Despite what we hear about companies pushing for employees to return to the office, remote and hybrid work continues to be a popular option, if not a growing expectation. According to a study by Owl Labs that surveyed 2000 employees in the US, more than 35% of workers are either hybrid or fully remote. At the same time, businesses of all sizes are always looking for ways to increase their efficiency and cut costs where they can, regardless of where their employees are logging in from.
That said, virtualized desktop and app options represent an affordable, flexible and secure way for organizations to keep their workforces connected and productive. For managed service providers (MSPs), therein lies an opportunity to offer scalable, reliable infrastructure services to clients. Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) makes provisioning such services simple, making it an attractive revenue opportunity for MSPs—especially if they’re already familiar with the Microsoft ecosystem.
What is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)?
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a comprehensive desktop and application virtualization service that runs on the Microsoft Azure platform. Based in the cloud, AVD gives users access to a full Windows 10 or 11 desktop experience without needing to have any software installed directly on the device. Depending on their needs, users can access specific apps using AVD as well, whether from Microsoft or custom built.
Once upon a time, virtual desktops were complex, expensive and challenging for companies to set up and manage. A large server infrastructure was necessary, making virtualization largely inaccessible for small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Modern cloud computing—such as that offered by Microsoft and Azure—has changed that for both service providers and their customers. Using AVD, it’s easy for MSPs to set clients up with virtual desktops that can be accessed from anywhere without compromising security, skimping on user experience or breaking the bank.
Noteworthy features of AVD
Here are some of the key features and capabilities that AVD delivers:
- Access to Windows 10, Windows 11 and/or Windows Server 2016, 2019 or 2022 from any device or web browser
- Single or multi-session resources, meaning that multiple employees can utilize one virtual machine simultaneously
- 99.9% SLA through Microsoft Azure, guaranteeing maximum availability from datacenters around the world
- Easily scale the number of virtual machines up or down depending on the usage requirements of the business
- Reduced costs for licensing and infrastructure by hosting desktops and applications in the cloud instead of on-premises
- Built in security, management and monitoring functions
Benefits of Azure Virtual Desktop for MSP customers
Obviously, giving your MSP clients the ability to let their employees work from anywhere is right at the top of the pros column for AVD. But there are several other selling points to present to customers as well, such as AVD’s cost effectiveness, security and flexibility.
Cost effectiveness
Because virtualized desktops and applications live in the cloud, there’s no need for businesses to maintain server hardware other infrastructure typically required for on-premises solutions. Additionally, MSP clients can reduce management overhead by moving all virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) to the cloud with a managed service.
AVD’s pricing model also provides an opportunity for cost savings. Consumption-based pricing allows MSP customers to scale their compute capacity based on their current needs. They can even automate when capacity increases or decreases—with the help and guidance of their MSP partner, of course—according to anticipated demand, making their costs that much more predictable.
With regards to configuration, AVD can be set up in a way that multiple employees use the same virtual machine (VM) and share pooled resources. By having fewer VMs running at the same time, MSP clients can realize additional savings.
Licensing is yet another area where AVD proves cost effective. AVD is included with multiple different Microsoft 365 licenses, meaning that MSP clients can use it without having to subscribe to additional services. Popular Microsoft subscriptions that come with AVD licenses include:
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium
- Microsoft 365 E3
- Microsoft 365 E5
- Microsoft 365 A3
- Microsoft 365 A5
Security
Although certainly not without risk, data is generally considered to be safer in the cloud than on on-premises devices. For employees working with sensitive information or from potentially unprotected locations—a local café, for example—AVD is a highly secure option for any business.
Running on Azure and backed by the security power of Microsoft, AVD comes with plenty of built-in functionality for encryption and other security protocols. Microsoft invests about $1 billion in security on an annual basis, so MSPs and their clients alike can rest assured the tools they’re using are constantly being improved upon.
Flexibility
As mentioned above, giving employees the flexibility to access the same familiar tools and interface from anywhere, whether in the office, at home or on the road, is a massive benefit for modern businesses looking to maintain a high level of productivity. As long as users have access to the internet, they can use AVD from a vast majority of devices, operating systems and web browsers.
The ability for businesses to scale the number of virtual machines in use up or down is also a point for the flexibility of AVD just as much as it is for affordability. No matter the time of day, month or year, MSP clients can always ensure they’ll have adequate compute power to satisfy their needs.
Why MSPs should offer Azure Virtual Desktop
If the benefits of AVD for end clients and the opportunity for your MSP to show off the value of its services wasn’t enough to convince you, there are many more reasons why AVD would make a solid addition to your service offering.
Reach new clients
A wider range of services equates to a wider range of customers for your MSP business. And because AVD is so easy to manage, you don’t necessarily need to be an experienced Azure whiz to build a practice. If you’re already reselling Microsoft products, there are plenty of resources available to help you get up and running.
Cultivate new revenue streams with existing clients
Tacking on additional services for clients you already work with is a tried and tested method for growing your bottom line and increasing customer stickiness. Even though licenses for AVD are already available through various Microsoft 365 subscriptions, you’ll still generate revenue based on the number of virtual machines your clients need to run at a given time. Furthermore, you’ll be opening doors to work with customers in other ways, such as managing more of their infrastructure environment, offering cybersecurity solutions or providing consulting services in other areas of their business.
Leverage benefits and incentives from Microsoft
Microsoft Azure is a fundamental part of the Microsoft CSP program. By breaking into this solution space, MSPs can take advantage of a long list of incentives that reward their sales efforts through rebates and other benefits that enhance the revenue potential of their Azure practice even further. Of course, working with an experienced Azure partner can help with this!
Ready to get started with Azure Virtual Desktop? Sherweb can help
The global desktop virtualization market has an estimated value of more than $27 billion, and is expected to grow at an annual rate in excess of 22% until 2032. This alone makes it clear that VDI presents a potentially lucrative sales opportunity for MSPs, even without the growing demand for remote and hybrid work solutions. As a global leader in the space, Microsoft’s AVD is an excellent place to start, especially if your MSP is already reselling Microsoft products.
As an award-winning Microsoft partner and experienced Azure provider, Sherweb can help your MSP make the most of your offering. Our team of cloud solution architecture can help you find effective ways of maximizing profitability and expanding your cloud business to deliver value for clients. Request a consultation with us to learn more about how we can support your Azure journey, or check out our partner guide for more information about our MSP partner program.
