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Data Centers & The Responsibility of Sustainability

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What about a giant, clunky building is earth-friendly or sustainable? That is a great question. Less than five years ago, articles in the media were warning that digital infrastructure, such as data centers, could consume 20% of global energy by 2025. Many would be surprised to hear that the data center industry only consumed 1% of global energy in 2020.

In fact, data centers are becoming more efficient, thanks to advances in technology and better management practices. In 2019, VPLS shifted towards greener energy solutions in our Northern California data centers with the installation of airside economization units in our Emeryville facility, and the installation of high-efficiency precision cooling systems in our San Jose data center. As a result of these upgrades, VPLS was able to achieve a PUE of 1.25 in Emeryville and 1.29 in San Jose (the industry average being 1.5 or greater), reducing the overall carbon footprint by over 1,800 metric tons that year. And we’re not alone—across the industry, data centers are finding new ways to save energy and minimize their impact on the environment.
[Read more about The Green Initiative Here]

Today’s data centers are built with energy-efficient components and use innovative cooling systems to reduce their energy consumption. At VPLS, we are committed to continuing to invest in energy-efficient solutions. Our data centers PHX1 (Phoenix, Arizona) and DAL1 (Plano, Texas) use 85% less water and energy than the industry average. VPLS’s focus is to shift away from water-based cooling solutions while improving our efficiencies to reduce our impact on the environment.

Data centers may not have started off keeping energy efficiency and sustainability top of mind. But that makes it that much more important for the data center engineers of today to assume the responsibility of keeping up with improvements, upgrading infrastructures, and ensuring that their facilities function in unison with the planet as well as public demand for fast and reliable data. Improvements like those of VPLS’s Northern California data centers can go a long way if all data centers work towards reaching the goal of sustainability.

In addition, VPLS’ data centers are located in areas with high renewable energy potential, so we are able to take advantage of clean energy sources. We also emphasize purchasing power from renewable resources. Our commitment to minimizing the carbon footprint while delivering fast, secure, and reliable service to our customers, proves that sacrificing quality for sustainability is not necessary.

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VPLS Raises Additional $30 Million Investment from Crestline Investors 

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VPLS, a leading cloud-to-edge computing and IT solutions provider, announced today a $30 million equity investment led by Crestline Investors, Inc. Proceeds will be used to support VPLS’s acquisitive growth strategy and fund continued organic growth. This extends VPLS’s successful partnership with Crestline, which began with a $30 million preferred equity and debt investment in 2019, bringing total investment to $62.5 million to date.

VPLS, dual headquartered in San Jose and Los Angeles, CA, was founded in 2017 under the name Evocative Data Centers with a $2.5 million seed investment spearheaded by Arman Khalili. Rebranded VPLS after the 2019 acquisition of VPLS and VPLS Solutions, the company has grown from two data centers in the San Francisco Bay Area to 16 data centers across the United States, Europe and Asia. VPLS offers enterprise-grade data centers, managed IT services, bare metal hosting, public cloud connectivity, and value-added reseller services.

“VPLS is thrilled to expand its partnership with Crestline,” said Arman Khalili, CEO of VPLS.  “We look forward to deploying the capital into future acquisitions and growth initiatives.  VPLS’s clients can expect additional exciting announcements soon.”

About Crestline Investors, Inc. 

 Crestline Investors, Inc., founded in 1997 and based in Fort Worth, Texas, is an institutional alternative investment management firm with approximately $15.0 billion in assets under management. Crestline specializes in credit and opportunistic investments, including providing flexible capital solutions to middle market companies, asset backed investing and financing and restructuring solutions for mature private equity funds. In addition, the firm manages a multi-PM equity market-neutral hedge fund and provides beta and hedging solutions for institutional clients. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the company maintains affiliate offices in New York, London, Toronto and Tokyo. 

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What’s Better than a VPN? 3 Alternatives Explained

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Since the start of the pandemic, many enterprises have embraced a decentralized model, realizing that employees can work from just about anywhere. However, remote work requires security solutions for sharing data, accessing files, and collaborating across networks. Learn about some of the pros and cons of VPNs and a few of the alternative solutions available.

What is a VPN?

A virtual private network (VPN) is a secure, private system that allows employees to access a central server through an internet connection. A VPN encrypts your data and can mask IP addresses, so the work you do and the sites you visit over the VPN are private.

Because a VPN doesn’t require a lot of infrastructure, it can be a cost-effective option for companies who need to collaborate remotely. A company may use offsite colocation services for its VPN infrastructure.

However, VPN performance can be inhibited by internet speed. With remote employees reliant on their home internet service provider (ISP), VPN functionality can vary from employee to employee. And because it’s difficult to segment a VPN, it’s vulnerable to cybercrime — once a hacker is in, they have access to everything on your network.

When VPNs first became popular, remote work was the exception to the rule, rather than the norm. VPNs are still useful, but as remote work models become increasingly ubiquitous, enterprises may want to consider alternative models for storing their data and maintaining online security.

What's Better Than a VPN?

There are many models for accommodating remote work efficiently without compromising online security. A few alternatives to the VPN include virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), The Onion Router (Tor), and proxy servers.

VDI

VDI allows employees to access their work desktop through a network connection. VDI may be hosted onsite at an office or via cloud storage. VDI offers a flexible solution for remote work, allowing employees to collaborate on projects from any connected device. The infrastructure is easily scalable, making it easy to add or remove connected devices as company size fluctuates. Cloud-hosted VDI also allows enterprises to grow their business without incurring significant capital costs.

Is VDI better than a VPN? The two are well worth comparing. VDI serves many businesses well and offers a host of benefits. However, this choice depends on the unique needs of the business and the quality of its endpoint protection.

Tor: The Onion Router

The Onion Router, commonly known as Tor, was first developed in the 1990s at the United States Naval Research Laboratory. The Tor Project is now a nonprofit organization that provides Tor as a free and open-source software for anonymously accessing the internet.

Tor uses thousands of volunteer computers that send and receive internet signals without retaining records, so traffic cannot be traced back to a particular person or computer. Thus, it can offer even better privacy safeguards than a VPN. Unlike a VPN, where a central authority controls and manages the network access, Tor is decentralized — there is no single owner or manager.

Is Tor better than a VPN?

It depends on how you use the web. If your enterprise needs to access websites anonymously or establish untraceable communication (such as when a journalist needs to safely contact a source), Tor can be a useful option.

A Proxy Server

A third alternative to a VPN is a proxy server. A proxy server acts as an intermediary between an end user’s computer and the internet, so any time you visit a website or share a file, you connect through the proxy rather than directly to the host server. This allows you to hide your IP address, as the website you’re visiting only sees the IP address of the proxy server. However, unlike a VPN, a proxy server will not encrypt your data.

Is proxy better than a VPN? Without the added security of data encryption, it may not be the best choice. However, there are free proxy servers available, so if you’re a small company that’s just starting out, a proxy may be a useful interim solution.

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All of these options have different advantages, so it really depends on what your enterprise needs and how you utilize the internet. If you’re thinking about moving away from a traditional remote access VPN but aren’t sure where to start, the team at VPLS is here to help.

To learn more about our managed services for network security, cloud infrastructure, and other solutions, contact us today.

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5 Reasons SOC-as-a-Service Features Help You

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A security operations center (SOC) monitors a company’s network, devices, cloud storage, and other IT assets. It is essential in detecting, addressing, and preventing cybersecurity threats. 

When these functions are provided by a third party, rather than within the company structure itself, it’s called SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS). If you’re not sure if outsourcing is worth it, here are some SOC-as-a-Service features that you with confidence.

1. Comprehensive 24/7 Monitoring

When your company outsources its SOC, you have the benefit of comprehensive network monitoring and threat detection, without dedicating your own personnel to the task. This frees up your staff to work on other projects while ensuring that critical security functions don’t fall by the wayside. 

SOC-as-a-Service utilizes qualified security analysts. This means you get the best in threat protection without being responsible for holding this expertise in-house.

2. Reduced Data Security Risk

When you’re collecting information from your customers or clients, you want them to know that their data is secure. Companies that use managed SOC-as-a-Service are less likely to experience security breaches. 

A breach can lead to significant costs, whether those are regulatory fines or compensation to your customers. Plus, it can hurt your brand’s image, making it harder to attract new business and retain your existing customer base. If attacks do happen, they’re resolved quickly and with less damage through a SOC-as-a-Service provider.

3. Lower Capital and Personnel Costs

When you choose a third-party provider for security services, you avoid the significant capital and operating costs associated with setting up, maintaining, and staffing an onsite SOC for your company. 

Many SOCaaS providers charge a monthly or annual fee based on usage, so you’re only paying for the services you use. You don’t have to spend money and valuable staff time on upgrading your hardware or systems, and you’ll have the benefit of the latest technology through your service provider.

4. Customized Scalable Solutions

While a traditional managed security service provider might only offer one or two basic protection plans, SOC-as-a-Service providers offer customizable packages based on what your team needs. 

Pricing plans can vary based on the number of devices on your network or the amount of log storage you use, so you can choose the pricing model that best fits your team. Plus, you can add features or services as you need them, allowing your security operations to expand as your team grows.

5. Shared Visibility

A good SOC-as-a-Service provider works as a true extension of your IT department. With managed SOCaaS, your internal IT staff will have complete visibility and access to the SOC, allowing them to work side-by-side with your third-party provider. 

This improves communication and efficiency, and it allows teams to resolve threats quickly with minimal disruption to your business’s day-to-day operations. Even though you’re outsourcing this service, you’ll always be in the loop.

Find Out More About SOCaaS from VPLS

Don’t wait until a breach happens — take steps today to protect your business. A leader in the SOC-as-a-Service market, VPLS works with businesses of all sizes across multiple industries to provide tailored security solutions. From intrusion detection to vulnerability assessments, our SOC-as-a-Service products offer several advantages.

To learn more information about our managed SOC-as-a-Service plans, contact VPLS today.

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What Is SOC-as-a-Service?

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The global, virtual workplaces of today need reliable cybersecurity solutions that protect their intellectual property, employees, and client base. A security operations center (SOC) is now a common requirement for many businesses. A SOC is a centralized unit within an enterprise that alerts, detects, and addresses cybersecurity threats and issues.

Different enterprises will need different security services.

For example, a healthcare company would need to securely store patient information in compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). An online retailer needs to safeguard its customers’ credit card information from theft to retain their trust and avoid liability.

What is SOC-as-a-service? Its Purpose

But the general purpose of a SOC is the same: it tracks data from the enterprise’s devices, network, and cloud. It analyzes that data to identify potential threats and coordinates a response to those threats.

While some businesses have an in-house SOC, others choose to outsource their SOC to a third party, known as a SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) provider. SOC-as-a-Service functions as an extension of a company’s IT department. It’s a solution that provides the best of both worlds: you receive 24/7 monitoring and coverage, while your IT team remains free to focus on other issues. However, your IT department can view and access the services the SOC is providing with ease.

Benefits of SOC-as-a-Service

By outsourcing your SOC to a managed service provider, your company has access to round-the-clock monitoring and threat detection. SOCaaS plans typically include:

  • Vulnerability testing
  • Device and software monitoring
  • Log management and event correlation

For several companies, there are many advantages to choosing SOC-as-a-Service instead of using an in-house solution or a legacy security system. These include the following:

  • Reduced risk: With an expert SOC-as-a-Service provider, you’re less vulnerable to cybercrime and less likely to incur the fines and business costs associated with an attack.
  • Lower overhead: SOCaaS typically works as a subscription service, so you only pay for what you need on a month-to-month basis. This eliminates the significant capital and startup costs associated with establishing an internal SOC.
  • Rapid remediation: With SOC-as-a-Service, you benefit from state-of-the-art technology that quickly deliver high-confidence alerts. This allows for rapid detection and repair if a breach does occur.
  • Scalability: An in-house SOC isn’t always responsive to growth or change at your company. Choosing SOC-as-a-Service allows you to expand or contract your security services as needed, matching the current scale of your operation.

About SOC-as-a-Service Pricing

The great thing about SOC-as-a-Service is that it’s a flexible security solution. Many SOC-as-a-Service providers use a subscription model, so you’ll pay a flat, monthly fee for outsourced services. Some service providers may offer pricing plans based on the number of devices on your network, the amount of storage you require, or the number of optional features you’d like. If you aren’t sure what type of plan best fits your organization’s needs, you can ask the service provider to set up a consultation or demonstration.

Partner with a Managed Security Service Provider

At VPLS, we work with businesses of all sizes, across multiple industries. Our services range from infrastructure management and cloud deployment to disaster recovery and IT support — and we customize every aspect of your managed security services to ensure you get exactly what you need.

To speak with a VPLS expert about finding a SOC-as-a-Service subscription that’s right for your business, contact us today.

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VPLS Expands Executive Roster: Derek Garnier Joins as President & COO; John Minnix Appointed to Chief Revenue Officer

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We are excited to announce the expansion of our executive team. Derek Garnier joins VPLS as President and Chief Operating Officer. John Minnix is appointed to the role of Chief Revenue Officer. The pair bring more than 50 years of combined industry experience to VPLS.

“We are excited to welcome Derek Garnier back to the VPLS team and welcome John Minnix into his new role. VPLS provides Internet Infrastructure services to businesses nationwide,” states CEO, Arman Khalili. “As our team continues to grow to accommodate our client’s ever-changing needs, VPLS is expanding its executive roster to achieve goals that will continue to make VPLS the premier choice for our clients.”

Minnix adds, “I am excited for the opportunity to become VPLS’s first Chief Revenue Officer. I look forward to creating meaningful partnerships and value for our clients.”

Derek Garnier is a 30-year industry veteran in digital infrastructure, specializing in corporate strategy, and has successfully built, operated, and sold companies. He was most recently the Co-Founder of Arcadian Infracom, a long-haul fiber optic company operating in the Southwest. Prior to Arcadian, Garnier served as President and COO of Evocative Datacenters, the predecessor to VPLS. Before his tenure with Evocative, Garnier was the CEO of Layer42 Networks, a national network services and colocation provider, which he successfully exited in 2015 through a sale to Wave Broadband. After the acquisition, he continued to serve as Wave’s SVP of Datacenter Services.

Garnier succeeds Minnix, who will focus on revenue growth. Both will work closely to fortify VPLS’s leadership position in key geographies while developing additional market and product opportunities.

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VPLS Recognized on CRN’s 2022 MSP 500 List for Seventh Consecutive Year

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We are excited to announce today that CRN®, a brand of The Channel Company, has named VPLS to its Managed Service Provider (MSP) 500 list in the Elite 150 category for 2022. CRN’s annual MSP 500 list identifies the leading service providers in North America whose forward-thinking approaches to managed services are changing the landscape of the IT channel, helping end users increase efficiency and simplify IT solutions, while maximizing their return on investment.

With many customers still recovering from the impact of the ongoing pandemic, MSPs have become a vital part of the success of businesses worldwide. MSPs not only empower organizations to leverage intricate technologies but also help them keep a strict focus on their core business goals without straining their budgets.

The annual MSP 500 list is divided into three sections: the MSP Pioneer 250, recognizing companies with business models weighted toward managed services and largely focused on the SMB market; the MSP Elite 150, recognizing large, data center-focused MSPs with a strong mix of on- and off-premises services; and the Managed Security 100, recognizing MSPs focused primarily on off-premises and cloud-based security services.

VPLS has continued expanding its Managed Services offerings to better serve their growing customer base over the last year. VPLS aims to educate their clients on their various IT needs so they can make educated decisions when selecting their services and applications. Their white-glove customer service model recognizes the unique challenges of each organization and brings enterprise-grade support to businesses of all sizes.

“In addition to having to adjust their own business operations to account for the changed conditions during the pandemic, MSPs have also seen increased demand for their managed communications, collaboration and security services,” said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. “The solution providers on our 2022 MSP 500 list deserve credit for their innovative and game-changing approaches to managed services in these unpredictable times, as well as their ability to optimize operational efficiencies and systems without straining IT budgets.”

The MSP 500 list will be featured in the February 2022 issue of CRN and online at www.crn.com/msp500.

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Have Microsoft Licenses? Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Microsoft New Commerce Experience (NCE)

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If you haven’t heard, changes are coming to Microsoft’s New Commerce Experience (NCE) on March 1st, 2022.

To keep up with the demand for cloud-based solutions and services, Microsoft introduced the “seat-based” model with the New Commerce Experience. NCE is the new way for invoicing subscription-based cloud solutions to accelerate digital growth and for customers to have better-aligned pricing and tools to support their digital transformation journey.

These changes can be confusing for your business to navigate—especially the pricing changes around certain Office 365 and Microsoft 365 licenses. That’s why VPLS has created this quick FAQ to answer your most-asked questions about the upcoming changes.

Have other questions or want to discuss your specific license environment with our Microsoft licensing specialists? Simply contact the VPLS team.

No. If you are interested in switching your subscription to New Commerce Experience (NCE), let us know and we will handle the subscription migration for you.

You can lock in price protection before the price increase in March 2022 by purchasing an annual commitment on New Commerce Experience or renewing at the current legacy pricing.

Microsoft 365, Dynamics 365, Windows 365, and Power Platform.

While there are no price changes related to the expansion of New Commerce Experience, Microsoft has announced price increases to the following SKUs starting on March 1st, 2022:

Enterprise SKUs

Office 365 E1 is increasing to $10 per user per month (PUPM) from $8 PUPM

Office 365 E3 is increasing to $23 PUPM from $20 PUPM

Office 365 E5 is increasing to $38 PUPM from $35 PUPM

Microsoft 365 E3 is increasing to $36 PUPM from $32 PUPM

SMB SKUs

Microsoft 365 Business Basic is increasing to $6 PUPM from $5 PUPM

Microsoft 365 Business Premium is increasing to $22 PUPM from $20 PUP

There are two available term options for New Commerce Experience:

Monthly Subscriptions

With the NCE you will have the ability to purchase your Microsoft 365 licenses on a monthly basis without an annual commitment. Microsoft is now offering this to provide flexibility to customers that need to make monthly changes to their Microsoft 365 or Office 365 licenses plans and seat count. Licenses may be added or decreased at the end of each month’s term. This subscription does come at a 20% price premium increase.

Annual Subscriptions

With an annual subscription, you are committing to a 12-month term in which you can increase your licenses at any time but can only decrease licenses at the end of the term. This option comes with a 20% discount for the entire 12-month term with monthly and annual billing options.

Multi-year Subscriptions

Multi-year subscriptions will be available at a future date.

 

Yes, all monthly commitments incur a 20% price premium.

Yes, you can pay monthly for an annual contract.

You will have 72 hours from the time of purchase to decrease seat counts for a subscription term. Customers can increase their seat count at any point during their commitment for an existing subscription.

You can determine if you want a subscription(s) to auto-renew. A Subscription(s) that is set to auto-renew, will automatically renew at the end of the subscription(s) term. The 72-hour cancellation period will restart at the renewal term. If a customer does not set subscription(s) to auto-renew at the end of the term, they will need to renew the subscription(s) during the renewal period to avoid the subscription(s) from entering a “disabled” status.

Newly added seats will match the original renewal date of the subscription.

Yes, you can have both a monthly term and an annual term subscription for the  same seat-based offer at the same time.

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VDI vs. VPN: What’s Best for Remote Employees?

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The widespread shift to remote operations has left IT departments looking for tools that support employees at home. The two most common solutions for remote work situations include virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and virtual private networks (VPNs), but many companies struggle to decide which is better for their workforce. To help your business determine the best option for remote work, VPLS offers a detailed overview of each of these solutions.

What is a VPN?

A VPN forms a secure data tunnel that flows from a remote location to the organization’s private network, enabling workers to access corporate data safely over a public internet connection. The tunnel conceals IP addresses and encrypts your activity, protecting sensitive business information against cybersecurity threats.

Managers can set up a VPN to ensure users only have access to the resources they need. Then, employees can house relevant data on their devices if they must work offline at any point.

What is VDI?

With VDI, employees access desktops in the cloud or on servers through a network connection. These desktops run on virtual machines stored in one server at the office or a data center. Virtual desktop interfaces allow users to connect to interact with business data, applications, and systems from any remote device and give them ample resources and workstations to perform tasks effectively.

What are the Benefits of VPNs for Remote Work?

Companies that wish to cut costs by going remote will find VPNs advantageous. Since all the work happens on laptops, VPNs do not require businesses to purchase costly servers. However, it can be expensive if you do not already have work laptops for each employee.

VPN solutions are compatible with any operating system on any device and can be set up in a matter of minutes by the remote employee. Cybersecurity is also more effective with a VPN because it encrypts data and requires users to pass authentication measures before granting access to critical information.

What are the Benefits of VDI for Remote Work?

Like VPNs, VDI solutions are exceptionally versatile, making them valuable for businesses that cannot store much hardware on-premise. Since the virtual desktop interface operates in the cloud, workers can use any device available to conduct tasks, from the most updated tablet to a five-year-old computer.

Besides saving money on equipment, businesses that implement VDI reduce costs on training. Virtualized desktops are intuitive, enabling users to only log in before accessing applications and systems. VDI also enhances remote employee cybersecurity by housing all data in the servers or cloud, creating less exposure to risk.

What are the Drawbacks of a VPN for Remote Work?

One of the most significant disadvantages of VPNs is that they are dependent on the employee’s internet speed and distance from the service provider. These factors can impede VPN performance, making it difficult to complete everyday work tasks.

VPNs can also overwhelm IT teams because all users connect to the network simultaneously during business hours. For instance, they must reconfigure applications for new software developments and new employees joining the network. This process can make the VPN tedious for IT departments.

Although a VPN enhances security in some respects, it can create new risks because all the applications live on the employee’s laptop. If their device goes missing or gets stolen, the data is lost. Additionally, businesses that permit employees to use personal computers on the VPN may expose data to cyberattacks.

What are the Drawbacks of VDI for Remote Work?

A slow internet connection can hamper VDI performance in a remote location, particularly for those who conduct frequent video meetings or utilize multiple monitors each day. If an internet outage occurs, users may be unable to utilize their work computers at all. VDI users may also encounter security issues if they neglect to equip employee devices with the proper endpoint protection

VDI vs. VPN: Which Is the Best Choice?

When it comes to these solutions, there is no broad, sweeping answer regarding the best option for remote work for every company. Instead, businesses must weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each to determine the most appropriate choice. Regardless of which service you select, ensure you partner with a provider that offers a successful implementation. If you are leaning towards VDI, consider the cutting-edge IT solutions from VPLS.

We offer on-premise and cloud-hosted VDI for companies that wish to switch between operating environments with minimal cost and effort. Cloud-hosted VDI, or Desktop-as-a-Service (Daas), is ideal for remote workforces with employees dispersed across multiple locations.

Unlike many other cloud-hosted VDI providers, we deploy DaaS in private cloud environments with the same technology for on-premise solutions. Additionally, our remote VDI service allows businesses to increase productivity without incurring excessive capital and operational costs.

Connect with VPLS for your VDI Needs

As a trusted global provider for cloud-to-edge IT services, VPLS has the technical experience and reach to help companies across many industries fulfill their cloud and network needs.

Contact us today to learn more about virtual desktop interfaces and our other offerings.

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6 Reasons Why VDI is Built for Remote Work

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses have implemented remote work situations to help keep their employees healthy and safe. As the trend continues, companies are noticing some of the downsides of this model, such as increased cybersecurity risks and operating costs.

One technology, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI), helps minimize these concerns and enhance the remote experience. Discover six top reasons to utilize VDI for remote work.

What is VDI (virtual desktop interface)?

VDI, also known as virtual desktop interface, occurs when organizations host virtual desktops in servers or the cloud. This service enables employees with a virtual device and network connection to access desktop applications and data from any location. Unlike other types of desktop virtualization, VDI does not feature local or hosted shared virtualization. Instead, it relies exclusively on a host-based virtual machine design.

Benefits of Using VDI for Remote Employees

Under remote working conditions, it can be challenging for companies to scale up operations and grow. However, VDI can help accelerate these efforts by reducing some of the setbacks of remote work. Some of the most significant advantages of VDI include:

1. Convenience

VDI permits users to connect to their work desktop from any compatible electronic device, such as a home computer or smartphone. This system enables employees to conduct tasks from any location, eliminating time-consuming commutes to and from the office.

Installing and updating VDI is convenient because operating system implementation happens in a small amount of data centers instead of multiple office locations. Businesses also save time training staff to use VDI since the configuration and interface on hosted virtual desktops are similar to the physical PC.

2. Cost

Some businesses cannot afford to purchase laptops for remote employees, leaving them to use personal devices to perform work-related tasks. However, home computers can expose corporate data to heightened risk as they rarely have the same security features as work devices.

VDI solves this dilemma because it houses virtual desktops on remote servers, giving employees access to data and systems without needing a work computer. Hosted virtual desktops also decrease maintenance and tech support expenses by consolidating data, applications, and operating systems.

Even if an organization must buy devices so that everyone can function remotely, it can save money in the long run with VDI by using Thin or Zero Clients. These devices prevent businesses from updating individual workstations and typically last longer than conventional work environments.

3. Performance

Since data center infrastructure is more effective than laptop infrastructure, VDI drives better productivity. The service permits employees to run complex applications without a powerful computer and streamlines resource allocation.

VDI reduces time spent managing devices, enabling businesses to market products and services quickly. Additionally, hosted virtual desktops can enhance recovery efforts following disaster situations as they provide a backup for accessing work applications and data.

4. Scalability

Companies that allow employees to use personal computers for work activities often struggle to scale because home devices do not have uniform configurations. With VDI, administrators can scale up or down efficiently and decide how to distribute desktop resources. The added flexibility of VDI can also help enterprises expand refresh cycles, further encouraging business growth.

5. Security

Although employees connect to virtual desktops from multiple devices, administrators manage VDI from a single location. This design gives managers more supervision over traffic and security patches and helps them monitor compliance with company policy. Additionally, VDI allows employers to restrict information to ensure workers use only the applications they need.      

6. User Experience

The performance benefits of VDI improve the user experience for many enterprises, particularly those that run legacy applications and cannot transition to the public cloud without complications. VDI also boosts the user experience for organizations that use servers to store client calls. It brings the client closer to the database and delivers faster response times on inquiries.

How VPLS Helps

If you wish to implement VDI for remote employees at your business, consider utilizing the innovative solutions from VPLS. We offer two hosted virtual desktop solutions to help organizations shift between operating environments affordably — on-premise and cloud-hosted.

Cloud-hosted VDI, or Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS), is ideal for companies that operate across multiple sites. Our cloud-hosted VDI provides users with better performance and scalability without driving up their capital or operational expenditures. Unlike many other service providers, we deploy DaaS in a private cloud environment with the same technology used for on-premise solutions. This system provides customers with heightened security and administrative capabilities.

Find VDI Services for Your Remote Employees

Extensive colocation and hosting facilities, superior network services, and a global team of certified technology specialists make VPLS one of the most trusted IT providers in the world. We serve over 7,000 clients spanning numerous industries worldwide, from healthcare and finance to media and the public sector. 

Contact us today to learn more about using VDI for remote work and our other services.

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