Virtual desktop infrastructure was recently named as the No. 3 highest “low-risk/high-reward” technology in Computer Economics’ “Technology Trends 2014” study. Given the predictable cost structure of the technology, as well as its maturity, companies have a strong incentive to embrace it. And the incentive is even stronger when VDI is delivered through a managed services cloud provider, cutting out the capital investments that can otherwise be an impediment.

“VDI can ease desktop support and shrink energy consumption, but the advantages come at a cost,” FCW contributor John Moore wrote in a recent article. “Organizations might need to invest in data center infrastructure – servers, storage, software and networking – to make the technology work. They will also need to train or hire employees to maintain the virtual environment.”

Given these up-front costs, many organizations are moving to a cloud-based VDI deployment model, Moore noted. By working with a third-party managed services partner, companies can not only outsource capital investments, they can simplify management and access state-of-the-art infrastructure subject to constant refresh cycles. A VDI solution delivered through a managed service provider’s data center can dramatically improve the effectiveness and cost efficiency of the technology – already a remarkably effective tool.