I have so many questions about Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly Windows Virtual Desktop).
Fortunately, I have a friend like Tatiana Kovulchuk, Deputy Head of Workplace Services at Fujitsu who was able to answer my questions and enlighten me with some great anecdotes. At the risk of offending every guest I have had on my YouTube series over the past several years, Tatiana was one of my favorite guests!
What is Azure Virtual Desktop?
What I wanted to know is what does Azure Virtual Desktop do and is there anything it doesn’t do? Is it just a server operating system hosted in a cloud or is there more?
Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft’s app and desktop virtualization platform that runs in Microsoft Azure and has exclusive features designed to help move Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) workloads into the public cloud or build new environments. Unique virtual machine types include Windows 10 Enterprise Multi-session which can host multiple user sessions with maximum application compatibility — all without the for need for RDS Client Access Licenses (CALs). There’s also the option of Windows 7 Extended Security Updates (ESU) to continue running this legacy OS when required in the most secure and manageable way possible in Azure. Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop landing page has all the additional details.
And what about the user’s settings and “persona”? Additionally, what is she seeing as the biggest and most popular use case “in the field”
Speaking of “fields” Tatiana told me that I need a country house to boost my productivity! What? Are you listening @theLizFuller?
But then my inquiring mind wanted to know about “carbon footprints” and if the cloud really means reduced energy consumption? Tatiana’s answer surprised me. Spoiler alert #1: Yes, you can reduce the carbon footprint by leveraging clouds like Microsoft Azure, but just because you move workloads to the cloud does not mean they stop consuming resources when the user pushes themselves away from their desk. Spoiler alert #2: Citrix Autoscale is essential to power these workloads down.
But then, just when I thought I couldn’t absorb more from this expert on cloud computing, she proceeds to tell me about this amazing project, converting 18,000 employees to remote workers seemingly overnight. BOOM! Mind blown.
Did I get the country house Tatiana told me I needed? Keep tuning in for that one, no spoiler alert here.
Learn how to achieve more with Citrix and Azure Virtual Desktop.
