The power of built-in components: the crucial role of built-in components for managed IT service providers
The vital role that MSPs play in providing managed virtual apps and desktops solutions for their clients.
Managed service providers (MSPs) play a crucial role for their client organizations by providing expertise, management, and support for organizations seeking to deploy virtual applications and desktops.
Generally, MSPs are responsible for a wide range of services, from designing an optimal VDI architecture for their client’s specific needs but also data hosting, infrastructure maintenance, implementing security measures, performance optimization, user access management, and disaster recovery services.
And it’s a growing market. An estimated 20% compound annual growth rate is projected until 2028 for hybrid and remote work environments. With this growing demand, MSPs should be looking to leverage virtual application and desktops solutions to build services which can be easily deployed, administered, managed, and supported to provide a cost effective VDI solution to organizations, thus relieving them of the complexities associated with VDI implementation and management.
The importance of built-in components for MSPs choosing a virtual apps and desktops solution
A VDI solution with built-in components offers a range of benefits and advantages for MSPs. These benefits include seamless integration, enhanced security, simplified management, performance optimization, and scalability, which all contribute to a more robust, efficient, and user-friendly virtual desktop environment. Built-in components are specifically designed and optimized to work together seamlessly within a VDI solution, ensuring compatibility, interoperability, and smooth operation. This eliminates the need for complex integration efforts and reduces potential compatibility issues or conflicts.
Some of the advantages of using a VDI solution with built-in components include:
Enhanced security: Features such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), encryption, access controls, and monitoring tools enhance data security. When these security measures are integrated right into the solution, MSPs can help ensure a strong security posture for the virtual desktop infrastructure they manage, protecting clients’ sensitive information from unauthorized access or data breaches.
Simplified deployment and management tools: The right tools can streamline the deployment and management process for MSPs, reducing the time and resources required, For instance, a centralized management interface or tool that enables MSPs to efficiently configure, monitor, and manage their clients VDI environment simplifies administrative tasks, reduces complexity, improves overall operational efficiency and reduces the management of licensing to simplify client billing.
Performance optimization: Built-in components are typically optimized for performance within the VDI solution, ensuring smooth and responsive virtual desktop experiences for end users. Components like connection brokers, load balancers, and performance monitoring tools help optimize resource allocation, distribute workloads evenly, and identify and resolve performance bottlenecks, ultimately enhancing user productivity and satisfaction.
Scalability and flexibility: MSPs need to easily scale their VDI infrastructure as their client needs grow or new clients are onboarded. Features that enable organizations to add or remove virtual desktop instances, allocate resources dynamically, and expand the VDI solution to accommodate more users or new requirements all improve scalability and make organizations more flexible. These built-in components therefore ensure that the VDI solution can adapt to changing business demands and effectively handle increased workloads.
Support: Choosing a VDI solution which includes comprehensive vendor support covering all components is vital. This is because if any issues or technical challenges arise, MSPs should be able to quickly and easily access support from their solution vendor (after all, difficulties or problems may occur in spite of the technical prowess of the MSP, particularly with multiple components involved).
The growing importance of a multi-cloud approach in businesses.
For Managed Service Providers, utilizing a combination of on-premises, private cloud, and public cloud to distribute virtual application and desktop solutions offers numerous advantages. The flexibility, scalability, and innovation offered by multi-platform solutions empowers MSPs to deliver a broader choice of virtual desktop infrastructure services to their clients. By combining the strengths of on-premises and cloud infrastructure, MSPs can ensure that clients receive a tailored, reliable, and future-proof solution.
Not being tied to a single cloud vendor allows MSPs to provide solutions based on specific customer requirements and preferences. They can choose the most suitable cloud environments based on factors like performance, cost, data governance, and compliance, ensuring that each customer’s unique needs are met.
Common challenges for MSPs when choosing a VDI solution
When choosing a VDI solution, MSPs should seek a cost-effective and integrated approach to virtual desktop infrastructure. Reducing the complexity eases licensing challenges and provides a unified experience. This helps to overcome potential difficulties and extra license cost implications associated with using add-on components, especially when managing multiple client environments.
