Executive Summary
A contemporary workplace without at least minimal tech infrastructure, such as PCs and laptops connected to a corporate Ethernet is hardly imaginable nowadays. At the same time, the practice demonstrates that the demands of technological modernity are continually evolving, and for many companies staying in line with the developments of technology is either organizationally impossible or financially unaffordable. Thus, statistically 44.59% of all global PC and laptop users still use Windows 7 and 7.65% have Windows XP installed, although Microsoft stopped maintaining the both operating system (VMWare, 2015).
Because advanced operating systems require renewal of a corporate subscription and a complete overhaul of hardware. In times of today’s economic turbulence and high competition intensity, a significant portion of small and medium-sized businesses are in urgent need of an effective alternative solution (Trend Micro, 2012). One of the most effective solutions in this regard is using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. This proposal evaluates the main benefits of a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), and concludes that it is an ideal solution for providing desktop flexibility for a company.
The Advantages of VDI
VDI is defined as a method of hosting a PC/laptop operating system on a virtual machine, which, in its turn, is stored on a centralized server run by a third party provider. As one of the most vivid examples of server-based computing, this option has the following advantages over a traditional system of storing OS and data on local servers:
Use of the same image on all machines
The cost of maintenance and managing a workstation significantly decreases when each user has the some image, and there is no need of making updates on each PC individually. Updating and patching the image is sufficient to have all working stations modernized (Scalable, 2016).
At the same time, there is small disadvantage in this context. Thus, some employees may require individual workstation features, such as professional software. Therefore, it will be necessary to create a new image of every ‘specialized’ employee, or to install all types of professional software on a common desktop, which can result and overloading the server capacities (VMWare, 2015).
In addition, if the common server malfunctions, the entire may not be able to work, while under a ‘traditional’ model, only one employee will be affected (VMWare, Cisco & EMC, 2009).
The costs of hardware purchase are lower in the long-run
Hardware-related expenses of a company is often the largest part of a budget, especially when the operations strongly depend on use of machines with high computational power. The use of VDI makes it possible to make a single large investment. If the company keeps expanding and hiring new employees, as well as adding mobile devices and remotely located working stations, the use of VDI can help to reduce such future expenses.
However, procuring a server machine is connected with high immediate outlays. In particular, the costs of purchasing a high-productive machine may sometimes exceed the costs of ten regular PC machines.
Running a single OS is less costly and managerially burdensome
Once all necessary applications are installed, patched and upgraded, the system required minimal intervention. Although it requires to provide additional training to the company IT system administrators, when they become skilled, their workload will significantly decrease (Scalable, 2016).
Enhanced Security
One any problem is diagnosed, it takes to make fixes on the data center only. In addition, when a traditional system is in use, hackers can penetrate into the network by breaking a single workstation, which is connected to the common system. Yet, the protection of VDI is much more sophisticated (VMWare, 2015), not to mention that cyber security department of the company can fully concentrate on ‘defending’ a single system.
Conclusions
Generally, it is inferable that VDI is a sound alternative to the conventional system of data storage. Although in some cases deployment of a VDI is fraught with some jeopardies, the benefits clearly outweigh the disadvantages. VDI is the best, cost friendly solution of reducing computational expenses of a company.
References
Scalable. (2016). Virtual desktop infrastructure – Planning overview. White Paper. Retrieved from http://ws.iaitam.org/Misc/Scalable_Virtual_WP.pdf
Trend Micro. (2012). VDI security for better protection and performance. White Paper. Web. Retrieved from: http://www.trendmicro.co.uk/media/wp/vdi-solution-whitepaper-en.pdf
VMWare, Cisco & EMC. (2009). Enterprise virtual desktop infrastructure: design for performance and reliability. White Paper. Web. Retrieved from http://www.emc.com/collateral/hardware/white-papers/white-paper-vdi.pdf
VMWare. (2015). VDI: A new desktop strategy a guide to managing user desktop environments with virtual desktop infrastructure. White Paper. Web. Retrieved from http://www.vmware.com/pdf/vdi_strategy.pdf
