Enterprise solutions: Desktop

Worker scenarios for the optimized desktop

1. Office worker scenario
2. Mobile worker scenario
3. Task worker scenario
4. Contractor worker scenario
5. Work from home scenario

Business users expect to be able to access data and applications with a wider array of devices and from an increasing range of locations. This expectation often causes concern for IT professionals, who are responsible for the integrity of the corporate network and business data. The Microsoft Optimized Desktop relieves this common tension between end users and IT by providing the mobility and flexibility end users want, while preserving the security and control that IT professionals need.

In addition to responding to enterprise IT trends, your company must also address the complex needs of different types of end users in the organization. To assist you in defining these needs, Microsoft has identified five common end user scenarios that illuminate the key challenges and opportunities for IT professionals who support business users in their organizations.

Office worker scenario

Office workers are connected to the corporate network most of the time and expect a rich client experience that can handle a broad range of tasks. They use applications such as Microsoft Office, customer relationship management (CRM), and enterprise resource planning (ERP) line of business (LOB) applications, in addition to web and project management tools. Sometimes they move from one workstation to another and want their settings to travel with them.

Office workers need to:

Access personalized applications, data, and user settings no matter where they log in.
Download files and data quickly, even with limited bandwidth.
Find necessary information easily.

The Optimized Desktop provides:

The ability to download files quickly: BranchCache
Access to applications: App-V, user state virtualization
The ability to find files: Search federation

Mobile worker scenario

Mobile workers travel most of the time and are frequently outside the corporate network. They require a rich, thick-client computing experience because they use a variety of resource-intensive applications such as Office or CRM applications. Because they are frequently on the road without Internet access, they need the ability to access applications and data offline.

Mobile workers need to:

Be able to connect to the corporate network easily—wherever they are.
Ensure the security of corporate data on mobile devices.
Get up and running quickly on a new laptop in the event of loss.

The Optimized Desktop provides:

Connection to the corporate network: Direct access
Encryption of corporate data: BitLocker to Go
Replaceable PC: App-V, folder redirection, offline files

Task worker scenario

Task workers have focused and narrow responsibilities, often based on data entry tasks. They tend to use a small number of applications and are always connected to the corporate network. They need to move from one workstation to another because they often use a different workspace for each shift.

Task workers need to:

Access file server data to perform their tasks quickly and accurately.
Connect to applications they need from any terminal in a free-seating environment.

Enterprises that employ task workers need to:

Ensure the integrity of their PCs by not compromising them with unnecessary applications.
Extend the life of older PCs by allowing task workers to use older PCs to access centralized applications.

The Optimized Desktop provides:

The ability to download files quickly: Branch Cache
Application integrity: AppLocker
An extended PC life: Windows Fundamentals for Legacy PCs, Remote Desktop Services

Contractor worker scenario

Contract workers need to give access to their clients’ corporate applications and data to make sure they can get their jobs done. However, often they are working on unmanaged PCs that belong to their employers.

Contract Workers need to:

Have access to their highly personalized set of applications and data on demand.
Full control over their desktops if they are power users, such as developers or designers.
The latest Windows desktop experience, regardless of local hardware specs.

Enterprises employing contract workers need to:

Provide a managed desktop to users who have unmanaged PCs.
Ensure contract workers do not copy or share data outside of the organization.

The Optimized Desktop provides:

Full end-user control of managed desktops on unmanaged PCs: VDI
Ensuring data security: Group Policy

Work from home scenario

Sometimes office workers need to connect to their corporate environment from a non–company-managed PC. This need can occur, for example, during a weather emergency or family situation that requires the employee to work from home.

Home users need:

Increased productivity when they cannot get to the office by connecting to the corporate environment from an unmanaged PC.
Access to all data, applications, and settings from an unmanaged PC.
Data and network security when connecting from an unmanaged PC.