Microsoft Technical
How We Helped a Partner Deliver a Windows Virtual Desktop POC and a Nationwide Rollout During the Pandemic
| 4 min read
- Ashok Patel Director of Technical Services
During the pandemic, many organizations had to quickly shift to remote work without compromising security or productivity. One of our partners reached out with a client who needed exactly that: a dependable, scalable, and secure platform that could support their teams across the country. They wanted to see if Windows Virtual Desktop (now Azure Virtual Desktop) could solve their immediate challenges, and they needed answers fast.
Our team stepped in to help them validate the platform, build a realistic pilot, and, once the results were clear, scale it into a full production rollout supporting 250 users nationwide. Looking back, the project not only helped the client stabilize their operations, but it also strengthened our working relationship with our partner. Together, we delivered a solution that met the moment with the right mix of speed, structure, and long-term value.
30 Day Proof of Concept
We started with a focused 30 day POC for 10 users. The goal was to give them a realistic view of how AVD would perform with their applications, workflows, and security requirements. We kept complexity to a minimum.
We deployed a clean environment and built a custom configuration that included:
- Microsoft Office
- OneDrive Sync
- Adobe Reader and Adobe Pro
- Mortgage and financial applications
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Conditional access and secure access policies
Throughout the pilot, we held weekly check-ins with the client and our partner. This allowed us to make quick adjustments, address user feedback, and finetune the configuration. We also ran a full performance and sizing exercise so the client understood what would be required to support a broader rollout.
The result was clear: the platform worked, users were productive, and the client could see how AVD would fit into their long-term strategy.
Document Access and Compliance
While the desktop environment was important, the bigger operational requirement was secure document access. Their financial documents needed to be accessible short-term but also governed properly for compliance. Together with our partner, we built a design for a 90 day document workflow that supported both productivity and compliance:
- SharePoint document libraries synced into AVD
- Access expired automatically after 90 days
- Older files moved into a secure long-term archive
- Consistent permissions regardless of user location
This process helped the client simplify how their teams accessed sensitive information while reducing the risk of data lingering beyond the allowed timeframe.
Scaling to 250 Users and 30+ Virtual Machines Nationwide
Once the POC wrapped up successfully, the client made the decision to move forward with a full rollout. At this point, employees were spread across multiple states, and the organization needed one standard, secure experience for all of them.
We built a production environment that included:
- A custom AVD image with all required apps and baselines
- Over 30 virtual machines deployed across scalable host pools
- Autoscaling rules to control Azure compute costs
- Performance tuning and session optimization
- Unified security and access controls across all locations
Autoscaling played a major role in controlling costs. The system scaled up during heavy usage and scaled down when demand dropped. This ensured the client had the capacity they needed without paying for unused resources—a key requirement during a time when budgets were tight.
By the end of the rollout, all 250 users had a consistent and secure work environment, regardless of where they were located.
Client Benefits
The client saw several immediate benefits. First and foremost, they had business continuity during an incredibly disruptive and confusing period for business. Employees had consistent productivity and performance across the company while building strong compliance controls for sensitive documents. There was also cost saving through autoscaling, centralized management and reduced IT overhead with standardized desktops.
They were able to continue operating without downtime or security compromises, and they gained a platform that would support their long-term remote work strategy.
Partner Benefits
For our partner, the project demonstrated the value of collaborative delivery. Bringing us in allowed them to offer a deeper technical capability, deliver a more complete solution, and strengthen their relationship with the client. It also established a repeatable engagement model that we can use together on future AVD, security, and cloud modernization projects.
The project showcased how well our teams align in terms of expectations, execution, and communication. It became a real example of how partnerships can drive stronger outcomes for everyone involved.
Looking Back
This project stands out because of the timing and the impact. The client needed help fast, and with the support of our partner, we delivered a solution that allowed them to continue operating safely and effectively during the pandemic. Our collaboration was strong, our execution was predictable, and the final result delivered long-term value long after the immediate crisis had passed.
It’s a great example of what can be accomplished when the client, partner, and delivery team are aligned and focused on the right outcomes. I’m proud of the work our team did and appreciate how well we collaborated with our partner to make this deployment successful.
