Cutting IT Costs: How Azure Virtual Desktop Reduces TCO and Maximises ROI

Running legacy IT systems can often feel like driving a vintage car: dependable at first, but increasingly costly and inefficient over time. What was once an optimal setup becomes a major budgetary burden due to expensive parts, constant maintenance, and lacklustre performance. Unfortunately, many enterprises find themselves in this very situation, especially when sticking to outdated virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI).

Take, for instance, the case of a leading global data centre provider that faced escalating costs and operational complexity with its long-standing Citrix setup. What started as a reliable system had become a major cost burden, with license fees, hardware updates, and unexpected patching using resources that could be better spent elsewhere. This client reached a critical crossroads, recognising that they needed to modernise their infrastructure to remain competitive and cost-effective.

The Challenge of Outdated Legacy IT Operations

Without a clear roadmap for modernising their desktop and endpoint services, this data centre provider experienced several recurring challenges:

• Escalating Costs: License fees, hardware refreshes, and emergency patching added to an ongoing stream of unpredictable expenses. Legacy remote desktop services became a financial burden rather than a proactive investment.
• License and Architecture Rigidity: Older systems like Citrix locked the business into fixed capacities and outdated license models that rarely align with actual usage, resulting in wasted resources and inefficiency.
• Operational Overhead: Managing, imaging, and troubleshooting the infrastructure consumed valuable engineering time, leaving little room for innovation and business-critical initiatives.

This was where the Citrix to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) migration came into play. Traditional virtual desktop environments often carry hidden, long-term costs, but by transitioning to AVD, this provider could unlock both cost savings and operational efficiency.

Why Transitioning to Azure Virtual Desktop Was the Smart Choice

The AVD implementation transformed their IT infrastructure at every level, helping them move away from expensive, rigid legacy systems to a more dynamic and scalable solution.

Here’s how the shift benefited the business:

1. Shift from Fixed to Consumption-Based Costs: By adopting Azure Virtual Desktop, the company replaced costly, static infrastructure with a flexible, usage-based model. This is a key advantage of cloud desktop solutions like AVD, as they allow businesses to scale according to need, paying only for what they use. In fact, organisations that migrate to cloud-native virtual desktops typically see up to 70% lower infrastructure and management costs compared to older, on-premise setups¹.
2. Geographic Redundancy and Consistent Performance: Deploying across multiple regions (including the UK South and Southeast Asia) allowed the company to ensure redundancy and performance consistency for its geographically distributed teams. Microsoft AVD setup offers built-in geographic resilience, making it an ideal solution for global organisations needing secure and reliable access to virtual desktops.
3. Reduced Operational Overhead: Azure Virtual Desktop allows for centralised management, automated scaling, and seamless updates, which significantly reduces administrative effort. The IT team could now focus on more strategic initiatives, such as enhancing user experience and driving innovation, rather than spending time on routine maintenance.

The Advantages of AVD for Citrix Migration

Migrating from Citrix to AVD provides a range of additional benefits, particularly for businesses that have outgrown traditional VDI solutions. These include:

• Simplified Secure Remote Access: AVD allows businesses to provide secure remote access to employees across the globe. This is increasingly important as hybrid work environments become the norm.
• Scalability: As organisations grow, Microsoft AVD setup ensures the IT environment scales seamlessly, allowing the organisation to support more users without the need for costly hardware upgrades or complex infrastructure changes.
• Enhanced Security: With AVD, the virtual desktops are hosted in a secure, compliant cloud environment, reducing the risks associated with on-premise IT systems. Azure Virtual Desktop security best practices ensure compliance and data protection.
• Reduced IT Costs: Moving to hosted desktop services like AVD can significantly lower the total cost of ownership (TCO). There are no upfront infrastructure costs, and the pay-as-you-go model ensures the business only pays for what it needs.

How Wavex Can Help You Cut Overheads and Modernise Your IT

At Wavex, we view modern IT as a foundation for growth, not a limitation. By focusing on solutions that are secure, scalable, and easy to manage, we empower organisations to modernise their IT infrastructure without compromising on performance or security.

We specialise in Citrix migration and AVD implementation, guiding clients through every step of the transition to ensure they achieve maximum ROI. Whether you’re looking to migrate to cloud desktop solutions like Azure Virtual Desktop or simply want to streamline your remote desktop services, our team is here to help.

Our approach is rooted in providing strategic insight, technical expertise, and continuous support, so your organisation can unlock a future-ready, cost-efficient IT environment that fuels both performance and innovation.

Don’t let outdated IT systems drain your budget and stifle growth. Reach out today to explore how Azure Virtual Desktop and modern IT infrastructure can help you save big, boost efficiency, and set your business up for long-term success.

¹Citrix Daas with Azure Virtual Desktop Whitepaper

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)?

   Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is Microsoft’s cloud-based desktop and app virtualisation service. It enables businesses to deliver secure Windows desktops and applications from the Azure cloud, allowing employees to work from anywhere, on any device.

2. How does Azure Virtual Desktop differ from traditional VDI solutions?

   Traditional Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) relies on on-premise servers and complex management. AVD, on the other hand, runs entirely in the Azure cloud, offering better scalability, simplified administration, and a pay-as-you-go pricing model that reduces hardware and licensing overheads.

3. Why is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) useful for businesses?

   AVD helps businesses modernise their IT environments by lowering costs, improving security, and enabling hybrid work. It simplifies desktop management, ensures secure remote access, and allows organisations to scale resources instantly without new hardware investments.

4. What are some real-world use cases for Azure Virtual Desktop?

   AVD supports a range of business needs, such as:

   • Project-based teams that need temporary access to secure virtual machines.
   • Contractor or partner access without granting internal network permissions.
   • BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) environments where data must stay protected.
   • Organisations with seasonal demand that need to scale users up or down quickly.

5. Is Azure Virtual Desktop secure?

   Yes. AVD leverages Microsoft’s built-in security, compliance, and identity management features. Data never leaves the secure Azure environment, and multi-factor authentication, encryption, and conditional access policies keep your environment protected.

6. Can Azure Virtual Desktop support a hybrid or remote workforce?

   Absolutely. AVD was designed for flexibility. Employees can securely access their virtual desktops from anywhere in the world using any device, ensuring consistent performance and productivity for both in-office and remote users.

7. How can Wavex help businesses migrate to Azure Virtual Desktop?

   Wavex provides end-to-end support, from assessing your current environment and planning the migration to deploying AVD and providing ongoing optimisation.
   Our expertise ensures a smooth transition with minimal disruption and maximum return on investment.

8. What industries benefit most from Azure Virtual Desktop?

   AVD suits organisations across sectors such as finance, healthcare, legal, and technology, any business that values secure remote access, data compliance, and cost efficiency.

9. What’s the first step to adopting Azure Virtual Desktop?

   The best way to start is with an IT assessment to identify your current infrastructure needs and cost-saving potential. You can reach out to Wavex through wavex.co.uk/contact to discuss a tailored AVD migration plan.