Executive Summary
ACME, a fictitious organisation with 500 staff members, is considering the adoption of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) as their remote desktop solution. This document provides a simple comparison of AVD with solutions such as Citrix and VMware Horizon, focusing on business benefits, user benefits, and cost benefits.
There are costs and complexity that have not been included in this document as it relates to all technologies. This document should only be used as an entry guide in relation to total cost of ownership.
Introduction
Background
ACME is a dynamic organisation with 500 staff members who require secure and efficient remote desktop access. The organisation aims to address the challenges of remote work and seeks a solution that combines scalability, security, and cost-effectiveness.
Objectives
- Evaluate the business, user, and cost benefits of adopting Azure Virtual Desktop.
- Conduct a thorough comparison of Azure Virtual Desktop with solutions (Citrix and Horizon) running on-premises or in Azure.
- Calculate a summary for ACME based on specific cost components.
Business Benefits
Scalability
AVD offers seamless scalability, allowing for resource adjustments based on demand. This flexibility accommodates varying concurrency levels.
Enhanced Security
AVD provides robust security features, such as multi-factor authentication and Azure Active Directory integration, ensuring data protection and compliance.
Disaster Recovery
AVD simplifies disaster recovery through Azure’s built-in features, ensuring business continuity.
Centralised Management
AVD streamlines management with centralised controls, reducing administrative overhead and ensuring consistency.
User Benefits
Accessibility
Users gain the ability to access their desktops and applications from anywhere, enhancing remote work flexibility.
Consistency
AVD ensures a consistent user experience, improving productivity.
Performance
Leveraging Azure’s infrastructure, AVD delivers high-performance computing even on low-spec devices.
Availability
AVD offers high availability, ensuring 24/7 access for all users.
Cost Benefits
Capital Expenditure Reduction
AVD eliminates upfront hardware investments, reducing capital expenditure.
Pay-as-You-Go Model
AVD operates on a pay-as-you-go model, optimising resource utilisation and reducing unnecessary expenses.
IT Labour Efficiency
AVD streamlines IT operations, reducing labour costs.
Licensing Optimisation
AVD simplifies licensing, potentially resulting in cost savings.
Comparison of Azure Virtual Desktop with Competing Solutions
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
| Pro’s | Con’s |
|---|---|
| Scalability | Dependency on Internet |
| Enhanced Security | Learning Curve |
| Disaster Recovery | Subscription Costs |
| Centralised Management | |
| Accessibility | |
| Consistency | |
| Performance | |
| Availability | |
| Cost Efficiency |
Citrix
| Pro’s | Con’s |
|---|---|
| Mature Solution | Complex Implementation |
| High Customisation | Costly Licensing |
| Security Features | Maintenance Overhead |
| Advanced Monitoring | |
| High Performance |
VMware Horizon
| Pro’s | Con’s |
|---|---|
| VMware Integration | Complexity |
| High Performance | Costly Licensing |
| Security | Limited Cloud Support |
| Management Tools | |
| VDI Flexibility |
Summary
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) stands out as the preferred choice for ACME Inc due to its comprehensive advantages:
- Scalability: AVD offers seamless scalability, accommodating varying concurrency levels efficiently.
- Enhanced Security: Robust security features ensure data protection and compliance.
- Disaster Recovery: Simplified backup and disaster recovery guarantee business continuity.
- Centralized Management: Central controls reduce administrative overhead, ensuring consistency.
- Accessibility: Users gain remote work flexibility.
- Consistency: AVD offers a consistent user experience.
- Performance: Leveraging Azure’s infrastructure ensures high performance.
- Availability: AVD offers 24/7 access.
- Cost Efficiency: It reduces capital expenditure, optimises resource utilisation, and streamlines IT operations.
To reveal cost estimates and a full download of this business case please complete the form below:
- Cost Estimation for Azure Virtual Desktop
- Cost Estimation for Citrix on Azure Virtual Desktop
- Cost Estimation for Citrix On-Premises
- Cost Estimation for VMware Horizon on Azure VMware Solution
- Cost Estimation for VMware Horizon On-Premises