Hi, I’m Kieran—a solution specialist at CXANZ. I’ve been working in the virtual desktop and application space for over two decades, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: the fundamentals of VDI have never stopped being valuable—they’ve just evolved. Big time!
Back in the early days, Server-Based Computing (SBC), the precursor to VDI, was all about making applications usable in a distributed model over painfully slow and unreliable links (ISDN, dial-up… good times 😅). The other benefits of SBC/VDI—centralised control, improved security posture, keeping data off endpoints, and reduced TCO, were realised over time. It wasn’t perfect (I still get chills when someone mentions printing issues), but it worked.
Fast-forward to today, and while the tech has matured, the core challenges VDI solves are still very much alive—and arguably more complex.
Why VDI Is Still So Relevant
Data Backends Supported On-Premises (CVAD)
The short answer: because the problems haven’t gone away. They’ve just evolved.
Today’s hybrid workforce expects to work from anywhere, on any device. IT teams need to deliver fast, secure, scalable access, without blowing the budget. And CISOs? They’re under more pressure than ever to deliver secure platforms without sacrificing end user productivity.
Modern VDI addresses all of this. Done right, it delivers:
- Secure access without handing over the keys
- Consistent user experience across devices from the office to the beach
- Centralised control to enforce policy, patch quickly, and respond to threats
- Agility to scale up or down based on demand
It’s not just a tech solution; it’s a secure strategic enabler.
How VDI Has Changed: The Hybrid Cloud Shift
What’s really transformed VDI is its evolution into the cloud era. We’re no longer tied to the data centre. Now we can:
- Burst to public cloud when workloads spike
- Run on-prem for performance or compliance
- Go full cloud to reduce Capex and simplify operations
The beauty is in the flexibility. Hybrid cloud lets you build your workspace strategy around your business, not the other way around.
And with unified management tools like Citrix DaaS, you can manage it all from a single control plane, no matter where your workloads live.
Use Cases That Still Shine (and a Few You Might Not Expect)
Over the years, I’ve seen VDI used across industries; finance, healthcare, education, and even defence.
Here are the classics:
- Remote and hybrid workforces – secure access, no hardware headaches
- Contractor access – onboard and offboard contractors with minimal effort without sacrificing security.
- Call centres – standardised environments with low-cost endpoints
- Healthcare and Finance – centralised control for compliance-heavy sectors
- DR & BCP – spin up capacity in minutes with no compromise on security
And here are some of the more creative use cases I’ve seen recently:
- GPU-powered VDI for architecture and media design teams
- Pop-up retail and kiosks running full desktops from thin clients or Raspberry Pi’s
- Cybersecurity training labs that reset and rebuild in seconds
- Universities delivering lab environments to students on BYO laptops
What About AI?
Great question. AI is already reshaping how we manage and optimise VDI environments.
We’re seeing:
- AI-driven diagnostics – predicting and remediating performance issues before users call
- Behaviour-based security – identifying risky session behaviour in real time and taking real time automated action to mitigate security risk.
- Automated cost optimisation – scaling cloud usage based on historical usage and smart forecasting
But here’s what’s really exciting: VDI is becoming the platform to deliver AI.
As businesses adopt AI agents, copilots, and custom LLM tools, they’ll need secure, controlled workspaces to run them. You don’t want AI tools leaking data or operating outside policy. Virtual desktops and apps provide the ideal foundation.
How Citrix Has Stepped Up
At CXANZ, we work closely with Citrix, and I’ve been genuinely impressed by how far they’ve come.
It’s no longer just about publishing apps and desktops. Citrix now offers a full stack of workspace security and optimisation tools:
- Zero Trust Network Access – context-aware access based on identity, location, and device posture
- SaaS and web app protection – control, watermark, or restrict downloads—even from browser-based tools
- Endpoint security – with tech from Unicon and deviceTRUST, Citrix secures even unmanaged or thin endpoints
- Deep analytics – tools like uberAgent provide full visibility into performance, app usage, and behaviour
It’s all about secure, intelligent access, whether you’re using Citrix DaaS, Microsoft AVD, or a hybrid of both.
Final Thoughts
VDI isn’t going anywhere, it’s just gotten smarter, faster, and more essential. The rise of AI, hybrid work, and zero trust security is making it more relevant than ever. At CXANZ, we help partners and customers navigate this shift every day. Whether you’re modernising your existing VDI estate, exploring cloud options, or just figuring out what’s next let’s talk.
Work has changed. VDI has too. Let’s build what’s next together! Reach out to our team at CXANZ to find out more about how we can work with you.