Moving to AVD Part 2: Citrix to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Imagine this: you're an IT manager tasked with overseeing a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) system that’s crucial to your company's daily operations. Every day feels like you're juggling endless server maintenance, navigating capacity issues, and squeezing your budget to its breaking point.

But what if there is a simpler, more flexible way to manage your virtual desktops?

During a recent conversation, Greg Dodge, Strategic Solution Architect at ProArch, painted a clear picture of how AVD is revolutionizing the way companies manage virtual desktops.

In his words, AVD brings a level of simplicity to virtual desktop management that Citrix VDI often struggles with. "We recommend starting with proof of concepts," Greg added. "It lets businesses explore AVD’s benefits without committing to a large upfront investment."

As companies navigate this transition, Jim and Greg's insights serve as a helpful guide to embracing modern technology and staying competitive in today’s digital landscape. Watch the full discussion or keep reading as we cover the benefits, challenges, and steps to make this transition.

Moving from Citrix to AVD: More Flexibility, Lower Costs

Citrix has long been a staple in the virtual desktop landscape, but Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is rapidly becoming a compelling alternative for organizations seeking greater flexibility, deeper cloud integration, and long-term cost savings. The key advantage? AVD offers the scalability and agility of cloud computing without the headaches of managing complex infrastructure.

Key Challenges with Citrix VDI

As Jim noted at the start of their discussion, "Citrix has been around forever, so it's a well-known company." However, this familiarity brings its own set of challenges. Greg identified several key issues organizations face when considering a transition from Citrix:

• High Costs: Maintaining Citrix's extensive infrastructure can lead to significant expenses that strain budgets. Jim acknowledged this, stating, “I gotta imagine a lot of companies think that's a pretty big, huge thing.”
• Complicated Setup: Deploying Citrix environments often requires specialized expertise, resulting in what Greg describes as “licensing headaches.” This complexity can slow progress and distract teams from their core objectives.
• Licensing Burden: As organizations grow, the licensing costs associated with Citrix can escalate quickly, adding to the burden on IT departments.

How AVD Offers a Better Solution

Transitioning to AVD can address many of these challenges. Jim and Greg shared several compelling reasons why AVD stands out:

• Cost Efficiency: Greg emphasized the advantages of AVD’s pay-as-you-go model, stating, “It’s a great way to kick the tires and not make a huge investment.” This approach helps businesses optimize resources and avoid unnecessary expenses.
• Simplified Management: AVD shifts virtual desktop management to the cloud, allowing companies to focus on strategic initiatives rather than reacting to server breakdowns. “Managing virtual desktops is no longer about firefighting; it’s about driving the business forward,” Greg explained.
• Seamless Scalability: With AVD, organizations can easily scale their virtual desktop environments based on actual usage. Greg noted, “You’re not stuck with a fixed infrastructure; you can easily scale up or down as your needs change.”
• Built-in Security: Security remains a top priority, and AVD comes equipped with robust features. “Microsoft handles all the security patches and updates, so you’re always protected,” Greg mentioned, emphasizing how AVD surpasses traditional Citrix VDI solutions.

The transition from Citrix to Azure Virtual Desktop isn’t just a change in technology; it’s a strategic move towards a more flexible, efficient, and secure future. As businesses look ahead, embracing a solution like AVD can alleviate the burdens of high costs, complicated setups, and licensing headaches.

Are you ready to explore how AVD can transform your virtual desktop experience? If you’re considering making the switch or simply want to learn more, feel free to reach out and consider an AVD proof of concept leveraging ProArch’s expertise as Microsoft AVD advanced specialists.

Our team at ProArch is here to support you every step of the way!