Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) Software and Solutions

Centralized Desktop Management: How VDI Transforms Your IT Environment

VDI centralizes desktop environments by hosting virtual desktops on centralized servers, enabling users to access their desktops and applications remotely through various devices. This approach streamlines management, enhances security, and delivers flexibility for organizations and end-users.

American Foundry Streamlined Infrastructure and Achieved Measurable Results with Scale Computing

The Challenge

American Foundry Group, an industrial leader specializing in flow control valves, mining, and nuclear upgrade solutions, faced growing infrastructure challenges. With aging hardware, eight physical servers, and outdated virtualization software, IT Manager Michael Ryles recognized the need for a reliable, scalable solution to support rapid organizational growth while reducing IT overhead.

The Solution

After evaluating multiple hyper-converged options, SC//Platform was selected for its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and elimination of additional licensing or support fees.

Key Outcomes and Metrics

• 80% Reduction in Hardware Footprint: Eight physical servers and two Mac Pros were replaced with just three Scale Computing nodes, providing higher compute power and storage capacity.
• Rapid Deployment: Achieved full implementation in under an hour, including VM migrations and live demonstrations of hardware resilience.
• 20% Cost Savings: Avoided a minimum 20% higher upfront cost compared to traditional server virtualization platforms, alongside no ongoing "V-tax" licensing fees.
• Improved Reliability: Eliminated frequent maintenance issues and downtime associated with aging hardware, freeing IT resources to focus on business innovation.
• Enhanced Virtual Desktop Performance: Seamlessly supports 50 virtual desktops and additional servers without performance degradation.

The Results

By simplifying infrastructure management and consolidating resources, American Foundry Group has not only achieved measurable cost savings but also enhanced system reliability and operational efficiency.

Challenges Organizations Face Without VDI Solutions

Traditional desktop management methods are resource-intensive and inefficient, requiring IT teams to manually update, troubleshoot, and maintain individual devices across distributed workforces, leading to delays and lost productivity.

Localized data storage on physical endpoints increases security vulnerabilities, exposing organizations to data breaches, compliance failures, and costly disruptions. Additionally, the high costs of maintaining hardware lifecycles and scaling IT infrastructure for hybrid or remote work models can strain budgets and hinder growth.

Without a centralized, scalable solution, organizations struggle to support a modern, flexible workforce, leaving them vulnerable to inefficiencies, security risks, and rising operational costs. Adopting VDI addresses these challenges by simplifying IT management, strengthening data security, reducing costs, and enabling organizations to thrive in a dynamic business landscape.

• IT Inefficiency. Managing individual desktops across multiple locations wastes IT resources and time. Manual updates, patches, and troubleshooting increase operational burdens and slow productivity.
• Data Security Risks. Localized data storage on endpoints exposes organizations to security breaches, data loss, and compliance issues. Without centralized control, protecting sensitive data becomes a constant challenge.
• High Costs. Maintaining physical desktops, managing hardware lifecycles, and frequent downtime drive up costs. Scaling IT infrastructure for remote workers or new locations adds further expenses.
• Limited Workforce Flexibility. Without VDI, remote and hybrid work models become harder to implement, restricting employee mobility and responsiveness in dynamic business environments.

Comparing VDI Solutions: Why Scale Computing Stands Out

Scale Computing provides a comprehensive, integrated platform with simplicity, cost efficiency, and edge computing capabilities. Unlike many competitors, it eliminates third-party dependencies, streamlines deployment, and ensures high performance even in edge environments. Below is a comparison that highlights Scale Computing’s differentiators.

By focusing on simplicity, cost efficiency, and edge performance, Scale Computing offers an unmatched solution for VDI deployments compared to traditional competitors.

Choosing the Right VDI Solution for Your Organization

Selecting the right virtual desktop solution is critical for ensuring your organization achieves seamless IT operations, enhanced security, and cost-effective scalability. Here’s a practical checklist to help you evaluate VDI options and make an informed decision:

Assess Your Business Needs

• Identify the specific challenges you aim to solve with VDI (e.g., remote workforce enablement, improved IT efficiency, data security).
• Estimate the number of users, workloads, and applications that will require virtualization.

Performance and User Experience

• Ensure the solution delivers a seamless and responsive desktop experience across devices, including laptops, tablets, and thin clients.
• Evaluate performance for graphics-intensive workloads or applications that require high computing power.

Scalability and Flexibility

• Choose a solution that scales easily with your organization’s growth. Look for options that accommodate both small deployments and enterprise-level needs without significant reconfiguration.
• Confirm support for hybrid or multi-cloud environments to adapt to evolving infrastructure demands.

Security and Compliance

• Prioritize solutions that offer centralized data storage, encryption, and robust access controls to minimize security risks.
• Verify compliance with industry standards and regulations (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) relevant to your organization.

Ease of Management

• Opt for solutions that simplify IT administration with centralized management, automated updates, and minimal downtime.
• Look for intuitive tools to monitor and troubleshoot desktops and applications efficiently.

Cost and ROI

• Evaluate the total cost of ownership (TCO), including hardware, licensing, implementation, and ongoing maintenance.
• Compare solutions based on their long-term ROI by considering productivity gains, IT resource savings, and reduced hardware expenses.

Integration and Compatibility

• Ensure the solution integrates seamlessly with your existing IT infrastructure, applications, and endpoints.
• Verify support for key features such as virtualization software, remote access tools, and cloud-based deployments.

Support and Reliability

• Choose a provider with a proven track record of reliability and performance.
• Assess the availability of technical support, training resources, and disaster recovery options to ensure business continuity.

By evaluating these key factors, you can identify a VDI solution that aligns with your organization’s goals, enhances IT efficiency, and provides the flexibility needed to support a modern, dynamic workforce. Whether you’re enabling remote work, improving security, or simplifying IT management, choosing the right virtual desktop infrastructure will position your organization for success.