As a managed service provider (MSP), Atlanta-based Decision Digital helps small to medium-sized businesses achieve their goals with tailored IT solutions. Having managed Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop manually at a previous company, Scott Key, Service Delivery Manager at Decision Digital, knows managing cloud environments efficiently is no small task. “The company was trying to do everything manually within the Azure platform,” he recalled, “so as you might imagine, that was rather overwhelming.”
When he joined Decision Digital, Key encountered a tool that transformed AVD management: Nerdio Manager for MSP. “My initial thought was, ‘Where on earth was this four months ago when I was at the other company trying to do Azure management manually?’” he laughed.
Game-changing efficiency with Nerdio
Nerdio’s platform quickly impressed Key. “I was absolutely blown away by the platform,” he shared. “It gives me a high-level overview of where things are, what type of hardware is in use, and the resources consumed in the environment.” Nerdio Manager’s robust capabilities allow Key to manage user assignments, easily create host pools, and connect directly to user sessions—a huge time saver in troubleshooting. He estimates saving an hour weekly from this functionality alone.
Nerdio Manager was also able to automate many other crucial tasks for MSPs tasks, including updating images and managing Windows patching. “With the scripted actions in the Nerdio platform, I have technicians that can literally just click a button rather than manually executing each step,” Key explains. Nerdio Manager’s automation saves Decision Digital approximately 12 technician hours annually on patching alone.
Saving time and headaches
Key’s experience with Nerdio transformed not just his workflow but his peace of mind. Building new environments became faster and easier. “I could literally build out an environment with Nerdio Manager and be ready for production in a matter of 30 minutes,” he shared. “Manually, that would take a week.”
Automation also reduces human error, simplifying tasks that once required extensive double-checking. “There’s no more ‘Did I do this?’ or ‘Did I do that?’ for things like adding a network card or IP address. With Nerdio Manager, you just fill in a couple of fields, click a few buttons, and you’re off and running,” says Key. “You have a server within about 10 minutes.”
Reflecting on Nerdio’s impact, Key observes, “To be 100% honest, the whole Nerdio Manager platform is a huge time saver. And it’s not only the time you save—it’s the frustration and the headaches.”
A true partnership
For Decision Digital, Nerdio’s support goes beyond routine assistance—it feels like a true partnership. Key recalls a situation when his team needed a recovery effort. A quick message to his Nerdio representative resulted in a solution within four hours, even with a submission at 3:00 am. “He saw my message and immediately connected me with the proper resource.”
This proactive partnership extends to Nerdio’s innovation. When Decision Digital wanted automated application updates included in the product, Key simply mentioned it to a Nerdio representative. “Two months later, he tells me, ‘Remember how you wanted to automate QuickBooks rollouts? That’s coming out in one of the updates soon,’” Key recalls with appreciation.
Decision Digital’s expectations for a partner are high, but Nerdio reaches them easily. “We want to push the boundaries of how we use the platform and get the most value from it,” says Key. “And Nerdio delivers. Every single month, above and beyond.”