T101.6a - Virtual Machines |
Virtual Machines's have been growing in popularity in the past decade. They also may be called "Virtual PCs" or "Virtual Computers".
This example may be slightly oversimplified. I'm not sure if you can log in via a web browser or if you need to download a small software client that you have to use to log in. If it is the later, this later part is simply for greater security and/or data transfer speeds.
Virtual Machines are an exceptional solution for folks who struggle with managing and maintaining their own PCs or Macs.
This solution is typically more sought out these days by small businesses with a few to a few dozen employees as it eliminates the expensive and complex onsite support they would need to keep a bunch of computers running and up to date.
My recollection is a decent setup from a processing and storage perspective with a few licenses for popular Microsoft Office products may run you $65 to $135/month.
And while that may seem like a lot, onsite PC Support typically runs $85-150/hour with a two hour minimum, so even if you are only getting help every 2 months, it would be cheaper to buy this setup and gain a lot in both flexibility and support.
If you shift much of your work flow to Google Office Suite products (GDocs, GSheets, etc), this really is not a benefit, but if you are committed to Microsoft Office products or other complex local software applications, and the world of computer maintenance and back up systems seems overwhelming, this is something that should be considered.
- You log onto a computer (Mac or PC or Linux or Chromebook or other)
- You open up a web browser window and go to a specific web address
- You login
- You are presented with a complete computer desktop in an internet browser window
- If you maximize the window, you may not realize you aren't working on your own computer
- All your work is then done in that window and in fact, your programs and your data is all being served from cloud servers.
This example may be slightly oversimplified. I'm not sure if you can log in via a web browser or if you need to download a small software client that you have to use to log in. If it is the later, this later part is simply for greater security and/or data transfer speeds.
Virtual Machines are an exceptional solution for folks who struggle with managing and maintaining their own PCs or Macs.
- This eliminates all data backup issues
- Free or low cost computer support for your virtual machine
- Very low technical support needed for local machines
- Ability to purchase software licenses by the month and as needed (great for adding and removing employees)
This solution is typically more sought out these days by small businesses with a few to a few dozen employees as it eliminates the expensive and complex onsite support they would need to keep a bunch of computers running and up to date.
My recollection is a decent setup from a processing and storage perspective with a few licenses for popular Microsoft Office products may run you $65 to $135/month.
And while that may seem like a lot, onsite PC Support typically runs $85-150/hour with a two hour minimum, so even if you are only getting help every 2 months, it would be cheaper to buy this setup and gain a lot in both flexibility and support.
If you shift much of your work flow to Google Office Suite products (GDocs, GSheets, etc), this really is not a benefit, but if you are committed to Microsoft Office products or other complex local software applications, and the world of computer maintenance and back up systems seems overwhelming, this is something that should be considered.