Today more than ever, organizations need to drive productivity and efficiency while meeting their employee’s growing expectations around remote work. This also comes with some challenges for IT departments who need an easy yet, efficient way to manage laptops and desktops. This is where modern desktop can help.
The Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift to remote work and many businesses were able to rapidly figure out a way to allow their employees to work from home. Now, they need to ensure that this mobile workplace is also secure and efficient in the long run for everyone. Making the shift to a modern desktop with Microsoft 365 can help organizations be more productive, more secure and lower their costs as well as start their workplace modernization journey.
A modern desktop will give your organization the following:
- Improved productivity: 2.3 hours per week, per person saved
- Enhanced security: 40% reduction in security risks
- Reduced costs: $7.2M TCO savings over three years, per 5,000 users and 13 months to full return on investment
(Source: Microsoft)
Additionally, with Microsoft end of support for Windows 7 earlier this year and Office 2010 end of life scheduled for October 13, 2020, now is time to go modern.
Modern Desktop Explained
First, we need to clarify what is meant by modern desktop as well as the technologies behind it.
Microsoft defines a modern desktop as a desktop based on Microsoft 365 and that includes these three technologies: Microsoft 365 Apps for enterprise (formerly Office 365 ProPlus), Windows 10, and ConfigMgr & Intune.
What makes the modern desktop approach different is the ability to quickly update via the Microsoft cloud. Let’s take a deeper look.
Windows 10
Windows 10 introduced the concept of Windows as a service five years ago. The latest Windows OS gets upgrades twice a year which is seamless for the user. Also, Windows 10 makes the user experience personal, efficient, and mobile and allows businesses to scale up or down depending on their needs as well as enhance the protection of their systems.
- Intelligent security: Advanced security, powered by cloud intelligence, that proactively protects your business.
- Simplified updates: Tools IT can trust to simplify deployment and updates, freeing your resources to drive more business value.
- Flexible management: Comprehensive device management on your terms that supports on-premises, cloud, or both.
- Enhanced productivity: An intuitive user experience, with built-in tools and features that help people collaborate and work efficiently.
Microsoft 365 Apps for the Enterprise (formerly Office 365 ProPlus)
Microsoft 365 Apps for the Enterprise allows users to create collaborate and communicate seamlessly and therefore make businesses more efficient and agile. It provides access to productivity apps that allow real-time collaboration from anywhere.
It is also the best edition for businesses who want to get the full value out of Microsoft Teams.
In a nutshell, below are the main benefits:
- Real-time and efficient collaboration across all your favorite productivity apps: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, OneNote, Microsoft Teams, etc.
- Enhanced security: Microsoft 365 offers many built-in security features to keep your company’s data safe such as message encryption, Advanced Threat Protection (ATP), mobile device management, and data loss prevention.
- AI-powered creativity: Many of the features are infused with AI-powered creativity. Features such as PowerPoint ideas, morph & zoom allow users to transform ideas into amazing content while saving time.
- Data to AI-based insight: It can also provide AI-assisted features like Excel Ideas where users can turn the ever-growing mass of data into actionable insights easily.
Microsoft Endpoint Manager (ConfigMgr & Intune)
According to Brad Anderson, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft 365, “Microsoft Endpoint Manager is the convergence of Intune and ConfigMgr functionality and data – plus new intelligent actions – offering seamless, end-to-end management solution without the complexity of a migration or disruption to productivity.”
Indeed the combination of ConfigMgr and Intune provides the best of both words:
- Complete device and app management
- The most scale, flexibility, and efficiency
- Security enhanced by the Microsoft cloud
- Cloud-connect in just a few clicks: Once SCCM is cloud-connected, IT teams have immediate access to remote actions from Intune, including client health monitoring, Azure Active Directory, Windows Autopilot, and conditional access.
Now that remote work is settled and here to stay, it’s time for organizations to deliver a modern and empowering workplace that will make both end-users and IT team’s life easier in their “new normal”.
Softlanding has helped many organizations upgrade to a modern desktop.
Read the RECB story to find out more about the numerous benefits.
Written By:
Caroline Blivet
As Softlanding's Marketing Lead, Caroline and is responsible for driving lead generation, developing a go-to-market strategy and, delivering marketing campaigns. Outside of work, Caroline enjoys hiking the beautiful trails of British Columbia.
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