Managed Virtual Desktop.

Azure Virtual Desktop is a cloud-based service from Microsoft Azure that empowers organisations to build and oversee virtual desktops and applications in the cloud. Virtual desktops like Azure are accessible from different devices even without an internet connection, allowing collaboration and flexibility among remote users. Additionally, organisations seeking our cloud hosting services at Macquarie Cloud Services can utilise Azure Virtual Desktop to enhance their cloud infrastructure and access a range of Azure products.

• Flexibility – Users can access their virtual desktops and applications from different devices and offline, promoting remote work and flexibility.
• Cost savings – Moving to a cloud-based solution can reduce hardware and maintenance costs. If the team is fully-remote, it eliminates the need to spend on office space for IT infrastructure.
• Scalability – Azure Virtual Desktop allows you to tweak your computing resources based on how your team or business is doing. As your user count increases, you can ramp up the computing power to ensure things run smoothly and respond quickly. On the flip side, you can dial down the resources during quieter times to save on costs. It’s like tailoring your setup to match the ebb and flow of your needs.
• Security – Virtual desktops come with robust built-in security features. These include multi-factor authentication and data encryption, effectively preventing unauthorised access and ensuring confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Compatibility – Azure Virtual Desktop provides support for Windows-based applications and legacy software. Whether your team uses modern productivity tools such as Microsoft Office Suite or legacy software like Vista applications that are no longer compatible with newer operating systems, you can still provide user access through Azure Virtual Desktop.
• Centralised management – Administrators can manage and configure resources from a centralised dashboard. Instead of interacting with multiple interfaces or systems, desktop managers can accomplish various tasks from one convenient location.

1. Install the Windows Virtual Desktop client – The first step to connecting to an Azure virtual desktop is to install the Windows Virtual Desktop client on the device that you want to use to access it. You can download the client from the Microsoft website.
2. Launch the client – Once you have installed the client, launch it by clicking on the desktop shortcut or searching for it in the Start menu.
3. Enter your credentials – When the client launches, you will be prompted to enter your credentials. Use the username and password that you set up when you created your Azure virtual desktop.
4. Select the virtual desktop – After you have entered your credentials, you will see a list of available virtual desktops. Select the one that you want to connect to and click the “Connect” button.
5. Connect to the virtual desktop – The client will now establish a connection to the virtual desktop, and you should see a login screen. Enter your login credentials and click “Log in” to access the virtual desktop.

1. Install the Windows Virtual Desktop client –  The first step to connecting to an Azure virtual desktop is to install the Windows Virtual Desktop client on the device that you want to use to access it. You can download the client from the Microsoft website.
2. Launch the client – Once you have installed the client, launch it by clicking on the desktop shortcut or searching for it in the Start menu.
3. Enter your credentials – When the client launches, you will be prompted to enter your credentials. Use the username and password that you set up when you created your Azure virtual desktop.
4. Select the virtual desktop – After you have entered your credentials, you will see a list of available virtual desktops. Select the one that you want to connect to and click the “Connect” button.
5. Connect to the virtual desktop – The client will now establish a connection to the virtual desktop, and you should see a login screen. Enter your login credentials and click “Log in” to access the virtual desktop.

1. Sign up for an Azure account – If you don’t already have an Azure account, you will need to sign up for one. You can do this by visiting the Azure website and following the instructions to create a new account.
2. Create a virtual machine – To create a virtual desktop, you will first need to create a virtual machine in Azure. You can do this by going to the Azure portal and clicking the “Create a resource” button. From there, search for “Windows Virtual Desktop” and select it. Follow the prompts to create a new virtual machine, including selecting the operating system, size, and location.
3. Set up the virtual machine – Once the virtual machine has been created, you will need to set it up by installing any necessary software and configuring the operating system. You can do this by using Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) to connect to the virtual machine and install the software you need.
4. Create a host pool – A host pool is a group of virtual machines that are used to host one or more virtual desktops. To create a host pool, go to the Azure portal and click on the “Windows Virtual Desktop” resource. From there, click on the “Host pools” tab and then click the “Add” button. Follow the prompts to create a new host pool, including selecting the virtual machine(s) that you want to include in the pool.
5. Create a user assignment – A user assignment is a mapping between a user and a virtual desktop. To create a user assignment, go to the Azure portal and click on the “Windows Virtual Desktop” resource. From there, click on the “User assignments” tab and then click the “Add” button. Follow the prompts to create a new user assignment, including selecting the host pool that you want to use and the user(s) who will have access to the virtual desktop.
6. Install the client – To use the virtual desktop, you will need to install the Windows Virtual Desktop client on the device that you want to use to access it. You can download the client from the Microsoft website.
7. Connect to the virtual desktop – Once you have installed the client, you can use it to connect to your virtual desktop by entering the necessary credentials and selecting the virtual desktop that you want to access.

Azure Virtual Desktop provides an easy-to-use virtual desktop experience that can be accessed from anywhere, on any device. It integrates with Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Intune to make it easy to deploy, manage and secure access to applications and data.

IT teams are using Azure Virtual Desktop to provide employees with a consistent experience across devices, reduce the need for expensive hardware investments, and give employees access from anywhere.

It also allows IT teams to create a virtual desktop environment for their users. This allows IT teams to create an environment where users can access applications and resources as if they were accessing them on a physical computer.