I'm gearing up for a proof of concept for AWS Workspaces soon. We might consider a Bring Your Own License (BYOL) approach, but that's not set in stone. Our servers are currently hosted on AWS EC2 and everything seems to be functioning well. Since the pandemic, all our employees have been working from home, and we've phased out our physical offices. Most of our team uses laptops that are nearing their end of life, and with Windows 10 reaching its retirement date and no Windows 12 release scheduled, we're at a crossroads. We need to either invest in new laptops or explore Desktop as a Service (DaaS) options like AWS Workspaces for approximately 50 office, sales, and marketing staff, who are primarily non-technical users. Given that we already use various cloud services (O365, CRM, VoIP, etc.) and have minimal on-premise needs, I'm curious if transitioning to AWS Workspaces makes sense or if we should just stick with purchasing new hardware. Would love to hear opinions from anyone with experience in this area!
4 Answers
When it comes to AWS Workspaces, keep in mind that they operate like individual terminal servers rather than providing a full Windows 11 Pro experience. This might lead to some authentication hiccups. Honestly, if you're considering DaaS, Windows 365 might be a better fit since it runs on proper Windows 11 and offers a more seamless experience for everyone.
Just a heads-up: if you're thinking of going DaaS, don't forget about endpoint security! Even with Workspaces or Windows 365, you'll still need to ensure your devices are secure and managed properly, especially for employees who might not have personal computers suitable for work.
Absolutely, security is a priority. I’m planning to address that as part of our transition planning.
I've run trials with Windows 365 for different user needs, and both tests went really well! The setup was fast, policies easily transferred, and users were asking for it to continue after the trial. If cost is manageable for you, I think it could streamline things for your staff without the hassles of traditional desktops. Plus, it’s great for disaster recovery situations—we can spin up machines quickly without much fuss!
Good to know! Quick setups are exactly what we need. Sounds like it might make our DR strategy even smoother.
Honestly, with your current setup, I'd say AWS Workspaces could work, but it’s important to remember that ultimately you may still need to provide company laptops or devices for some users. Not everyone may have a reliable personal device for work, so that's something to keep in mind while making the decision.
That’s a good point. I hadn’t considered how many employees might not have suitable personal devices. I’ll have to factor that into our planning.
Thanks for pointing that out! I didn't realize there could be sign-in issues. I’ll definitely weigh Windows 365 more seriously now.