A cloud implementation of a VDI solution over an on-premises solution is appropriate for the following scenarios:
The organization needs to quickly scale-up in disparate geographical locations. A cloud VDI solution can provide faster provisioning, deployment, and management of virtual desktops and applications across multiple regions and data centers. A cloud VDI solution can also offer better performance, availability, and user experience for remote and mobile workers who need to access their desktops and applications from anywhere and any device12.
The organization has limited CapEx budget. A cloud VDI solution can reduce the upfront capital expenditure (CapEx) required to purchase, install, and maintain the hardware and software infrastructure for a VDI solution. A cloud VDI solution can also lower the operational expenditure (OpEx) by shifting the responsibility of managing, updating, and securing the VDI infrastructure to the cloud provider. A cloud VDI solution can offer flexible and predictable pricing models based on usage, subscription, or consumption13.
The other scenarios are not appropriate for a cloud implementation of a VDI solution over an on-premises solution because:
The organization already has infrastructure to support a VDI. If the organization has already invested in the hardware and software resources to support a VDI solution, it may not be cost-effective or feasible to migrate to a cloud VDI solution. The organization may also have existing policies, processes, and workflows that are tailored to the on-premises VDI solution and may not be compatible with the cloud VDI solution4.
The organization needs to setup high availability and disaster recovery. While a cloud VDI solution can provide high availability and disaster recovery capabilities, it may not be sufficient or reliable for some organizations that have strict requirements for data protection, compliance, and business continuity. An on-premises VDI solution can offer more control, customization, and security over the backup, replication, and restoration of the VDI data and applications in the event of a disaster5.
The organization controls highly confidential data. A cloud VDI solution may pose some risks or challenges for organizations that handle sensitive or regulated data, such as financial, healthcare, or government data. A cloud VDI solution may not meet the compliance standards or regulations that apply to the organization’s data. A cloud VDI solution may also expose the organization’s data to potential breaches, leaks, or unauthorized access by third parties. An on-premises VDI solution can provide more visibility, governance, and encryption over the organization’s data6.
References := 1: VMware: What is Desktop as a Service (DaaS)? 2: Parallels: VDI in the Cloud: Which Cloud VDI Product Is Right for You? 3: Microsoft Azure: What Is Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)? 4: VMware: On-Premise vs Cloud: Which is Better for Your Business? 5: VMware: Disaster Recovery Solutions for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) 6: Microsoft Azure: Virtual desktop infrastructure security best practices
