Cloud Workstation Solution
Bring office dynamics into the virtual realm with Windows cloud workstations
Cloud workstations are a critical component of remote and hybrid work. They bring into the digital realm many real-world dynamics which have so far been exclusive to office spaces. These can be asynchronous communications, real-time document collaboration, whiteboards, project management boards.
What is a Cloud Workstation?
A cloud workstation is an online environment in which employees can collaborate and create regardless of their physical location or the devices they use. It is a technology framework which brings together applications, data, and secure communications into a single cloud workstation solution. By hosting all components in a cloud environment, employees get access to Windows cloud workstations with nothing else than a device and internet connectivity.
Benefits of Using a Cloud Workstations
Cloud workstation solutions bring forward a unique set of benefits such as:
- Access to a Global Workforce: Rather than having a limited base pool of talent based on a single location, a cloud workstation solution can bring together minds from all over the world.
- Full Audit Trails: Every event in the digital space leaves its own time-stamped footprint. This ensures all actions are recorded such that we can always look back on what happened, and provide evidence where required.
- Operational Continuity:: Built on enterprise-grade infrastructure, a cloud workstation boasts >99% uptime and can be accessed from any device and any place.
Create a Cloud Workstation using Deskop-as-a-Service (DaaS)
DaaS are a key enabler for creating Cloud Workstation. They enable remote work and collaboration by hosting applications in a cloud environment, delivering a full desktop experience to employees as-a-service/through a web portal.
Cloud workstation solutions offer benefits such as:
- Less Physical Hardware: Rather than investing copious amounts of CapEx in depreciated physical assets such as laptops, desktop computers, or other peripherals, company resources can be accessed using lightweight or personal devices.
- Enhanced Security: Even by connecting through the public internet, cloud workstations use virtual private networks to encrypt traffic to and from the cloud infrastructure.
- Guaranteed Uptime: Cloud workstation providers are solely responsible for ensuring 99.95% uptime and employ many disaster recovery and redundancy technologies.
- Centralized IT: All virtual workstation components, from applications to data and virtual infrastructure are hosted in the cloud and centrally managed by the IT functions, offering greater control and better policy enforcement.
- Easy Onboarding: The processes of bringing in new employees or contractors can be fully automated, providing access to the resources without having to deal with hardware management.
- Anywhere, any device: Resources can be accessed regardless of location, through either a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or light Raspberry Pi device.
How DaaS Compares to Other Cloud Workstation Solution
| Сloud Workstation | Physical Workspace | Traditional VDI | VPN | Standalone Applications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Description | Fully-integrated cloud workstation hosted by a third-party | The good old fashioned office with on-premise model infrastructure | A centrally managed cloud-based work environment | Secure communications channel for remote access | Standalone applications used on an ad-hoc basis |
 End-to-end | High Cloud workstation contains a suite of applications to encourage worker collaboration and seamless remote work | High Physical workspaces accommodate almost all types of business activities | High VDI solutions run images with full application suites | Low Many use cases may not be available due to the limited application features | Low Offer secure channels, but applications must be hosted and ran independently |
 Cost | Medium Cloud workstation solutions can be deployed without upfront investment and easily scaled on-demand with pay-as-you-go model | High Renting and maintaining spaces comes at a premium cost | High Traditional VDI typically requires deployment and maintenance of sophisticated server setups | Medium Without a clear strategy, costs of standalone apps may pile on top of each other | Medium VPNs vary widely in price depending on vendors and are a cost added on top of the business applications |
 Security | High Secure communication channels and adequate access controls ensure enterprise-grade security | Medium Unauthorized personnel and printed documents are security liabilities | High VDI environments can only be accessed by users with adequate credentials and authorizations | Medium Despite a lack of integrations, each application has its own access control modules | High VPNs extend corporate networks to the end user, encrypting traffic on the public internet |
 Efficiency | High Accessible from any location and any device, DaaS are highly efficient cloud workstation solutions | Medium Collaboration comes naturally in a physical workspace, but is inefficient in terms of tracking and logging | High VDI solutions can be accessed from anywhere and from any device | Low Collaboration in a digital environment without application integrations is difficult and time consuming | Medium Without an end-to-end solution, the security benefits of a VPN do not deliver an efficient remote working experience |
 Required Maintenance | Low Maintenance typically carried out by cloud solution provider | High Property and physical device maintenance are expensive | High Image lifecycle and support offered by solution provider | High Each application must be maintained and updated individually | Low Solution providers offers ongoing support |