Moving to AVD Part 3: VMWare Horizon to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

With VMware’s recent acquisition by Broadcom, now is the ideal moment for organizations to reassess their Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions. In a recent conversation, Greg, alongside Jim Spignardo, Strategic Solutions Consultant at ProArch, explored the numerous advantages of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). They discussed how AVD can help organizations save costs, scale effortlessly, enhance security, and integrate seamlessly with Microsoft services.

Overcoming VMware Challenges

For many organizations using VMware, the journey isn’t without its bumps. Managing virtual desktops can lead to increased downtime and user frustration. Integrating with existing infrastructure often proves to be a significant hurdle, causing unnecessary overhead and resource strain. By identifying these challenges, businesses can make informed decisions about their virtualization strategies and seek solutions that enhance both performance and user satisfaction.

1. Costly Hardware Investments

One pressing issue with VMware is the hefty upfront hardware investment required. Organizations must allocate substantial resources for servers, storage, and networking equipment, which can be daunting for smaller companies. Additionally, VMware’s shift to a subscription-based licensing model may compound costs, with bundled offerings like VMware Cloud Foundation known to spike prices by as much as 1200%.

2. Management Complexity

Managing VMware often feels like navigating a maze. The multi-layered virtualization environment adds complexity that can overwhelm IT teams. The need for specialized skills and extensive training strains resources, even with VMware’s recent attempts to simplify licensing and structure.

3. Scalability Challenges

Many organizations find that scaling with VMware is a challenge. The system can struggle to adapt to spikes in demand, which slows responsiveness to business needs. While VMware’s new licensing strategy aims for greater flexibility, limitations in scaling infrastructure can lead to additional costs or operational headaches.

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AVD Deployment Best Practices

ProArch’s AVD Deployment Guide outlines proven steps to make your AVD migration a success.

 

4. Licensing Changes and Their Impact

Jim pointed out the significant shift from perpetual licenses to a subscription model in VMware products. This move could make Azure cloud solutions more appealing, depending on what organizations need. Subscription models are not new, but VMware’s bundling of solutions into offerings like VMware Cloud Foundation could lead to steep price increases.

Desktop Risk vs. Resilient Virtual Workspaces

But there’s a better way: Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), a solution that simplifies the management of virtual desktops while enhancing security and user experience. Transitioning to AVD can lighten the load on IT teams. Unlike VMware, which requires manual updates, AVD automates many tasks. This allows IT teams to focus on more impactful work instead of routine maintenance.

Comprehensive Assessment

With AVD, keeping virtual desktops secure and up to date is straightforward. It automates essential tasks such as updates and patches, alleviating common pain points for IT teams.

Benefits of Azure Migrate for VMware Customers

Seamless Integration

Uses familiar VMware tools (vCenter, HCX)

Smooth transition with minimal learning curve

Comprehensive Assessment

In-depth compatibility and cost evaluations

Identifies dependencies for efficient planning

Scalability and Flexibility

On-demand resource scaling

Access to a wide range of Azure services

 

Enhanced Security and Compliance

Built-in security features

Compliance with industry standards

 

Simplified Management

Unified management interface

Automation reduces manual effort

Scalability and Flexibility

The transition to a subscription-based licensing model for VMware products makes AVD an appealing choice. This model offers predictable costs and the flexibility to adjust usage as needed.

With AVD’s consumption-based pricing, organizations can scale resources based on user demand without incurring high upfront costs. As organizations strive to manage budgets more effectively, the financial implications of VMware’s pricing changes—potentially increasing costs by up to 1200%—may drive them to consider AVD as a more cost-effective and adaptable solution.

The Appeal of Subscription Licensing

The shift from perpetual licensing to a subscription model in VMware products makes AVD an attractive option. Subscription licensing offers predictable costs and the flexibility to adjust usage as needed. With AVD’s consumption-based pricing, organizations can scale resources based on user demand without incurring high upfront costs.

As organizations aim to manage their budgets more effectively, the financial implications of VMware’s pricing changes—potentially increasing costs by up to 1200%—could encourage them to consider AVD as a more cost-effective and adaptable solution.

Enhanced Security and Compliance

AVD not only simplifies management but also enhances security and compliance. By automating maintenance tasks, AVD significantly reduces the risk of vulnerabilities, ensuring that virtual desktops are protected without compromising operational efficiency.

Simplified Management

AVD reduces the complexity of managing virtual desktops. Its centralized management platform empowers organizations to oversee operations efficiently, freeing IT staff to focus on strategic initiatives rather than routine maintenance.

Is AVD Truly Cost-Effective?

You might be wondering, “This all sounds great, but what about my budget?” Jim reassures us that robust disaster recovery solutions can be incredibly affordable. “Typically, it costs less than $100 a month to keep it idle if you should need it.”

Robust Solution for Customers

One reason organizations are switching to Azure Virtual Desktop is Azure cost optimization. With traditional VDI solutions, you’re locked into high upfront costs—servers, storage, data centers—plus ongoing maintenance and support.

With AVD, those costs drop significantly. You only pay for the virtual desktops you actually use, eliminating the burden of maintaining expensive infrastructure. Built on Azure’s pay-as-you-go model, AVD enables continuous Azure cost optimization by scaling resources up or down based on real business demand.

Need guidance on your VMWare to AVD move?

Jim Spignardo

Director of Cloud Strategy and AI Enablement

Talk to Our Expert

Moving from VMware to Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) can feel like a big change, but taking it step-by-step, starting with  Azure readiness assesment, makes it much smoother. At ProArch, we’ve helped many organizations run assesments to try out AVD in real-world situations. It’s a chance to see how well AVD fits with your current systems, how it handles performance needs, and how cost-effective it really is—without committing to a full rollout right away.

Thinking about making the switch?

ProArch is a top Microsoft Partner with advanced specialization in Azure. Our Azure Migration Services have helped hundreds of organizations successfully move to the cloud. Contact us.