In today’s digital world, organisations are looking for new ways to modernise their legacy applications and bring them up to date with the latest technologies. Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a great way to do this, by providing a virtual solution to transform existing applications and make them more efficient and secure.
AVD enables organisations to move their existing applications to the cloud, while still providing users with the same familiar experience on their desktop. With AVD, organisations can also benefit from increased scalability, faster deployment, and improved security.
In this article, we will discuss how to modernise legacy applications with Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop and the various benefits it can bring to your organisation.
What is AVD?
Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) is a cloud-based solution that allows users to install and run virtual machines (VMs) of Windows applications on premises. The user experience is exactly the same as when running on a physical machine, regardless of where they are. Users can access their AVDs from their personal computers, workstations, tablets, or phones.
AVD can be deployed quickly, as it does not require any server deployment skills. It also scales better than traditional VM solutions, making it ideal for departments that have a large number of users that require access to legacy applications.
What are legacy applications?
Legacy apps are applications that were created in previous generations of computers – often using older programming languages and technologies. As a result, they can be difficult to update or maintain, as they are often not designed with scalability or security in mind, and have a steep learning curve for new users.
Application modernisation is the process of taking these existing legacy applications and modifying them to meet the needs of the present day. It can involve anything from minor updates and tweaks to major overhauls and upgrades.
The benefits of app modernisation
Security is of utmost importance as it helps to protect all of the data associated with the application. By modernising an application, the security protocols can be updated and improved, making it more difficult for malicious actors to infiltrate and access sensitive information.
Reliability is also improved by application modernisation, as any bugs or glitches can be quickly identified and fixed. This reduces the number of downtimes and ensures that the application runs smoothly and efficiently.
Compatibility is another key benefit of application modernisation. By regularly updating and upgrading the application, it becomes easier to ensure that it is compatible with other systems and applications. This makes it simpler to integrate the application into existing infrastructure and allows users to access the application on any device.
Modernisation also increases the agility of the application. This means that it is more responsive and can easily adapt to changing circumstances. This makes it easier to introduce new features and functionalities to the application, as well as to make changes and improvements that can be implemented quickly and easily.
App modernisation strategies
Rehost: The simplest form of application modernisation, involving moving an application from one hardware platform to another. Also called “lift-and-shift”.
Replatform: Taking an existing application and moving it to a different platform without changing the application’s functionality.
Refactor: making small changes to the existing application code to improve its efficiency and usability. This approach is particularly useful for applications that are complex and have multiple components.
Rebuild: A more extensive approach that involves completely rewriting the application code from scratch. This approach helps organisations to take advantage of the latest technologies and improve the application’s overall performance.
Rearchitect: The most advanced application modernisation approach. It involves redesigning the application’s architecture to make it more modular and scalable.
Using AVD to modernise your legacy apps
AVD provides secure access to legacy applications through a virtualised, cloud-hosted desktop environment. It enables you to manage and control access to legacy applications from any location, device, or platform, and ensures that your data is secure at all times.
AVD allows for the deployment of applications in the cloud, eliminating the need to manage physical hardware. This means that you can access your applications from any location, without the need to invest in additional hardware.
You will need to create a virtual machine in which to run your legacy application. Once this is done, the application can be deployed in the cloud, and users can access it from any device or platform. This will enable you to securely access your legacy applications from anywhere.
Finally, you will need to configure AVD to ensure that your data is kept secure. You can do this by setting up authentication and authorisation policies, as well as setting up encryption protocols. This will ensure that only authorised users have access to your data and applications. With these security measures in place, you can be sure that your legacy applications are secure and up-to-date.
Host your legacy apps in AVD with expert assistance
AVD can be a great way to modernise legacy applications and ensure that they are secure. By leveraging the cloud, you can access your legacy applications from any location, device, or platform, providing a secure environment for your people to work effectively.
The Azure specialists at Steadfast Solutions can help you get started with AVD, from configuring the platform to meet your specific business needs, modernising your apps with Azure, and managing the environment for maximum security and performance. Talk to them today and find out more.