In today’s digital landscape, organizations are increasingly adopting cloud-based solutions to streamline operations, optimize costs, and enhance productivity through innovative approaches, such as flexible remote work strategies.
Microsoft provides essential Microsoft 365 licensing options, such as the E3 and E5 suites, which include at no extra cost access to powerful tools like Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Microsoft Intune. By strategically leveraging these resources, organizations can unlock numerous benefits and achieve a significantly higher return on investment (ROI) for their Microsoft technology investments.
Microsoft 365 Enterprise Licensing
Many organizations leverage Microsoft 365 enterprise licensing already given how prolific Microsoft’s productivity tools and apps are among businesses of all sizes and industries. E3/E5 licensing is used to unlock access to commonly used apps and features such as Windows Hello, Azure AD, Outlook and Exchange, SharePoint and OneDrive, Microsoft office, and many more. If you’re leveraging some of these features currently and you’re not using E3 or E5 licenses, contact Microsoft to see if you can save by converting.
Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)
Azure Virtual Desktop, formerly known as Windows Virtual Desktop, is a cloud-based virtualization service. It enables businesses and their employees to securely access desktop applications and data from anywhere, whether in Azure or Azure Stack HCI (on-premises), on any device. AVD is unlocked with E3 or E5 licensing, offering the following benefits:
- Dynamic Scalability and Flexibility: AVD allows businesses to scale their VDI (virtual desktop infrastructure) in the cloud on-demand, accommodating fluctuations in workforce size or seasonal demand. Additionally, resource-intensive user workloads no longer need to be maintained in costly on-premises environments.
- Enhanced Security and Compliance: AVD provides robust security features, including MFA (multi-factor authentication), RBAC (role-based access controls), and data encryption, ensuring the protection of sensitive data. Organizations with specific requirements can leverage the Azure Government Cloud for added security and compliance.
- Cost Optimization: AVD eliminates the need for managing expensive on-premises infrastructure, reducing hardware costs and maintenance expenses. The introduction of Windows 10 and 11 enhanced cost optimization through the ability to run multi-session workloads, allowing multiple users to utilize desktops or applications from the same virtual machine.
Microsoft Intune
Microsoft Intune is a cloud-based device management solution that empowers organizations to manage and secure devices, applications, and data. When combined with E3 or E5 licensing, Intune offers the following benefits:
- Simplified Endpoint Management: Intune allows businesses to centrally manage and configure endpoints, enforce security policies, distribute applications, streamlining IT administration.
- Enhanced Security and Compliance: Intune strengthens security by enforcing device encryption, securing data access, and enabling remote wipe capabilities in case of a lost or stolen device.
- Flexible Remote Work and Improved Productivity: Intune seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 applications, enabling employees to securely access corporate resources and collaborate efficiently across devices.
Maximizing Microsoft 365 Licensing with Unified Management
In conclusion, E3 and E5 licensing, combined with Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and Intune, provide invaluable solutions for businesses seeking to maximize their return on investment (ROI) from technology investments.
Nerdio Manager for Enterprise and Nerdio Manager for MSP further enhances this ROI by adding automation to management and cost optimization, reducing complexity, and offering comprehensive scaling plans with just a few clicks at any deployment stage. They are the only solutions to integrate and unify the management of AVD, Intune, and Windows 365 in a single management platform with single-pane-of-glass dashboards.
By harnessing the scalability, security, and flexibility of AVD, along with the device management capabilities of Intune, organizations can empower their workforce with secure remote access, simplified device management, and streamlined operations, all at a fraction of the cost compared to existing VDI solutions.
If interested in learning how you can leverage your Microsoft 365 licensing entitlements like AVD and Intune to realize greater ROI on your investment, our team is always happy to consult! Reach out via our Contact Us page.
