How Cloud Desktops Can Help Businesses During and After the Pandemic

How Cloud Desktops Can Help Businesses During and After the Pandemic

The pandemic has certainly changed a lot of things. From the way we interact with other people to the way we work. Nowadays, working remotely has become widely accepted as an option for workers. Everything seems good, but can cloud desktops make remote working better for businesses?

When the “new normal” kicked in, giving employees the option to work for home was initially set to protect them from the pandemic. It certainly helped curb the spread of the virus but it also opened up a lot of things business-wise.

Businesses found out that employees that work from home turned out to be more productive compared to when they were working in the office. However, it also poses its own problems ranging from connectivity, collaboration, and security. Not to mention the physical and mental consequences of being cooped up inside a house for hours.

While there are a lot of tools available out there that can solve any one of the issues arising from remote work, there’s one technology that is seemingly made for remote work – Cloud Desktops.

What are cloud desktops and how can they help businesses adjust to the new normal?

What is a Cloud Desktop?

Ever wished you could bring your workstation from the office anywhere you go? Yeah, not just at home but anywhere as long as you have an Internet connection? That would be the dream, right? No more emailing yourself just to get a copy of a file so you can work at home.

In the new normal, workers need to be able to work outside of the office but they also need to “take the office with them” in order to work effectively. While you can always choose to send your workstations with them at home, that might not be a good idea in the long run.

So what do you do? Well, why don’t you take their workstation to the cloud so they can access it anytime and anywhere as long as they are online?

A cloud desktop, or virtual workspace as others might call it, is an IT solution that allows one to access their apps, files, and folders from any device. Say goodbye to relying on a physical computer.

When you use a cloud desktop, the operating system, files, applications, and personal settings are placed in a cloud server. Here, you can access it from any computer and even on your mobile device.

Should My Company Switch To Cloud Desktops?

The quick answer here is it depends. Businesses have different needs and a solution that works for one may not work for another.

The long answer is to list down the many benefits of cloud desktop technology and for you to weigh whether it is worth it or not. So let’s break them all down.

Increased Productivity

A lot of the productivity in the workplace is hampered by hardware issues. This issue gets worse in the remote setting as different people have different personal computers. However, when you use cloud desktops, your employees will experience consistent desktop performance. This means the speed and power of their physical devices will not be a big factor (unless they are using a 15-year old device that is). Users can also use different devices should one fail. Being able to access all files from anywhere and through any device also affects worker’s efficiency in a positive way.

Mobile Accessibility

Nowadays, more and more people are relying on their mobile phones as their secondary or main work device. In a study in 2017, researchers found out that over 70% of employees expend at least 2 hours a week accessing company data and information through their phones. These numbers were expected to rise year after year but they increased significantly due to the pandemic.

Through cloud desktop technology, you can safely implement a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy for your business that will allow your workers to access company data from any device they own. Because the data stays in the cloud and not on their physical device, this makes the setup more secure and less likely to be a cause for data leakage.

Quick and Painless Alternative to Cloud Migration

Taking your business to the cloud is always a good idea but not all your applications or tools are cloud-ready. For such moments, getting a cloud desktop is a better option. With a cloud desktop, you are actually using a “computer” that is hosted virtually, you can use just about any program on it. You also don’t have to worry about specifications because your provider can easily adjust as needed.

Reduce Capital Spending

One of the many reasons why businesses are tempted to go to the cloud is the savings they get. By using cloud-based services, you help your business save money from not spending on new workstation purchases, upgrades, or additional devices. You also save on not getting expensive storage devices as your company data is stored on the cloud.

Another way your business can save is when you have workers working on shifts. Instead of getting two people on different shifts with their own workstations, you can let them share one. They can just log onto their own personal cloud desktop environment.

So what do you think? Will your business benefit from choosing to use a cloud desktop? Note that different businesses with different processes might need special considerations when choosing to go down the cloud desktop route. It is always best to consult with an IT service provider first before making a decision. You need to ensure that the transition will be seamless with as few hiccups as possible. This can only be possible if you are working with a seasoned IT solutions provider who gets all bases covered.

If you are a business around Boston and New England then you may want to talk to Radius Executive IT Solutions for your cloud desktop migration needs. With over 75 years of collective experience in providing custom IT solutions to different businesses, you can rest assured knowing Radius has your back. Call us today and schedule a consultation so we can talk about how we can take your business to the next level.