When unexpected events like the CrowdStrike outage, extreme weather, or ransomware attacks happen, desktops can become unusable, disrupting operations and impacting productivity.
That’s exactly the scenario that a recent webinar, hosted by the Greg Dodge Strategic Solutions Architect and Jim Spignardo Strategic Solutions Consultant at ProArch, aimed to prevent. They showcased how Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Nerdio can help in providing business continuity and disaster recovery capabilities.
Keep reading for a summary of the discussion and click here to watch the full webinar.
Why Azure Virtual Desktop and Nerdio?
Greg reminded us of a recent close call: “The recent CrowdStrike incident really served as a stark reminder of what could go wrong.”
So, what’s the solution? Azure Virtual Desktop and Nerdio. Together, they provide a powerful solution that supports rapid recovery during outages like ransomware attacks or system failures.
The key advantage of these solutions lies in their ability to quickly provide secure, cloud-based access, even when your physical infrastructure is compromised. They ensure business continuity by allowing users to access critical workloads and potentially even data from any device, keeping productivity intact no matter the situation.
Here’s why this combination stands out:
- Streamlined Disaster Recovery: When severe weather disrupts access to your office, Azure Virtual Desktop keeps your team productive. Enhanced by Nerdio’s Golden Image technology, it allows employees to work from any internet-connected computer, accessing their familiar desktop environment remotely. This flexible solution ensures business continuity and streamlines disaster recovery, providing a resilient virtual workspace for today’s unpredictable world.
- Business Continuity: Nerdio and Azure Virtual Desktop ensure uninterrupted operations during disruptions like ransomware or system failures. Their cloud-based infrastructure allows quick recovery and secure access to critical workloads from any device. This eliminates the need for costly, time-consuming hardware setups, making business continuity both efficient and cost-effective for SMBs and enterprises alike.
- Rapid Scalability and Deployment: AVD’s ability to scale resources quickly is a significant advantage. “In about 30 minutes, you can spin up an environment supporting 250 users,” demonstrating how swiftly you can adapt to changing needs. Whether using web browsers, thin clients, or traditional workstations, users can access their virtual desktops seamlessly.
The best part? These aren’t just theoretical solutions. Jim shared a real-life save: “We’ve had customers during the CrowdStrike outage where this was deployed as the solution to keep them operational.” It’s like having a fire extinguisher – you hope you never need it, but you’re incredibly grateful when you do.
Greg chimed in with another example: “We were able to go from zero to 15,000 users using Azure Virtual Desktop… in a matter of about four hours.” That’s like rebuilding an entire city’s worth of offices in the time it takes to watch a couple of movies!
Is it really a cost-effective solution?
Now, you might be thinking, “This sounds great, but what about my budget?” Jim reassured that a robust disaster recovery solution like this to sit idle if you should need it costs, “typically less than $100 a month.”
The solution is particularly cost-effective when compared to traditional disaster recovery methods, which often require maintaining duplicate hardware or expensive hot/warm sites. The pay-per-use model and automated scaling help optimize costs, while the quick deployment time minimizes downtime during incidents.
Greg also highlights the potential for insurance coverage: “Many insurance companies won’t cover the cost of maintaining a standby environment, but they often cover recovery services. In case of a ransomware attack or outage, you can activate these environments, and insurance will likely cover the costs to restore your system to a known good state. Keep this in mind for your recovery plan.”
What’s Next?
Azure Virtual Desktop enables secure, flexible remote work environments. This cloud-based solution overcomes traditional infrastructure limitations, empowering organizations to adapt to modern work paradigms seamlessly. Leverage a trusted Microsoft partner like ProArch, you can make the most out of your Azure Virtual Desktop deployment and unlock new levels of efficiency and flexibility for your organization.
Ready to take potential next steps towards creating better resiliency for your organization?
Here’s your game plan:
- Schedule a call with ProArch to discuss specific needs and run budget numbers
- Consider an AVD and Nerdio proof of concept
- Leverage ProArch’s expertise as Microsoft AVD advanced specialists
For more insights, download the full recording and slide deck of the webinar.
ProArch is a top Microsoft Partner with advanced specialization in Azure. Our Azure Migration Services have helped hundreds of organizations successfully move to the cloud. Contact us.