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Windows 365 Cloud

With Windows 365 Cloud, radically transform the way your business works by adopting a next-generation cloud-based Windows desktop solution. Whether you’re an SME in French-speaking Switzerland or a large organization, Windows 365 gives you access to a complete, secure and high-performance Windows environment, accessible from any device and anywhere in the world.

The cloud office represents the future of modern working. No more hardware constraints, complex upgrades or compatibility issues. With a Windows 10 or Windows 11 cloud desktop, your employees benefit from a fluid, familiar user experience, while enjoying the power and flexibility of cloud computing.

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What is Windows 365 Cloud?

Windows 365 Cloud is Microsoft’s desktop virtualization solution that revolutionizes access to Windows work environments. Unlike traditional solutions that require powerful, expensive physical computers, this Windows cloud service lets you stream your complete Windows desktop directly from the Microsoft Azure cloud.

This cloud-based Windows desktop solution combines the familiarity of Windows with the flexibility of the cloud. Your employees access their personalized working environment via a simple web browser or dedicated app, whether from a PC, Mac, iPad, Android smartphone or even an older computer. The Windows cloud takes care of all processing and storage, delivering consistent performance regardless of the device used.

Windows 365 comes in two main versions: Windows 365 Business for small businesses with fewer than 300 users, and Windows 365 Enterprise for larger organizations requiring advanced centralized management. Both versions offer full access to a Windows cloud desktop with all the applications and features your teams need.

Benefits of the Windows Cloud Desktop for businesses

hybrid cloud

comprehensive access

Connect to your virtual office from any device, wherever you are. Whether you’re telecommuting, traveling or in the office, your Windows environment is always at your fingertips.

data back-up

enhanced security and compliance

Take advantage of Microsoft security, with features such as data encryption, identity management and enhanced access, ensuring your sensitive data is protected. Windows 365 is designed to meet the compliance requirements of modern businesses.

Disaster recovery

easy management

With centralized deployment and management via the cloud, Windows 365 simplifies the management of desktop environments, reducing operational and technical costs. Administrators can easily configure, manage and secure virtual desktops for all employees.

Virtual machines

scalability on demand

Quickly scale up or down your resources according to your business needs. With Windows 365, you can easily adjust the capacity of your virtual desktops, without having to invest in additional hardware infrastructure.

Mobile device management

optimal user experience

Give your employees a smooth, familiar experience. Windows 365 offers a classic Windows interface, combined with the productivity tools of Microsoft 365. Your users benefit from the same performance as on a local PC, but with the flexibility of the cloud.

mobile access to applications

flexible pricing

With Windows 365, you only pay for what you use. Whether you need a few desktops for a small team or hundreds of users worldwide, flexible pricing options let you manage your costs optimally.

Key features of Windows 365 Cloud

Windows 365 Desktop is the ideal solution for businesses that want to modernize their IT infrastructure while offering their employees unrivalled working flexibility.

cloud

Fully personalized cloud office

Each Windows desktop in the cloud is fully customizable to the specific needs of the user and his or her role. Administrators define typical profiles – standard office, developer, graphic designer, data analyst – and automatically deploy the appropriate applications and configurations.

office

Full integration with Microsoft 365

Windows 365 Cloud integrates naturally with the entire Microsoft 365 ecosystem. Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneDrive, SharePoint – all these applications work seamlessly in your cloud office. Real-time collaboration, file sharing and unified communication are native.

connexion securisee

Secure connection and enhanced authentication

Windows cloud connection security is based on several layers of protection. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled by default.

 

Suspicious connections – from an unknown device, an unusual country, at abnormal times – are automatically detected and may require further validation.

High availability and performance

Microsoft commits to strict service level agreements (SLAs) for Windows 365 Cloud, guaranteeing 99.9% uptime. Azure’s global infrastructure ensures minimal latency wherever you are connected.

 

The European data centers closest to Switzerland handle your requests, optimizing response times.

Windows 365 Cloud for businesses in French-speaking Switzerland

Cloud office in Geneva

Geneva is home to a dense economic fabric, with numerous SMEs, innovative startups, international organizations and headquarters of multinational companies. In Windows 365 Cloud, these Geneva-based organizations find a solution perfectly adapted to their specific needs.

For companies in Geneva’s financial and banking sector, subject to strict regulatory constraints, the Windows cloud desktop offers an unrivalled level of security and compliance. Sensitive data remains in European-certified datacenters, meeting the requirements of FINMA and international regulators. Integrated traceability and audit functions make it easy to demonstrate compliance during audits.

Bureau Cloud à Genève : Solutions pour les Entreprises Genevoises

Geneva-based international organizations benefit particularly from the universal access of the Windows cloud. Their staff spread over several continents have access to the same standardized work environment, eliminating problems of compatibility and application versions. Temporary assignments in other countries no longer require the costly shipment of computers – a simple lightweight terminal is all that’s needed.

Geneva’s SMEs in the service sector, including fiduciaries, law firms, communications agencies and consultancies, are adopting Windows 10 and Windows 11 cloud desktops en masse. This solution enables them to concentrate on their core business without maintaining a heavy IT infrastructure. Hybrid telecommuting, which is particularly popular in the Geneva area, becomes simple and secure.

