In short
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) runs Windows desktops on virtual machines on company servers, rather than on users’ own PCs, and delivers them over the network. It is for companies with remote staff or branch offices, or that want to keep their data in one place. CybUp designs, builds and secures VDI on Omnissa Horizon or Microsoft RDS, depending on what you need.
What is VDI, and how is it different from Remote Desktop Services (RDS)?
With VDI, each user connects to their own Windows client virtual machine; with session-based RDS, many users open separate sessions on the same Windows Server. Microsoft’s RDS overview draws the same line: the session-based model gives the highest user density, while personal VDI is the most flexible model but also the most resource-hungry.
Which one fits depends on the work people do. For groups that use the same handful of applications, such as an accounts team, a call centre or an operations team, session-based RDS (Terminal Server) is often enough and more economical. VDI suits developers, designers and teams whose applications need admin rights. In many companies it makes sense to run both.
“Remote Desktop Services supports both multi‑session server‑based desktops and single‑session (or pooled/personal) virtual desktops, plus publishing of individual applications (RemoteApp). You choose the right mix of models to optimize cost, performance, and user experience.”
What is the difference between persistent and non-persistent desktops?
With a persistent desktop, the user connects to the same virtual machine every time and their changes are kept; with a non-persistent desktop, the desktop goes back to a clean template when the session ends. The non-persistent model makes patching and application management easier: you update one template, and hundreds of desktops are up to date at the next logon.
In the non-persistent model, user profiles and documents have to be kept apart from the desktop, which makes profile management (folder redirection, profile containers) the deciding factor. A badly built profile setup leads to logons that take minutes and a steady stream of user complaints. We trial this part of the design with a small pilot group before rollout.
“Profile strategy (roaming profiles, folder redirection, or third‑party profile management) impacts logon performance and disk growth; avoid uncontrolled profile sprawl on hosts.”
Which VDI platform should you choose: Omnissa Horizon or Microsoft?
The choice depends on your existing virtualisation platform, your licences and what your users need. VMware Horizon now sits under the Omnissa brand: according to Broadcom’s knowledge base note, the End User Computing (EUC) division, which includes Horizon and Workspace ONE, was transferred to Omnissa in 2024. Omnissa’s Horizon 8 page lists support for persistent and non-persistent desktops, rapid provisioning with instant clones, and platforms including Nutanix AHV, OpenStack, Red Hat OpenShift and public clouds as well as vSphere.
On the Microsoft side, the Windows Server RD Virtualization Host role provides pooled and personal VDI collections on Hyper-V, and in the cloud there is Azure Virtual Desktop. If you choose Azure, we create and configure the subscription and resources on your behalf; see Azure and AWS setup and migration for details. Whichever platform we use, Windows client licensing for VDI is different from licensing on a desktop PC, and we set out your licensing requirements in writing before installation.
What hardware and client devices does VDI need?
VDI moves the load from the user’s computer to the server, so sizing is done by user profile. Someone working in Office applications and someone doing CAD or video work do not need the same resources, and heavy graphics workloads may call for GPUs in the servers. On the storage side, the I/O load from everyone logging on at once in the morning (the boot storm) is the point most often overlooked.
At the user end, existing PCs can act as clients, or you can move to thin clients. Thin clients hold no data, are managed centrally and usually last longer than desktop PCs. Take a 120-seat call centre where two shifts share the same desks: thin clients combined with non-persistent desktops make both management and desk changeovers easier.
- vCPU, RAM and, where needed, GPU sized per user profile
- Storage that can cope with logon peaks
- Existing PCs or thin clients
- Separate storage for profiles and user data
How do you secure a VDI environment?
The biggest security gain from VDI is that data never lands on the user’s device, but that only holds if it is configured properly. We open external access only through a gateway (Horizon’s own access gateway, or RD Gateway on the Microsoft side) with multi-factor authentication, and never expose the RDP port of internal desktops directly.
We restrict clipboard, file transfer, USB and printer redirection by user group: you rarely want the accounts team copying data to a USB stick. We collect session logs centrally and tie desktop templates into the monthly patch cycle. This is not a desktop rental service. The infrastructure runs on your servers or in your own cloud subscription, and it is yours to manage.
What you receive
- VDI/RDS decision note and sizing for each user group
- Installed VDI platform and desktop templates
- Profile management and user data configuration
- Gateway, multi-factor authentication and redirection restrictions
- Pilot group testing and tuning based on user feedback
- Template update procedure and administration documentation
How we work
- 1
User analysis
We map out user groups, applications and where people connect from.
- 2
Design
We decide on the platform, the persistent or non-persistent model, hardware and licensing needs.
- 3
Build
We install the infrastructure, templates, profile management and gateway.
- 4
Pilot
We test with a small group of users over real working days and adjust the settings.
- 5
Rollout
We move the remaining users across in groups and hand over the administration documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Do you rent out virtual desktops?
No. We do not offer desktop or server rental. We build VDI on your own servers or in a cloud subscription opened in your name.
VDI or RDS: which is better for us?
For teams using the same handful of applications, RDS is often enough. VDI fits better where people need their own desktop, different sets of applications or admin rights.
Is VMware Horizon still supported?
Yes. Horizon is now developed and supported by Omnissa. If you already run Horizon, we review your version and licensing and draw up a roadmap.
Are our users’ internet connections good enough for VDI?
For Office applications, an ordinary home or branch connection is usually enough. For video and graphics-heavy work, bandwidth and latency are measured during the pilot.
How much does a VDI deployment cost?
We give you a written quote after reviewing user numbers, applications and your current infrastructure; the review is free.
Does VDI help with KVKK compliance?
Yes. Data stays on the server rather than on user devices, USB and clipboard redirection can be restricted, and sessions can be logged. That makes it easier to control access to personal data under KVKK, Türkiye’s Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 6698).
How long does a VDI deployment take?
It depends on user numbers and the platform. A pilot group is usually ready within a few weeks; rollout then proceeds one user group at a time.