Microsoft integrates virtual desktop, Azure Active Directory

Microsoft has rebranded Windows Virtual Desktop as Azure Virtual Desktop and extra integration with Azure Active Listing.

Past 7 days, Microsoft declared that organizations will shortly have the ability to join the Azure Virtual Desktop’s virtual machine (VM) with Azure Active Listing (AAD). As a outcome, workers can join to the VM to access the virtual desktop from any unit, using their credentials managed in AAD.

Microsoft strategies to eventually provide entire integration in between AAD and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). Upcoming abilities involve solitary sign-on.

AVD will have a speedy-begin method that automates setup jobs. Mark Bowker, an analyst at Organization Technique Team, stated small and midsize firms will find the characteristic beneficial.

“They are in the end simplifying that support so consumers, small and medium firms, can eat a virtual desktop or an application with considerably less complexity,” he stated.

Microsoft expects to make the AAD integration typically out there afterwards this yr for $ten for each user, for each thirty day period for the desktop and its apps.

Microsoft strategies to allow organizations and SaaS companies stream their non-public apps to AVD starting up July 14. The support is out there at no charge until Dec. 31. Commencing Jan. one, Microsoft strategies to charge $five.50 for each user for each thirty day period. The selling price does not involve Azure infrastructure expert services.

Permitting software package companies stream apps to AVD can make it equally more affordable and considerably less admin-intensive for customers, Bowker stated. “Prior to, a software package service provider would provide a package of software package to that organization, and that organization was liable for taking care of and sustaining that package of software package,” he stated.

Microsoft also unveiled in public preview until afterwards in the yr the ability for IT personnel to enroll Windows ten Organization AVD VMs in Microsoft Endpoint Supervisor (MEM). That will allow IT personnel regulate the desktops in the MEM admin middle like shared actual physical devices.

The MEM characteristic will simplify the administration of AVDs and provide a centralized perspective of actual physical devices and virtual desktops, stated AVD standard supervisor Kam VedBrat.

Microsoft rolled out Windows Virtual Desktop in September 2019, a number of months right before the COVID-19 pandemic struck. In 2020, desire for virtual desktops amplified as organizations closed workplaces and experienced workers operate from household.

Maxim Tamarov is a information writer masking cell and conclude-user computing. He previously wrote for The Day by day Information in Jacksonville, N.C., and the Sun Transcript in Winthrop, Mass. He graduated from Northeastern College with a diploma in journalism. He can be identified on Twitter at @MaximTamarov.