Why Cloud Desktops are The Next Big Thing in Business

Why Cloud Desktops are The Next Big Thing in Business

Everyone knows a desktop computer to be a personalized digital control panel with a familiar background on the monitor and a fast processor and memory modules doing the heavy lifting in the background. It is a program with an array of files and folders, a keyboard and mouse for navigation that grants us access to every other application or application file we need to use.

A cloud desktop is a desktop computer much like the one you are used to, except that it is virtual. This is different from another technology service, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). Since the early days of COVID-19, our helpdesk and sales lines have been flooding with calls from people just like you wanting more information on cloud desktops or hosted desktop solutions.

When the Coronavirus struck, many businesses and organizations were forced to close their offices down and asked their staff to work from home. Organizations wanted their staff to continue performing their duties as if they were physically in the office. This meant they needed to find a better and streamlined way to share work tools, applications, and files and coordinate their work. This was made easy by the use of cloud desktop technologies.

History of Cloud Desktops

Desktop virtualization, the precursor to virtual desktops technologies was invented by IBM in the early 1960s. The company had come up with the hypervisor to test its mainframe software and discovered the potential the technology promised. By the late 1990s and early 2000s, when processing and storage technology was much better and the internet was faster, cloud desktops made a comeback.

Cloud desktops are nothing new. Many people are surprised to learn that virtual desktops have been around for over 20 years now. They only shot to popularity after the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020, and the subsequent lockdowns forced businesses to explore alternative options for their workers to work remotely. Today, more organizations are taking stock of the overall value of cloud-based computing technologies and in particular cloud desktop solutions.

Microsoft Terminal and Citrix

The most dominant names in the industry back then were Microsoft with their Terminal Server and Citrix Servers. Organizations quickly discovered that they could save thousands of dollars investing in virtual computing resources rather than buy actual desktop hardware and software. For the first time, companies and organizations flocked to Terminal Server and Citrix to help their staff work remotely from home outside office hours. Companies with remote offices could use these server services to connect to applications hosted in the office.

There was a problem with cloud desktops back then, though. For starters, the technology required expensive servers to be set up. It also required complex networking technologies – both hardware and software – which were lacking 20 years ago.

Since the technology was still pretty new and unreliable, it also needed many hours of support from the IT department to run effectively. Ultimately, this proved a bit too much for most businesses and organizations and Microsoft Server, Citrix, and other virtual computing technologies. It was clear that the cloud desktop was way ahead of its time.

Today’s Cloud Desktop Services

Computing technologies in 2021 are nothing like they were in 1999. The complexities that made various software incompatible are gone, the server hardware is much cheaper, and networking equipment is more sophisticated.

Today’s cloud desktop, loosely referred to as Desktop as a Service (DaaS), is a hosting service on steroids. Think of your desktop, with its operating system and all applications and files hosted in the cloud. As you would expect, cloud-hosted computing is more versatile with up-to-date software that delivers a user experience comparable to or better than that of a local desktop computer.

The service is hosted and managed by a third-party Managed Service Provider (MSP) such as CTI Technology (link website). Our clients pay a budgeted recurring monthly fee. With the cloud desktop service, business owners do not have focus on the management, licensing, and other demands of local computing. Everything is monitored and maintained on the back end by experienced IT experts to ensure the business is secure and running smoothly.

Why Cloud Desktop is Ideal for Modern Businesses

The number of businesses and organizations exploring the potential of cloud desktop computing today is impressive. It is not too optimistic to say that the corporate market is ripe for this technology as more businesses learn of its benefits and capabilities. Here are five of the top reasons why cloud desktop could be the next big thing in business.

Little Upfront Investment

Like most cloud services today, cloud desktop computing requires little to no upfront investment. There is also no costly hardware to maintain, no software to update and restart constantly, and no unpredictable costs.

Anytime, Anywhere Access

Cloud desktops make it possible for staff to access company resources from home at any time. Businesses do not need to invest a lot in networking or remote access tools because they come packaged with a desktop service subscription.

Cloud Desktops Are Secure

Security is one of the core selling points of cloud desktop services. While data stored can be accessed at any time from anywhere, the data is technically not stored in any particular computer. The data cannot be stolen or lost, and it is much easier to protect it from malware marauding online.

Streamlined Management and Organization

Cloud desktops make day-to-day operations easier for busy businesses and organizations. This is because they enhance collaboration, streamline processes, and bolsters management efficiency. All these benefits come without the hassle of running and maintaining a server, and staff gets to use their trusted business apps such as Microsoft Office suite.

Flexibility and Scalability

Cloud desktops are both flexible and scalable. Since the cloud is an on-demand platform, a business can quickly set up accounts for new users and order more storage or bandwidth when needed. The platform is easy to learn and use and straightforward to manage. Any new employee who is computer literate can quickly learn to use a cloud desktop service, eliminating the need for management to provide training.

Conclusion

While cloud desktop technology promises a lot, the benefits your business enjoys will boil down to the third-party cloud service provider you choose. CTI Technology takes pride in its consistent and highly rated cloud desktop services.

We have the expertise, experience, and determination to help streamline how your business runs. If you are interested in cloud desktop technologies and would like to know more, reach out to CTI Technology and schedule your 15-minute virtual meeting to pick our brains.