Virtual Desktops - Should you be doing it and if so, why?

Bruce Allison

Steve Moran

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Virtual Desktops A simple, flexible and affordable approach to IT Steve Moran IT Director, Mapx Systems

16-September-2014

Agenda • What is a Virtual Hosted Desktop?

• Why would I want to use a Hosted Desktop or Managed IT service?

• The Changing Environment of Workplace IT • What is the path to move to a Virtual Desktop environment?

• About Mapx Systems

What is a Virtual Hosted Desktop?

What is a Virtual Hosted Desktop?

• Quite Simply it is a Windows Desktop • It operates exactly like your existing PC/laptop desktop • It and the network around it are hosted remotely, usually in a Data Centre • You interact with the desktop over an internet or network connection

• It can be managed internally or via a Service Provider • The data you use resides within the Data Centre or a Cloud

Windows

Web

LOB

Office Productivity Hosted Email

Disaster Recovery Infrastructure as a Service Data Storage and Backup

IT Services

Hosted Desktop

Windows

Web

LOB

Office Productivity Hosted Email

Disaster Recovery Infrastructure as a Service Data Storage and Backup

IT Services

What is a Virtual Hosted Desktop?

Desktop Access from:• Traditional Desktop PC • Smartphone / Tablet • Thin Client

Service Provider: • • • • • •

Hardware Security Maintenance Backup Licensing Support

Public versus Private Cloud Hosting

Why would I want to use a Hosted Desktop or Managed IT service?

Why would I want to use a Hosted Desktop?

• • • • •

Hardware Maintenance Backup Licensing Support

Why would I want to use a Hosted Desktop?

• Hardware • • • •

No need to plan for Capex Hardware is automatically refreshed Service providers can provide hardware resiliency Your data is housed in the best location possible in terms of - Power - Physical & Network Security - Network Resiliency

Why would I want to use a Hosted Desktop?

• Maintenance • Automated Software updates & patching • Access to new versions of software • Regular Software Application updates (e.g MYOB tax tables)

• Backup • Software, Hardware included • Provided and monitored by Service Provider • Off-site data storage and retrieval

• Provides a level of Disaster Recovery

Why would I want to use a Hosted Desktop?

• Licensing • Microsoft Licensing included – based on named users • Flexible month to month licensing allows adjustment up and down • Includes Software Assurance – always licensed to latest versions

• Support • Operational Support included with Service Levels Agreements • No more IT vendor on-site/travel costs • Only pay for support you need (New software)

• Self Service options – (password reset / new user)

Why would I want to use a Hosted Desktop?

• Total Cost of Ownership • Shifts IT Costs from Capex plus Opex to a true predictable Opex model • Existing hardware useful life can be extended / a refresh delayed • Terminal or thin clients can be used to replace PC’s

• Enable BYOD offering user choice and hardware cost savings • Enable remote working and increased productivity • Costs start from less than $100 per month per user • Gartner reported in 2011 that server based virtual desktops can represent between a 12% to 27% saving over a traditional PC deployment:http://web.citrix.com/go/m2l/hi/pdf/GartnerReport.pdf

Why would I NOT to use a Hosted Desktop?

What scenarios aren’t best for a Virtual Desktop • Regional telecommuting in areas of poor internet connectivity • Where direct interaction with manufacturing or specialist equipment is required

What are other things to consider • Your Service Provider procedures for handling of data • On-boarding procedures and more importantly exit procedures

The Changing Environment of Workplace IT

Users Want Freedom to access desktops, individual apps, and data

from any of their devices, from any location

1-2 Days a week working remotely

3+ Devices per employee

47% Using personal devices for work

Bring Your Own Device - Continues to Grow

2014 Planning Guide for Mobility – Gartner, October 2013

On Top of Existing IT Challenges You Face • Unpredictable IT expenses that are difficult to forecast

• Reliant on the “IT guy” for everything—apps, passwords, updates • Lacking a business continuity plan to keep their business running • Wanting to use your tablet and phone for more than just email • Workers cant be fully productive outside of the office

SMB Cloud Trends

71%

Need solutions for mobile workstyles

60%

Don’t have the resources to implement new technology solutions

56%

Prefer a single source IT solution

50%

Think cloud is important to their business Source: Microsoft 2012 SMB Cloud Adoption Study, Edge Strategies

What is the path to moving to a Virtual Desktop Environment?

What is the path to move to a Virtual Desktop environment?

1. Start with basic IT services 2. Add Office and email apps 3. Consider a hybrid setup

4. Enable a full private cloud setup with managed servers / virtual desktops

Uptake of Cloud Services in the Enterprise From Microsoft Q1 2014 reported earnings

Cost of Doing Nothing • IT spending and complexity inhibits business growth • Less focus on core business activities • The business is exposed to disruptions and disasters • Workers remain tethered to the office

• Can’t attract top talent outside your region • Your competition can gain an advantage

About Mapx Systems Cloud Service Provider

• 100% Australian owned Cloud Service Provider • Formed in 2010, based in Sydney & now launching in Singapore • Utilise Equinix SY3 Data Centre in Sydney • Provide Managed Private Clouds with Virtual Desktop via Citrix • Directors have a 15+ year history of providing on-demand solutions • Providing what has traditionally been an Enterprise costed solution to Small to Medium Businesses • Also provide consultancy services for Cloud adoption / Hybrid Cloud

MapX – Best of breed Solutions & Partners • We only use industry-proven technologies in our systems • We are a Microsoft Partner, Citrix Service Provider, Amazon Technology Partner as well as a Microsoft Office 365 and Google Apps Authorised Support Partner

Example of Customer Adoption Mortgage Processing Company with 60 staff, 5 sites across Australia and back-office in Manila. Reliance on single IT provider leading to data loss and service instability.

Solution A centralised Private Cloud with virtual Desktop Access via Citrix

Result ᵒ Removed the risk position of using a smaller IT provider ᵒ Improved reliability, uptime, availability of service

ᵒ Improved of desktop experience for offshore users ᵒ Provided scalable and predictable IT costs per user

MapX / Citrix - Virtual Desktop Partnership

Proven solution by over 2,600+ partners

Same technology used by 99% of Fortune 500 companies

Receiver delivers apps and desktops to over 1.5 Billion devices

Get started on Your Move to the Cloud

Assess MapX assesses objectives, requirements, existing investments and the readiness of your organization

Design MapX creates a well-designed strategy and plan for migrating to Virtual Desktops that leverages existing resources and minimizes impact

Deploy MapX builds, tests and deploys the solution starting with simple workloads to ensure that platform and automated operations meet your expectations

Virtual Desktop with Mapx Systems

1

Simple, self-service IT that gives you freedom and flexibility

2

Pay for only what you use as a predictable monthly expense

3

Ensure your business can whether a disruption and your employees can stay productive

WORK BETTER. LIVE BETTER.

For your free cloud readiness assessment Please contact Bruce Allison bruce.allison@commscloud.com.au