Six Reasons to Choose Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) for Remote Working

[Willa]

Many businesses are rushing to find a solution to support remote workers. Whether they need it right now, to enable employees who are already working from home, or if they're planning ahead to maintain business continuity in the future, it pays to take a look at Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS), a component in Windows Server 2019.

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS)

Setting up RDS solutions for session-based virtualization enables users to leverage the compute power of Windows Server to provide a cost-effective multi-session environment to drive everyday workloads. For example, organizations can run desktop instances on their on-premises server(s) and enable employees to work with those desktops—and their work applications, files, and other resources—from almost anywhere using just about any device. With RDS, employees can still work as if they were sitting at their desks, even when they're sitting in their new home office. With several options and configurations available, organizations have the flexibility to deploy the desktops and applications their employees need in a remote, secure, and cost-effective fashion.

Here are some of the top reasons businesses might want to deploy Microsoft RDS:

1. It's fast and affordable: RDS is already included with Windows Server; users just need to make sure they have the required CALs (more on this in a moment) they can get started using RDS right away.
   
   
2. It offers device flexibility: Employees can access applications from any device—Windows^®, Apple^®, or Android^® computers, tablets, and phones. Learn more about this feature at microsoft.com
   
   
3. It offers deployment flexibility: Users can deploy session-based hosts for a lighter-weight, more cost-effective solution, or take advantage of advanced features using a VDI deployment model¹
   
   
4. It provides high availability: RDS roles are simple to set up and help support high-availability so users can connect without interruptions.
   
   
5. It enables high-end graphics: Users can attach GPUs to their host server or map a GPU to a VM to provide a better experience for power users.
   
   
6. It helps maintain control: RDS enables users to maintain centralized security and control of their data with powerful management tools and automation scripts. Apps and data stay under their control, keeping data secure and reducing the risk of data loss or theft due to lost, stolen, or damaged devices or cyber-crime.

HPE OEM Windows Server 2019 Licensing

If businesses are already running Windows Server 2019, they can get started with RDS as soon as they have CALs in place. Users connecting to a remote session must have a Windows Server User CAL (which they may already have) and also a Remote Desktop Service User CAL. Now is a great time to check in with your customers to ensure their CAL needs are filled, if they are adding access for remote workers, they may need additional CALs. 

Coffee Coaching bonus: Learn about CALs from this quick video and share with your customers so they understand their CAL requirements!

For those organizations that find they might need to upgrade their servers and/or operating system to provide a better experience, HPE recommends our HPE Small Business Solution for Small Office Deployment with HPE OEM Windows Server 2019. Pairing HPE ProLiant Gen10 Servers with OEM Windows Server 2019 licensing from HPE provides many benefits to customers and resellers including one stop shopping, and free 90-day installation support.

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Willa Anderson
Hewlett Packard Enterprise

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