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By ProServeIT on July 19, 2022

Windows 365 vs. Azure Virtual Desktop: Choose the Right Cloud Solution

End-user computing is undergoing a major shift as the workforce becomes more decentralized, complex, and sophisticated than ever, leading to a need for compliant solutions that can meet industry standards and satisfy government regulations. At the same time, we see an increase in elasticity within organizations to accommodate specialized workloads.

In this blog you will find: 

Windows 365, Your IT Department's Best Friend

What is Azure Virtual Desktop and Its Benefits?

Guide to Choosing the Right Microsoft Cloud Solution

Microsoft offers two of the best cloud desktop services, Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, to fulfill these end-user computing demands. Which option is the best fit for you? This blog will examine some of the key differences between Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop to help you make your informed decision.

Have you also read?

 

Differences Between Windows 365 & Azure Virtual Desktop: Comparison

All you need to know about Azure Cloud Migration: Best Practices

All you need to know about the New Windows 365 OS!: A Cheat Sheet

Microsoft provides the best cloud solutions
for end-user computing

Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop are the two primary solutions from Microsoft for end-user computing. They aim to deliver a desktop experience virtually anywhere, with built-in intelligent security features. Both have cloud scale/agility due to Microsoft's platform. There is also flexibility when pricing out these services, making them suitable for any budget. So, which solution is right for you? Let's take a closer look at each one.

azure-fundamental-webinar

Windows 365, Your IT Department's Best Friend

Windows 365 is a complete software as a service (SaaS) solution that securely transmits your customized Windows desktop, applications, settings, and content from the Microsoft cloud to any device. Windows 365 is a complete end-to-end Microsoft service that includes all the features and benefits of Office 365 and Windows 10 Enterprise.

Windows 365 is the best choice if you want personalized Cloud PCs accessible from multiple devices. It's simple to acquire and set up, with a predictable per-user, per-month cost. It's also easily expandable in computing and storage, and no prior VDI knowledge or skills are required to get started.

You can find more information regarding Windows 365 in our previous blog: Windows 365 Can Be Your IT Department's Best Friend: Here's Why, including:

The Benefit of Using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure
Your IT Department's Best Friend: Windows 365
What is Windows 365 Solution
What Makes Windows 365 Good for Your Organization? 
Windows 365: Enterprise vs. Business

What is Azure Virtual Desktop and Its Benefits?

Azure Virtual Desktop provides a consistent, virtualized desktop experience across devices, locations, and networks. It's powered by the Microsoft Azure cloud platform and offers flexibility, security, and scalability. With Azure Virtual Desktop, you can easily connect to your work desktop from any device, anywhere.

Azure Virtual Desktop is a cost-effective way to access remote data securely. It is scalable, so businesses of all sizes can use it. Additionally, it enables flexible and secure remote work. This makes it an ideal solution for businesses that need to provide remote access to data.

If you would like to learn more about Azure Virtual Desktop, our previous blog; What is Azure Virtual Desktop and What are the Benefits?, has more information, including

💎 What is Azure Virtual Desktop?

💎 What is the difference between the traditional Virtual Desktop Infrastructure and Azure   Virtual Desktop?

💎 What are the benefits of using Azure Virtual Desktop?

💎 How do I start with Azure Virtual Desktop?

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Guide to Choosing the Right Microsoft Cloud Solution

When you choose a Microsoft cloud solution, you need to think about what your specific needs are. Do you need something simple like Windows 365? Or do you need something more flexible like Azure Virtual Desktop? You can check our guide to choosing the right Microsoft cloud solution here:

🍰 Windows 365 Optimized for Simplicity If you want personalized Windows 365 Cloud PCs that are available across devices, then this is the right solution for you. It's simple to buy and deploy and has predictable per-user, per-month pricing. Plus, it's easily scalable in computing and storage, and you don't need any VDI experience or skills to get started.

🕹 Azure Virtual Desktop Optimized for Flexibility If you're looking for more flexibility and control, then Azure Virtual Desktop might be a better solution for you. With this solution, you can have multi-session Windows VMs, and it's also great for data residency and geo requirements. Plus, it can stream remote apps and is ideal for specialized Graphics Processing Unit(GPU) and High-Performance Computing(HPC) workloads. And like Windows 365, it's also scalable in computing and storage.

Organizational Considerations

There are a few key factors to consider when choosing the appropriate Microsoft cloud solution for your business. Budget, IT skills, and IT priorities all come into play when deciding which option is best for your organization.

💵 Budget: Regarding Microsoft cloud solutions, Windows 365 is a per-user, per-month solution, while AVD is consumption-based. Per-user per month tends to be more expensive, but it can be a good option for organizations with limited IT resources. Consumption-based pricing is more flexible, making it an excellent choice for organizations that want to save money.

💻 IT Skills: If your organization has endpoint managers or general IT expertise, Windows 365 may be the better choice. However, if you have VDI/Azure expertise, AVD may be a better fit.

🗒️ IT priorities: If you're looking to shift IT resources to higher-value projects or create operational efficiencies, Windows 365 may be a better option. However, if you're looking to modernize your VDI infrastructure or gain cloud benefits from your existing VDI investments, AVD may be the right solution.

Ultimately, your organization's best Microsoft cloud solution depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you want to talk about your particular use cases in your scenario, our team of experts is always here to help. Connect with us and we'll guide you through the process of choosing the right Microsoft cloud solution for your business.


Content from: Azure Fundamentals Webinar Series by Bill Kastner

Edited by: Hyun-Jin Im and Betty Quon

Published by ProServeIT July 19, 2022
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