Case Study
Optimising Virtual Desktop Solutions: Balancing Cost and Performance
The Challenge
As their virtual desktop needs evolved, a healthcare organisation found that their existing solution was no longer a cost-effective fit. Following a significant rollout of laptops and tablets across their network, their virtual desktop requirements had fundamentally changed, leaving only a handful of users reliant on Citrix. With licensing costs set to increase by 30%+ in 7 months’ time, it was clear the current setup was no longer cost-effective.
The organisation needed a modern virtual desktop alternative that would:
- Support two distinct user personas: an outsourced offshore team and consultants/suppliers needing remote access.
- Deliver an acceptable user experience for remote work.
- Be implemented before their Citrix renewal deadline.
Additionally, they sought clarity on the costs and benefits of three potential solutions: Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), Windows 365 (W365), or continuing with Citrix.
The Requirements
- A comprehensive cost-benefit analysis for AVD, W365, and Citrix.
- A solution that was scalable, reliable, and aligned with their business needs.
- A seamless transition to a cost-effective virtual desktop solution without disrupting
operations.
The Design
& Solution
We collaborated closely with the client to analyse their needs and deliver a tailored solution:
Phase 1:
Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Conducted a detailed evaluation of the three options, focusing on licensing,support, and hosting costs.
- Presented pros and cons for each option, alongside an estimatedimplementation cost to support the business case.
Phase 2:
Implementation
- Piloted the chosen solution, AVD, to validate user experience for both personas.
- Designed and implemented the production environment, ensuring seamlessintegration with existing workflows.
- Transitioned the solution to Business-As-Usual (BAU) operations well ahead of theCitrix renewal deadline.
The Outcome
The client successfully transitioned to a modernvirtual desktop solution, achieving:
