Microsoft spent a significant amount of time and energy going over the future of AI and how it is weaved into the future of Microsoft. Still, I wanted to dive into the latest relevant EUC updates from Microsoft IGNITE 2023, where Microsoft has rolled out some pretty cool updates for Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD).
Windows App Preview:
Microsoft's dropping a new Windows App. Think of it as your all-in-one dashboard for hopping into various Microsoft services. It's still in preview, but it's shaping up to be a slick way to access your Windows 365 Cloud PCs, AVD services, those nifty Microsoft Dev Boxes, and even Remote Desktop Services.
Windows 365 and AVD – Stepping up Their Game:
Both Windows 365 and AVD are getting some pretty decent enhancements. We're talking about single sign-on and passwordless authentication hitting general availability. And for the security-minded folks, there's more good news: watermarking, screen capture protection, and tamper protection are also GA. Microsoft is investing heavily in security and user convenience.
Windows 365 – Now with More Muscle:
Windows 365 is flexing with a public preview of GPU-enabled Cloud PCs. Right now, it's for the Enterprise edition users only. These monsters come with Nvidia and AMD GPUs to handle heavy-duty graphic workloads.
Microsoft teased us with the upcoming AI-powered capability to right-size Cloud PCs to help reign in costs.
AVD – New Features:
AVD's not left behind. It’s now equipped with Personal Desktop Autoscale for smart scaling of session-host VMs based on schedules, and there's a preview for auto-deallocating these VMs.
AVD Meets Azure Stack HCI!
AVD, our favorite cloud-managed virtual desktop solution, is now cozying up with Azure Stack HCI. This is big news for those of your customers juggling with on-prem desktop virtualization, especially if you’re wrestling with data locality or latency issues. Azure Stack HCI is perfect for on-prem virtual desktops and apps, offering a secure setup right in your data center.
This is a game-changer for folks dealing with regulatory hoops and latency-sensitive workloads. And guess what? You can now spin up AVD session hosts on Azure Stack HCI clusters right from the Azure Portal.
Unified Management in the Azure Portal:
Microsoft’s not stopping there. They’re rolling out a unified management experience for AVD across both cloud and on-prem deployments. Azure Portal will turn into a command center for your session host VMs. Whether it’s setting up shop in Azure Stack HCI or tweaking VM configurations (think custom locations, memory, and all that jazz), it’s all under one roof now.
So, there you have it. Microsoft's really pushing the boundaries with these updates, making Windows 365 and AVD more powerful, secure, and user-friendly. They are doing a fantastic job of building a bridge between on-prem and cloud, making life easier for IT admins everywhere. And for the cherry on top, they’re joining forces with ecosystem partners like Citrix and VMware to make AVD on Azure Stack HCI smoother. It’s all about that seamless hybrid experience.
This allows us to present an exceptional end-to-end solution, combining the finest aspects of Lenovo's hardware, IGEL OS, and Microsoft's virtual desktop technology. This is backed by a scalable, on-premise infrastructure powered by Lenovo TruScale and Azure Stack HCI. It's the perfect setup for businesses searching for adaptable, secure, and cost-efficient virtualized workspace solutions. Solution Breakdown: https://lenovoandigel.com/igel-avd-and-lenovo-infrastructure