Workers in traditional business environments have always been vulnerable to productivity loss for many reasons. Downtime caused by PC refreshes, updates or simply by being away from the office is commonplace - a large dose of inconvenience that you’re almost certainly familiar with.
But technological innovations are changing the modern workplace for the better.
Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) is a perfect example of this. Coupled with the current movement towards using thin clients, VDI allows IT departments to deliver apps and desktops to users on demand – and on any device.
This means that, instead of having to shell out money on pricey PC purchases every few years, enterprises can opt for desktop virtualization technology that delegates the processing tasks to a datacenter. On top of that, existing computers can be replaced with thin clients to further cut costs.
This concept is especially attractive when it comes to business laptops. These devices have traditionally presented significant difficulties for IT departments. But now, VDI means that virtual updates and patches can be applied, data can be backed up easily and devices can be supported regardless of their location. Desktop virtualization keeps IT managers happy by ensuring data security, and keeps workers happy by delivering a seamless user experience. Taken together, all this results in a low-cost yet effective way to connect remote workers, enable real-time virtual collaboration and improve the entire BYOD experience.
Better Together over Ethernet (BToE)
When talking about unified communications and Skype for Business, one thing that should definitely not be overlooked is the Better Together over Ethernet (BToE) application. The best way to describe BToE in layman’s terms is thus: in any given enterprise, if the center of attraction for knowledge workers is the Skype for Business client, and for traditional workers it is the desk phone, then BToE can be seen as the bridge that connects the two. BToE complements the Skype for Business client by enabling full collaboration with the desk phone.
Over the years, in my discussions with customers and users, the topic of supporting BToE in VDI environments has frequently come up. I have often heard it said that such a move would, in effect, close the UC collaboration circle and ensure the best user experience from VDIs.
Simple to Use, Easy to Enjoy
Now, we at AudioCodes have gone ahead and made VDI available through BToE – and we’ve made it as simple as possible to enjoy.
Right from the start, signing in is straightforward. Since most VDI environments are hot desking, where employees don’t have a fixed workstation every day, users can sign in their desk phones through BToE and the Skype for Business client and retain the same speed dial, ring tones and other phone settings no matter where they are sitting.
Then, once a user has signed in, BToE really shows what it can do. It delivers an exceptional user experience, with access to click to call features and direct dialing from the PC, while taking full advantage of the desk phone’s most popular features as well. This is some of what you get:
- Click to call directly from your email application or chat window
- Transfer of calls with a dedicated button
- Redialing
- Directory lookup from the client
- Speaker phone when required
- AudioCodes speech dialing
- Hold button on the phone
- Dedicated headset connection via the phone’s USB port
When all is said and done, AudioCodes has delivered the best user experience for Skype for Business with VDI that you’re likely to find out there. It works with Citrix XenDesktop, and it’s waiting for you today.
To get more information about using Skype for Business with VDI,
click the button below.
