Rethinking Desktop Delivery: Why Windows 365 Is Changing the Game for Modern Organisations
As businesses look to simplify operations, enable hybrid work, and tighten security, the way they deliver desktops is under the spotlight. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) has long been dominated by complex, costly solutions like Citrix and VMware Horizon. But in 2025, a new player has changed the landscape: Windows 365.
If you haven’t explored it yet — or if you're still weighing up your options — now is the time to understand how Windows 365 fits into the picture, and why it might just be the future of desktop computing for your organisation.
What Is Windows 365?
Windows 365 is Microsoft’s cloud-based PC offering — a persistent, personal Windows experience streamed to any device, anywhere. It runs on top of Microsoft’s Azure platform, but crucially, you don’t need to manage Azure directly. You simply assign a licence, provision a Cloud PC, and let users log in from anywhere — securely, quickly, and with full policy control via Microsoft Intune.
This makes it ideal for small and medium-sized businesses that don’t have the appetite (or the team) to manage traditional VDI stacks — and for enterprise organisations looking to reduce complexity.
Windows 365 vs Traditional VDI: A Fresh Approach
Let’s be honest — solutions like Citrix and VMware Horizon have long offered flexibility and performance, but they come with a heavy operational cost. You need infrastructure, management layers, load balancers, brokers, profile containers, and complex patching and update schedules.
Windows 365 is different. There’s no infrastructure to maintain. No image to build and constantly update. No brokers to configure. And critically, no upfront investment. It’s a true SaaS solution — per-user, per-month pricing, with automatic updates, fast provisioning, and full integration into Microsoft 365.
For organisations already living in the Microsoft ecosystem, it’s a seamless fit.
Dedicated vs Frontline: Which Model Is Right for You?
Windows 365 comes in two key models: Dedicated and Frontline.
- Dedicated: Each user gets a Cloud PC with guaranteed uptime, persistent state, and resources. Ideal for knowledge workers, remote staff, and users who need 24/7 access.
- Frontline: A more cost-effective model designed for shift-based workers. Users share a single licence pool, accessing their Cloud PC during their scheduled shift (up to 3 users per licence). It’s great for contact centres, healthcare settings, education, or any team working in shifts.
Both variants offer persistent desktops — meaning files, settings, and apps are always there, no matter which device the user logs in from.
Introducing Windows 365 Link: The Smart Terminal for the Cloud PC Era
Another exciting evolution is Windows 365 Link — a new category of hardware designed specifically to access Cloud PCs. Think of it as a thin client reimagined for the modern era: sleek, cost-effective, and tightly integrated with Microsoft 365.
These devices offer secure boot, policy enforcement, and lightning-fast login to your Cloud PC. And unlike traditional thin clients, they’re optimised for Microsoft’s cloud stack from the ground up.
They’re ideal for frontline deployments, shared spaces, and public access points where you want minimal configuration but maximum control.
Try It for Yourself — Coffee, Cake, and Cloud PCs
We believe that once you see Windows 365 in action, you’ll understand the shift that’s happening. That’s why we’re running drop-in events at both our Barnstaple and Taunton offices, just email ask@integy.co.uk
You can:
- Sit down with one of our architects
- Experience the difference between Dedicated and Frontline
- Get hands-on with Windows 365 Link devices
- Discuss your use case — over coffee and cake, of course
There’s no cost, no obligation — just a real-world demo and a chance to ask the questions that matter to you.
Our Offers: Free Trials, Free Setup, and Discounted Licensing
We’re also making it easier than ever to evaluate and adopt Windows 365:
- Free Trial: Test up to 3 Windows 365 Cloud PCs for 30 days — no strings attached
- Free Production Deployment: If you subscribe to 25 or more Cloud PCs, we’ll configure and productionise your Windows 365 environment at no cost. We can also help you make the move to Intune if you haven't already!
- 10% Off Licensing: Commit to your Windows 365 rollout before November 2025 and get an additional 10% discount on all licences
Modern Desktops, Delivered Simply
Windows 365 represents a fundamental shift in how we think about desktops — from something you build and maintain, to something you subscribe to and simply use. For organisations looking to modernise, reduce risk, and empower their users, it’s an opportunity too good to ignore.
Ready to experience the future of desktop delivery?
Come see us. Try it for free. Let’s chat. ask@integy.co.uk
Call us today on 01392 796525 or Email us at ask@integy.co.uk
