Unlocking Legacy Applications: The Power of Moving to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
Today, organisations are constantly seeking ways to modernise their IT infrastructure and optimise their operations. One of the most significant challenges faced by many enterprises is the integration of legacy internal applications with modern, cloud-native devices. These applications, often critical to business operations, are not always designed to work seamlessly with the latest technologies. However, the advent of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) has revolutionised this space, offering a robust solution to bridge this gap.
The Challenge of Legacy Applications
Many businesses rely on legacy applications that were developed years ago and are integral to their daily operations. These applications were typically designed for on-premise environments and are not inherently compatible with cloud-native devices or modern operating systems. As a result, organisations often face difficulties in ensuring that these crucial applications can be accessed and utilised effectively in a contemporary digital environment.
The challenge is further compounded by the diverse range of devices used in today’s workplaces. From laptops and desktops to tablets and smartphones, employees expect to access their work tools from anywhere, at any time. Ensuring that legacy applications are available and functional on these varied devices is no small feat.
Enter Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a comprehensive desktop and application virtualisation service hosted in Microsoft Azure. AVD enables organisations to deliver virtual desktops and remote applications to any device, providing users with a consistent and secure experience. This service is particularly transformative when it comes to accessing legacy internal applications from cloud-native devices.
Seamless Integration with Legacy Applications
This is one of the standout features of AVD. By virtualising legacy applications, AVD ensures that they can be accessed and used on any device, regardless of the underlying operating system or hardware. This is achieved through remote desktop sessions, where the legacy applications run on virtual machines in the cloud, and users interact with them through a remote interface.
This approach eliminates the need for extensive modifications to the legacy applications, preserving their functionality while extending their accessibility. Users can now interact with these applications as if they were running locally on their devices, without any noticeable difference in performance or usability.
Enhanced Security and Compliance
AVD offers robust security features that help protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with industry regulations - of paramount importance when dealing with legacy applications that may not have been designed with modern security standards in mind.
With AVD, applications and data are hosted in the secure Azure environment, benefiting from Microsoft’s extensive security infrastructure. This includes features such as multi-factor authentication, conditional access, and advanced threat protection, which safeguard against unauthorised access and cyber threats. Furthermore, AVD’s centralised management capabilities allow IT administrators to enforce security policies consistently across all devices and users.
The Benefits of Moving to AVD
Cost Efficiency
One of the primary advantages of adopting AVD is the potential for significant cost savings. By moving to a virtual desktop infrastructure, organisations can reduce their reliance on expensive physical hardware and minimise the costs associated with maintaining and upgrading on-premise servers. AVD’s pay-as-you-go pricing model ensures that businesses only pay for the resources they use, allowing for greater financial flexibility and control.
Scalability and Flexibility
AVD enables organisations to adapt to changing business needs with ease. Whether expanding the workforce, supporting remote work, or accommodating seasonal variations in demand, AVD allows for rapid and seamless scaling of virtual desktops and applications. This flexibility ensures that businesses can respond quickly to new opportunities and challenges, without being constrained by their IT infrastructure.
Improved User Experience
Any IT solution needs to place the user first, and AVD excels in this regard. By providing a consistent and responsive interface, AVD ensures that users can access their applications and data from any device, at any time. This enhances productivity and collaboration, as employees can work seamlessly across different environments and locations.
Furthermore, AVD supports a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, allowing users to choose the devices that best suit their preferences and needs. This device-agnostic approach empowers employees to work in the way that is most comfortable and efficient for them.
Centralised Management and Simplified IT Operations
Managing a diverse IT environment can be complex and time-consuming. AVD streamlines IT operations by providing centralised management capabilities that simplify the administration of virtual desktops and applications. With AVD, IT administrators can easily deploy, configure, and monitor virtual environments, reducing the administrative burden and freeing up resources for more strategic initiatives.
Additionally, AVD integrates seamlessly with other Azure services, enabling organisations to leverage the full power of the Azure ecosystem. This integration allows for the automation of routine tasks, the implementation of advanced analytics, and the enhancement of overall IT efficiency.
Conclusion
The transition to Azure Virtual Desktop represents a significant step forward for organisations looking to modernise their IT infrastructure and enhance their operational efficiency. By enabling cloud-native devices to access legacy internal applications seamlessly, AVD bridges the gap between old and new technologies, providing a robust, secure, and flexible solution for today’s digital workplace. As businesses continue to evolve and embrace new technologies, AVD stands out as a powerful enabler of innovation and growth.
Embracing AVD is not just about staying current with technological trends; it’s about unlocking new possibilities, improving user experiences, and achieving operational excellence. The future of work is here, and at FluidOne, we can help you navigate the complexities of this dynamic landscape. If you are seeking a dedicated team to collaborate with you to bring your IT operations into the future, book time to talk to me about your plans.
About the Author
Mark Chinery is FluidOne's Enterprise IT Head of Consultancy and has 20+ years' experience in advising customers on strategic change including implementation of complex Microsoft infrastructure.
Mark particularly enjoys solving complex problems in End User Compute (desktop/mobile/security) and server infrastructure.
