11 Reasons for Remote Desktop
In a recent survey, we learned that half of small and midsize businesses still have remote workers connecting to local systems to access files or applications. While this approach was once the standard, it misses out on the robust, managed file services now available via Microsoft 365 (SharePoint and Teams) and Google Workspace (Shared Drives). 
While moving core business applications to the cloud is more complex than moving files, doing so provides clear benefits for your IT management, as well as for on-site, hybrid, and fully remote workers.
The Challenges of Remotely Accessing On-Premises Files and Applications
Before cloud services became mainstream, remote access to on-premises systems was the only viable solution
Hosted data centers were expensive, and most users worked on-site. While these legacy solutions have been modernized over the years, relying on local, on-premises systems still poses significant challenges:
- Increased Complexity: You have to manage additional hardware, software, and services.
- Performance: VPN services and local network bandwidth limit throughput, causing lag and latency for off-site users.
- Fragmented User Experiences: Remote and on-site users access to the network, systems, applications, and files differently. Hybrid users must navigate two user experiences.
- Security Vulnerabilities: You are responsible for protecting and patching multiple layers of physical and virtual IT components.
- User Experience Conflicts: Managing local storage versus shared access can become complicated and confusing for users trying to collaborate.
- Resource Access Conflicts: Document version control, file synchronization, and shared access often break down when using older applications over a remote connection.
11 Reasons to Choose Cloud-Based Remote Desktop Services
You can dramatically simplify your IT infrastructure by moving file servers and applications into cloud-based environments. Let’s look at the 11 key benefits, broken down by Productivity, Security, and Affordability.
Productivity
1Unified User Experience:
A single method of accessing systems, applications, and files provides a single user experience for on-premises, hybrid, and remote users
2Optimized Performance:
Cloud environments are hosted on high-speed infrastructure, meaning users can get fast, reliable access even on lower-cost home broadband
3Centralized Collaboration:
Keeping all user activity within a single environment simplifies internal communication and file sharing
4Streamlined Administration:
An integrated cloud ecosystem simplifies access requests, permissions management, and user administration.
Security
5Centralized Identity Management:Cloud-based remote desktop services provide a single security service that integrates with your domain and can integrate identity and access management services.
6Enterprise-Grade Infrastructure:
Both Microsoft and Google ensure that the underlying data centers and networks are secure. Your focus shifts solely to securely configuring your specific applications and user accounts.
7Unified Backups:
You can backup all of your productivity data, including emails, calendars, files, drives, and shared drives, with a single service.
Affordability
8Reduced Capital Expenses:
Removing on-premise systems and applications reduces capital expenditures and eliminates periodic, large upgrade expenses.
9Consolidated Software Costs:
You can eliminate the recurring licensing and maintenance costs of standalone VPNs, third-party remote access software, and specialized server backup tools.
10Maximized Existing ROI:
Moving file servers to cloud-native services leverages features already available within your existing Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace subscriptions at no additional cost.
11Scalable Cost Control:
Remote desktop environments can instantly scale up or down to match your current headcount, ensuring you only pay for the computing resources you actually use.
We understand that some applications may still need to run locally, especially those tightly integrated with operations like manufacturing, process controls, and distribution solutions. However, for the rest of your business architecture, a cloud-based remote desktop environment provides unmatched flexibility. Migrating your file servers to the cloud allows you to maximize the value of your existing IT subscriptions at no additional cost.
Help is Here
Completing a seamless migration of your files and applications to the cloud requires careful analysis and strategic planning. We are here to help you succeed. Send us a message or book a meeting with our Cloud Advisors today to get started.
About the Author
Allen Falcon is the co-founder and CEO of Cumulus Global. Allen co-founded Cumulus Global in 2006 to offer small businesses enterprise-grade email security and compliance using emerging cloud solutions. He has led the company’s growth into a managed cloud service provider with over 1,000 customers throughout North America.
