How Virtual Desktops Change the Work Environment for RIAs

Virtual desktops, or VDI, allows companies to host different desktops from a data center or server room. Multiple devices and operating systems are a consolidated on a handful of servers as virtual machines that employees access over the network.

Each virtual desktop is the same work environment the employees would use if they were sitting at their desks.

Virtual desktops are growing in popularity among Los Angeles RIAs, who want to:

Centralize control over company and customer data for security reasons
Provide centralized access to mission-critical desktop applications

RIAs embrace VDI as a way to keep proprietary and confidential data off of portable Internet devices such as tablets, laptops, and smartphones, which are easy to lose or steal.

Portable Workplaces

Today’s workplace has changed. Not every RIA sits at their desk the entire day: they meet with clients, attend industry conferences and business lunches, and in general go where the company needs dictate.

Virtual desktops allow a portable Internet device to have its own natively installed OS and a company virtual image with strict controls and access rights applied. Lost or stolen devices can easily have their privileges cut.

Consistency in the Work Environment

A common and properly supported desktop environment can be rapidly deployed across an entire network, with one server supporting several virtual desktops, each of which serves and functions as a standalone unit.

Unlike remote desktop connections, RIAs who connect to a virtual desktop have full access to all associated privileges without having a negative impact on other VDIs or the host server.

Easier Troubleshooting

VDI eliminates the onerous task of sending techs out to service individual machines. Virtual images can be accessed from any linked location. So if an RIA experiences hardware problems on their usual device, they can log into another one and access their applications and data.

Administrative and Maintenance Savings

With virtual desktops, applications, drivers, and patches are only installed once. Every user is accessing that virtual image with benefit from the updates.

VDI technology can save 30% to 50% of the present cost for IT personnel to support employees’ devices in a client-server environment.

No Expensive Upgrades

Because all digital assets are in the data center, there is no need for upgrading a huge collection of desktop computers in the office. One powerful system with high-performance storage, extra power supplies, a UPS, and high-bandwidth networking capability is all that’s needed to deliver all necessary resources to RIAs.

Bottom Line

Virtual desktops bring individual RIAs and firms a wide range of benefits, including easy deployment, compliance support, and ongoing cost savings.

Financial services professionals can realize a positive return on investment while benefiting from a desktop environment that supports optimum security and productivity.

Have virtual desktop environments made a difference in your investment advisory firm? Let us know your thoughts in the Comments box below.

And to follow-through on the tips introduced in this short article, be sure to download your free guide, Investing in High Net Worth Clients: The LA Investment Advisor's Guide to Using Technology to Manage and Grow Your Firm.