Some common challenges MSPs face when choosing a VDI solution:
Complexity and integration: VDI solutions with add-on components often require additional configuration and integration efforts. Different components may have varying compatibility requirements, making the setup process more complex and time-consuming. This complexity can lead to deployment delays and increased IT workload.
Licensing complexity and costs: Add-on components typically come with their own licensing requirements and costs. MSPs may need to purchase separate licenses for each component, which can lead to licensing complexity and increased expenses. Tracking and managing multiple licenses can be cumbersome and require additional administrative efforts.
Increased total cost of ownership (TCO): The need for various add-on components can contribute to an increase in the total cost of ownership for a VDI solution. Alongside the initial license costs, MSPs may also incur ongoing maintenance and support fees for each component. This can strain the IT budget, reduce profits, and make predicting costs more challenging.
Maintenance and updates: With add-on components (as opposed to built-ins), MSPs must manage updates and patches for each individual element of the VDI solution. This can be time-consuming and may introduce compatibility issues or downtime during the update process. Failing to keep all components up to date could expose the solution to security vulnerabilities and compromise performance.
The advantages of Parallels RAS for MSPs
Parallels® RAS (Remote Application Server) is a comprehensive virtual application and desktop delivery solution that provides built-in components such as multi-factor authentication (MFA), SSL, and load balancing. It also offers a unified and intuitive management console, including FSLogix Profile Container integration, automated image optimization, configuration wizards, and a customizable set of tools to configure Microsoft Remote Desktop Session Hosts (RDSH).
Some more detail on the built-in components of Parallels RAS follows…
MFA (multi-factor authentication): Parallels RAS includes MFA as a built-in component, which adds an extra layer of security by requiring users to provide multiple forms of identification to access their applications or desktops. By having MFA integrated into the solution, MSPs don’t need to invest in separate MFA solutions, thereby reducing costs.
SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Parallels RAS uses SSL encryption to secure data communication between the client and the server. SSL certificates are included and managed within the solution, eliminating the need for MSPs to purchase and manage Secure Sockets Layer certificates separately, reducing both upfront and ongoing associated costs.
Load balancing: Parallels RAS incorporates load balancer capabilities, distributing incoming client connections across multiple servers. This ensures optimal resource utilization and prevents any single server from becoming overloaded.
Lower TCO: Parallels RAS offers a single license model, simplifying licensing and reducing cost complexities. This means that MSPs can achieve significant cost savings by choosing Parallels RAS over more expensive and complex alternatives. The lower license cost allows MSPs to allocate their budget more efficiently and potentially pass on the cost savings to their clients.
24/7 technical support: MSPs must provide expertise, ensure smooth operation, minimize downtime, deal with client requests, and address any technical issues that may arise. Parallels RAS offers free 24/7 support, which means MSPs can access assistance whenever they encounter technical issues. Having access to reliable vendor support enhances a MSP’s ability to provide excellent customer service and support to their clients.
On-premises and multi-cloud: Parallels RAS is a versatile solution that seamlessly integrates with both on-premises and multi-cloud strategies. By using Parallels RAS, MSPs can effortlessly deploy and manage virtual environments across a variety of cloud platforms including Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and more. The ability to leverage on-premises, public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid environments enables MSPs to tailor the strategies to meet the specific performance, security, and compliance requirements of each individual client.
Technical training and certification: Partnering with Parallels RAS provides MSPs with free technical training, enabling them to enhance their team’s expertise and skills in deploying, managing, and maintaining virtual application and desktop solutions.
Conclusion
MSPs benefit from Parallels RAS’s all-in-one solution thanks to the single license model, a range of comprehensive built-in features, simplicity in deployment and an intuitive user-friendly administration and management console, all of which contribute to cost savings for MSPs while enabling them to deliver a comprehensive and secure virtual application and desktop delivery solution for their clients.
Since MSPs do not need to invest in additional licenses, ongoing maintenance, or additional technical support and training when partnering with Parallels RAS, their costs are reduced. Moreover, Parallels RAS makes it easier for MSPs to deploy and manage virtual application and desktops solutions for the clients without the need for extensive training or specialized expertise.
