To conserve resources and save money, Oklahoma CPAs are adopting a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to accomplish the same volume of work with a lower number of workstations.
In a VDI environment, desktop systems and applications are hosted on a virtual machine on a central server. Images of the desktops are then accessed by laptops, mobile devices, and other desktops once they connect to the host server.
Virtual desktops are not only a cost-effective way to make important company resources available and accessible: they also improve data security, make upgrades both easy and affordable and are simpler to manage and troubleshoot.
Improved Security
Cyber-threats appear on a daily basis, forcing a CPA firm’s IT department to work overtime applying security patches and tightening the settings on each company workstation. Virtual desktops allow security levels to be standardized on all virtualized work environments both quickly and efficiently.
VDIs also keep confidential client data more secure because all files reside on the remote servers, not the PCs and portable devices that the CPAs use. If a smartphone, tablet, or laptop is stolen, no data is at risk.
Cost-Effective Upgrades
In the past, if a firm wanted to upgrade its workstations, new equipment would have to be purchased, or the existing systems had to undergo expensive hardware and memory boosts. With virtual desktops, upgrading is a simple matter of pushing the Windows 10 image from the server to the network of company PCs.
Better System Management
Managing dozens, even hundreds, of workstations and mobile devices is both expensive and time-consuming. VDI enables central control of all desktops so that IT staff can monitor their usage and limit what is installed on them.
Deploying virtual desktops is fast and effortless compared to managing individual workstations, so Oklahoma CPA firms do not have to maintain a large and expensive IT staff.
Easier Troubleshooting
VDI images can be accessed from any workstation on the network, so any CPA experiencing hardware issues on their PC or device can move on to another one, log into the system, and access their files and applications immediately.
There is no need to wait for IT to do a device replacement, so workflow remains uninterrupted.
Bottom Line
Virtual desktops deliver immense value to Oklahoma CPAs because they create computing environments that are reliable, easier to maintain, and more secure. All virtual desktops are located on one server and managed/upgraded in batches, cutting down IT costs and making money available for other mission-critical resources.
CPAs can also access the VDI from any Internet-enabled device, supporting today’s ‘mobile workplace’ and even making it safer because no company files are stored on these devices.
Virtualizing all of a firm’s desktop systems enables it to scale to meet business needs, minimize operations cost, and improve performance, allowing it to remain competitive and profitable.
Has your firm implemented virtual desktops into its infrastructure yet? If so, have you noticed improvements in employee productivity and data security levels? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments box below.
And to follow up on the tips introduced in this article, be sure to download your free Information Technology Guide for Oklahoma City CPAs.
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