Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop

Full Windows Desktops. Any Device. Any Location.

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) delivers complete Windows 11 and Microsoft 365 experiences to your workforce — from laptops, tablets, thin clients, or even a web browser — secured by Microsoft Entra ID and managed through Azure.

💬 Request AVD Assessment AVD vs. Citrix vs. RDS
🖥 Windows 11 Multi-Session
🔐 Entra ID & MFA
📦 Microsoft 365 Apps Optimized
📈 Auto-Scale VMs
💻 Any Device Access
💰 Reduce Hardware Costs
🛡 BYOD Secure
🧩 FSLogix Profiles
🖥 Windows 11 Multi-Session
🔐 Entra ID & MFA
📦 Microsoft 365 Apps Optimized
📈 Auto-Scale VMs
💻 Any Device Access
💰 Reduce Hardware Costs
🛡 BYOD Secure
🧩 FSLogix Profiles
What is AVD?

Cloud-Powered Virtual Desktops Without the Complexity

Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft's cloud-based Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) platform. Unlike traditional Citrix or RDS deployments — which require expensive on-premises infrastructure, separate licensing, and dedicated IT management — AVD runs entirely in Azure and is managed through a single pane of glass.

NS NextGen IT designs, deploys, and manages complete AVD environments — from Azure subscription setup and image management to FSLogix profile containers and Teams AV optimization.

🖥
Windows 11 Multi-Session
Multiple users share a single VM — dramatically reducing compute costs versus single-session VDI.
📦
Microsoft 365 License Benefit
Microsoft 365 E3/E5 and Business Premium include AVD access rights at no additional charge.
🧩
FSLogix Profile Containers
User profiles roam instantly between sessions — no login delays, no profile corruption issues.
📊
Auto-Scale Host Pools
Scale session hosts up during peak hours and down at night — pay only for active compute time.
✅ AVD Capabilities at a Glance
Windows 11 Multi-Session✓ Included
Entra ID (Azure AD) Authentication✓ Native
Microsoft Teams AV Optimization✓ Included
OneDrive Known Folder Move✓ Included
Conditional Access Policies✓ Included
Microsoft Intune Management✓ Optional
GPU-Accelerated Rendering✓ Available
Included in M365 E3/E5$0 Add-on
Key Features

Everything You Need for Modern Desktop Delivery

🔐

Zero-Trust Security

Entra ID with MFA and Conditional Access means only verified identities on compliant devices can connect — even from personal devices.

Phishing-resistant MFA (FIDO2)
Device compliance enforcement
Privileged Identity Management
💻

Any Device Support

Deliver a full Windows 11 desktop to Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chromebook, thin clients, and even a web browser — no VPN required.

Native clients for all OS platforms
Web client — nothing to install
RDP Shortpath for low latency
📈

Elastic Auto-Scale

Host pool autoscale grows session hosts when users log in and deallocates VMs during off-hours — dramatically cutting compute spend.

Scheduled scaling plans
Load-based autoscale
Drain mode for maintenance
🧩

FSLogix Profiles

FSLogix Profile Containers attach user data as a virtual disk — delivering instant login times and consistent app experience across any session host.

Sub-second profile attach
Azure Files or ANF storage
Cloud Cache for resilience
📦

M365 Apps Optimized

Microsoft 365 Apps, Teams, Outlook, and OneDrive are purpose-built for AVD — with full AV calling optimization for Teams and KFM for OneDrive.

Teams AV redirection (no echo, no lag)
OneDrive KFM & sync
M365 Apps multi-session licensing
🖼

Custom Golden Images

We build and manage your master VM image — keeping apps, drivers, and patches current using Azure Image Builder and Azure Compute Gallery.

Azure Image Builder automation
Versioned Compute Gallery images
Rapid host pool redeployment
Use Cases

Who Benefits Most from AVD?

🏠
Remote & Hybrid Workforces
Give remote employees a full, secure office experience from any location — without requiring company-managed devices.
Law Offices & Legal Firms
Sensitive data stays in Azure — never on endpoints. Perfect compliance posture for bar requirements and client confidentiality.
📊
Accounting & Finance
Run QuickBooks, Sage, or custom finance apps in a centralized, audited environment with full session recording capability.
🏗
Construction & Field Teams
Office staff and field supervisors access the same systems from any jobsite — tablets, phones, or site office PCs.
🏫
Education & Training
Deploy lab environments in minutes, not days. Students get identical software access from any device — no local installs.
📱
BYOD Environments
Let staff use personal devices without corporate risk — data never leaves Azure, Conditional Access enforces compliance.
Comparison

AVD vs. Citrix vs. Traditional RDS

See how AVD stacks up — and when Citrix or RDS might still be the right choice.

Traditional RDS
Windows Server Remote Desktop Services
Windows 11 Experience✕ Limited
Entra ID Native Auth✕ No
Elastic Auto-Scale✕ Manual
On-Prem Hardware RequiredYes
M365 Licensing Included✕ No
Initial ComplexityMedium
Total CostMedium
Citrix DaaS
Citrix Virtual Apps & Desktops / DaaS
Windows 11 Experience✓ Full
Entra ID Native Auth○ Partial
Elastic Auto-Scale✓ Yes
On-Prem Hardware Required○ Optional
M365 Licensing Included✕ No
Initial ComplexityHigh
Total CostHigh
ℹ️ When Citrix is still the right call: Organizations with deep Citrix HDX customizations, legacy published app delivery requirements, or on-premises-only mandates may still benefit from Citrix. NS NextGen IT supports all platforms — we recommend what's right for your environment.
🗺 Our AVD Deployment Approach
1
Azure Environment & Licensing Audit
Verify M365 licensing, Azure subscription setup, Entra ID configuration, and network prerequisites.
2
Host Pool & Image Design
Design session host specs, build a golden image with all required applications, and configure FSLogix.
3
Identity & Security Configuration
Configure Entra ID groups, Conditional Access policies, MFA, and Intune enrollment if required.
4
Pilot Deployment & Testing
Deploy a pilot host pool for IT and power users — validate Teams, M365 Apps, profile roaming, and performance.
5
Full Rollout & Autoscale
Deploy production host pools, configure scaling plans, set up monitoring, and onboard all users.
Our Deployment

AVD Done Right, from Day One

A poorly configured AVD environment leads to slow logins, Teams call quality issues, and frustrated users. Our structured deployment process ensures every component — networking, profiles, images, and security — is configured correctly from the start.

Network topology optimized for AVD (RDP Shortpath, ExpressRoute)
FSLogix Cloud Cache for high-availability profile storage
Teams AV optimization validated before rollout
Autoscale policies tuned to your usage patterns
Azure Monitor + Log Analytics dashboards configured
Ongoing managed AVD service available post-deployment
💬 Request AVD Assessment

Ready to Modernize Desktop Delivery?

Get a free AVD readiness assessment — we'll review your current environment and map out the fastest path to AVD.

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