As hybrid and remote models continue to redefine how we work, virtual desktops have become essential for keeping teams productive. Managing the performance of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI)—whether on-premises or in the cloud—can be challenging. Employees need reliable tools, and IT teams must proactively ensure virtual desktop environments deliver seamless experiences.

That’s why 1E is proud to offer VDX solutions for both on-premises Citrix environments and now Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD). On February 10, we officially launched VDX support for AVD, bringing powerful performance monitoring and optimization capabilities to cloud-based environments. Our solutions are designed to help organizations improve virtual desktop performance, reduce IT frustrations, and deliver exceptional digital employee experience (DEX).

Here’s a look at the challenges, best practices, and how VDX fits into your strategy for success.

The stakes of DEX in virtual desktop environments

When it comes to a hybrid world, virtual desktops are more than just a tool—they’re a productivity lifeline. But when performance suffers, employees lose time, IT teams are overwhelmed, and productivity grinds to a halt.

Consider this: Employees report that technology directly impacts their ability to do their jobs well. A poor digital experience affects not just productivity, but also morale and retention. In fact, 52% of employees say it makes them more inclined to leave their jobs.

Organizations that prioritize proactive monitoring and optimization can stay ahead of these issues. This ensures their virtual desktop environments are fast, reliable, and frustration-free.

Common challenges with virtual desktops

Even the best virtual desktop solutions come with hurdles:

  • Network issues: Latency, bandwidth constraints, and unstable connections can cause slow logins and poor application performance.
  • Resource constraints: Insufficient CPU, memory, or storage leads to performance bottlenecks and app crashes.
  • IT overload: A flood of support tickets tied to slow desktops and performance issues can quickly overwhelm IT teams.
  • Application compatibility: Not all apps run smoothly in virtualized environments, leading to user frustration.

Addressing these challenges requires a proactive, data-driven approach to monitoring and improving.

Best practices for optimizing virtual desktop performance

To ensure employees get the best digital experience, follow these best practices:

1. Proactively monitor your virtual desktop environment

Don’t wait for problems to arise. Proactive monitoring tools, like VDX for Citrix and AVD, help identify bottlenecks before they affect users. IT teams gain real-time insights into login times, application responsiveness, and network performance.

2. Benchmark against industry standards

Understanding how your environment performs compared to others is key. With crowdsourced telemetry, VDX lets you compare login speeds, network quality, and other metrics to identify opportunities for improvement.

3. Optimize resources in real-time

Monitor resource consumption—CPU, memory, and storage—to avoid bottlenecks that degrade performance. Dynamically scaling resources during high-demand periods ensures users always have what they need.

4. Test and improve application performance

Some apps perform better than others in virtual environments. Regularly test for compatibility and prioritize apps critical to employee workflows.

5. Combine performance metrics with employee feedback

Quantitative data only tells part of the story. Combine metrics with direct employee feedback to understand where digital experiences fall short and make targeted improvements.

How VDX from 1E helps you excel

1E’s VDX solutions are built to meet the demands of both on-premises and cloud-based virtual desktops.

  • VDX for Citrix ensures on-premises environments run efficiently with real-time monitoring and proactive optimization.
  • VDX now supports AVD, bringing these same capabilities to Azure Virtual Desktop, helping IT teams manage and enhance cloud-based desktops easily.

Key Benefits:

  • Real-Time visibility: gain instant insights into performance metrics, from login times to network bottlenecks.
  • Proactive monitoring: Detect and resolve issues before they impact end-users.
  • Crowdsourced benchmarking: Leverage anonymized data to identify where you stand and where you can improve.
  • Integrated platform: manage both Citrix and Azure Virtual Desktop environments seamlessly.

Deliver exceptional DEX with 1E

The success of your virtual desktop environment hinges on your ability to monitor and optimize performance proactively. With VDX now supporting AVD and Citrix, 1E equips IT teams with the tools they need to deliver smooth, reliable virtual desktop experiences. This works to reduce downtime, improve productivity, and keep employees engaged.

With the recent launch of VDX support for Azure Virtual Desktop, now is the perfect time to ensure your virtual desktop strategy is future-ready.

Ready to learn more? Contact us today for a demo or to explore how VDX can transform your virtual desktop environment.