An introduction to the Citrix platform
Imagine having the ability to carry your office desktop with you anywhere in the world, accessing it from any device, at any time. This is what a Cloud2Me Citrix Hosted Desktops, (sometimes referred to as Virtual Desktops or Desktops-as-a-Service) promise to do.
These virtual desktops are hosted on servers in secure data centres, allowing users to access their Windows desktop environment, applications, and files over the internet and from a remote location (i.e. from a client’s office, your home or a café). The fact these virtual servers live in data centres, and not an office, means there’s no chance they can be accidentally turned off or easily stolen, making them both secure and reliable.
This technology is especially relevant for accountancy practices, which handle sensitive financial data and require a high degree of flexibility, security, and reliability in their IT infrastructure.
About Citrix workspace and apps
Citrix Workspace is a comprehensive, cloud-based service designed to provide secure access to all the resources employees need to work efficiently, whether that’s virtual apps, desktops, or SaaS applications. Users can access their apps and desktops from any device, at any time, ensuring maximum flexibility and productivity.
Citrix virtual apps and desktops are at the heart of this platform, delivering a seamless and secure user experience by allowing employees to work with familiar tools from a single, unified interface. The cloud-based nature of Citrix means businesses can offer secure access to resources without the need for complex on-premises infrastructure, making it easier to support remote work and maintain high levels of security and reliability.
How the software works
Virtualisation
At the core of our Citrix Hosted Desktops is the virtualisation technology, which creates virtual ‘instances’ of desktops on a server. Each instance can be customised for the individual user’s needs, including applications, settings, and data. Certain information and resources are needed to properly configure and deploy virtual desktops for each user, but this is something a hosted services provider can help with.
Delivery/Streaming
Once the virtual desktops are created, they are delivered to users over the network using Citrix’s HDX (High-Definition Experience) technology.
Citrix often uses an application delivery controller (ADC), such as Citrix NetScaler, to optimise and secure the delivery of virtual desktops and applications over the network. An ADC like NetScaler provides essential functions such as load balancing, SSL offloading, and web application firewall capabilities, which enhance application performance, security, and availability.
This is similar to streaming something like YouTube, but instead of it being a video, it’s a live stream of your Windows desktop which you can interact with! HDX optimises the streaming of graphics, audio, and video to ensure a high-quality user experience, even if you have a slow internet connection or are using an old computer / laptop.
Access
Users can access their Cloud2Me Hosted Desktops from any device, such as a PC, Mac, tablet, or smartphone. This is done through the ‘Citrix Receiver’ or a web browser, which connects the user’s device to their virtual desktop.
Why accountancy practices use Citrix Hosted Desktops
Unmatched Security and Compliance
For accountancy practices, safeguarding sensitive financial data is paramount. Citrix Hosted Desktops excel here, offering robust security features that protect against data breaches and cyber threats. Since data is stored on centralised servers in our UK based data centres, rather than local devices, the risk of data loss from theft or device failure is significantly reduced. Moreover, these solutions simplify compliance with stringent financial regulations, offering peace of mind to practices and their clients alike.
Streamlined IT Management
The nature of accountancy work often requires a degree of mobility that traditional IT setups can’t provide. Whether it’s working from home, visiting clients, or accessing files on the go, accountants need to be mobile without being cut off from their essential tools. Our Citrix Hosted Desktops can help provide this flexibility, enabling access from any device, anywhere, thereby supporting modern work lifestyles and improving work-life balance.
Managing IT infrastructure can be a significant overhead for accountancy practices, particularly those without large IT departments. Our Cloud2Me Citrix Hosted Desktops simplify this by centralising desktop management.
Updates, security patches, and application deployments can be rolled out quickly and efficiently by us, ensuring all team members have access to the latest tools and protections without the need for individual workstation maintenance.
Scalability
Accountancy practices often experience fluctuating workloads, with busy periods like tax season requiring additional resources – both human and technical. Our Hosted Desktops are automatically scaled up (more memory, CPU’s, storage etc) to meet the needs of practices during these busy times, meaning performance never suffers – even at year end. It also makes scaling the IT system easy for fast growing practices. Traditionally more users would mean additional physical servers to meet the demand, but with our Hosted Desktops, we can quickly and seamlessly add more virtual resources as and when you need them.
Reporting (Citrix Analytics)
Citrix Analytics is an advanced tool that empowers businesses to gain deep insights into user behavior, application performance, and security within their Citrix environment. By leveraging machine learning, Citrix Analytics identifies trends and potential issues in application performance, enabling proactive optimisation to ensure a smooth user experience. It monitors unusual activity and potential threats, helping organisations protect sensitive data and maintain a secure environment. With comprehensive data analysis, businesses can make informed, data-driven decisions to enhance resource allocation, improve application performance, and deliver a consistently high-quality user experience across your apps and desktops.
Cost Efficiency
By reducing the need for high-end hardware and minimising the costs associated with managing and maintaining individual workstations, our Citrix Hosted Desktops provide a cost-effective solution for accountancy practices. This cost efficiency, combined with the potential for reduced energy consumption, makes it a financially attractive (and eco-friendly) option for practices of all sizes.
Unmatched Security and Compliance
For accountancy practices, safeguarding sensitive financial data is paramount. Citrix hosted desktops excel here, offering robust security features that protect against data breaches and cyber threats. Since data is stored on centralised servers in UK based data centres, rather than local devices, the risk of data loss from theft or device failure is significantly reduced.
Citrix solutions also enable practices to manage security policies and compliance requirements efficiently from a centralised interface. Moreover, these solutions simplify compliance with stringent financial regulations, offering peace of mind to practices and their clients alike.
Check out our Hosted Desktop page for more information on how we can help your accountancy practice grow, or contact us here to ask for a quote or demo.