Bureau Windows en Cloud à Lausanne : Digitalisation des PME Vaudoises

Windows Cloud Office in Lausanne

Lausanne and the canton of Vaud are experiencing a strong entrepreneurial dynamic, particularly in the technology, life sciences and education sectors. Windows 365 Cloud supports this digital transformation by offering Vaud-based companies a modern, scalable infrastructure.

The many startups and scale-ups in the EPFL Innovation Park and Lausanne’s technology parks find the cloud office a solution perfectly aligned with their agility and rapid growth. There’s no need to invest heavily in hardware right from the start. They start with a few Windows cloud licenses and gradually increase as their needs dictate. This financial flexibility is crucial for companies in a development phase.

The healthcare sector, which is particularly well represented in the Lausanne region, benefits greatly from the enhanced security of the Windows cloud desktop. Medical practices, private clinics and analysis laboratories manage extremely sensitive health data. Systematic encryption, compliance with medical standards and automatic back-up provide essential guarantees for the protection of patient information.

Lausanne’s educational establishments and research centers use the Windows cloud to offer flexible learning environments. Students can access expensive specialized software from their own devices, without the institution having to equip entire computer rooms. Researchers can collaborate on projects from different sites, regardless of location.

Frequently asked questions about Windows 365 Cloud

Windows 365 Cloud and Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) are both Microsoft Windows virtualization solutions, but they target different needs. Windows 365 offers a dedicated, personal cloud desktop for each user, with simple per-person, per-month pricing. Each employee has his or her own persistent Windows desktop in the cloud, with applications and settings backed up.

Azure Virtual Desktop, on the other hand, offers greater flexibility and customization for large enterprises with complex needs. AVD lets you create pools of shared virtual desktops, finely optimize resources, and integrate advanced usage scenarios. AVD pricing is based on actual resource consumption, which can be more economical on a large scale, but also more complex to manage.

For most Swiss SMEs, Windows 365 Cloud is the optimal choice, thanks to its ease of deployment and management. The Windows 10 or Windows 11 cloud desktop is ready in a matter of minutes without complex configuration, and predictable pricing makes budgeting easy.

Application compatibility is excellent with Windows 365 Cloud. Because it’s a true full Windows environment, virtually all Windows applications run unchanged. Your accounting software, ERP, CRM, specialized business tools, CAD applications, graphics suites – all install and run as normal in your Windows desktop cloud.

However, a few specific considerations apply. Applications requiring interaction with specific local hardware (industrial scanners, specialized medical equipment, physical payment terminals) may require special configurations. Software with very strict copy protection based on physical hardware may sometimes require validation with the vendor to run in the Windows cloud.

We systematically carry out an application compatibility audit before any migration to Windows 365 Cloud. This audit identifies any problematic applications and proposes alternative solutions or specific configurations. In the vast majority of cases, the transition to the cloud office is made without any modification to existing applications.

Access to your Windows desktop in the cloud does require an Internet connection. In the event of a temporary outage, you lose access to your working environment for the duration of the outage. In practice, however, there are a number of ways in which this constraint can be mitigated.

Firstly, the internet connection required is relatively modest. The Windows cloud uses optimized protocols that work efficiently even with limited bandwidth. A 4G connection from a shared smartphone is generally sufficient for standard office use. Worked data remains in the cloud, with only the display transmitted over the network.

Secondly, all your data and work is backed up continuously in the Windows 10 or Windows 11 cloud office. An Internet outage causes no data loss. As soon as the connection is restored, you’re back exactly where you left off, with no loss of information or file corruption.

Thirdly, in areas where connectivity could be problematic, hybrid solutions exist. Some files can be synchronized locally via OneDrive for offline access. Microsoft 365 applications such as Outlook, Word or Excel operate in offline mode, synchronizing automatically once the connection is re-established.

Absolutely! Windows 365 Cloud is particularly well-suited to SMEs, and Microsoft even offers a specific version called Windows 365 Business targeting companies with fewer than 300 users. This version further simplifies deployment and management, making the cloud office accessible even to companies without a dedicated IT team.

For a small business, the advantages are manifold. The absence of a major initial investment eliminates a major financial barrier. A start-up can begin with a few Windows cloud licenses and gradually increase without ever making a major hardware investment.

Simplicity of management is crucial for small businesses. Without a full-time IT administrator, managing traditional PCs takes up precious time that should be devoted to core business. The Windows desktop in the cloud is managed from a simple web interface, accessible even to non-technical users after minimal training.

Professional Windows 10 and Windows 11 cloud desktop security brings a level of protection usually reserved for large enterprises within the reach of SMBs. Microsoft automatically applies all security updates, maintains continuous backups, and provides tools to protect against modern threats like ransomware.

Yes, that’s one of the great advantages of the Windows desktop in the cloud! Windows 365 is totally independent of the hardware you use to access it. You can connect to your cloud office from virtually any modern device.

On the Mac, you simply install the Microsoft Remote Desktop application from the App Store, or connect via a web browser. You then access your Windows cloud, complete with all your Windows applications, while remaining on your Mac. This capability is particularly appreciated by designers and creatives who prefer to work on a Mac but need specific Windows applications.

On iPad and other tablets, the experience is optimized for the touch screen. You’ll find your Windows desktop in the cloud, with a touch-friendly interface. A Bluetooth keyboard turns your iPad into a mobile workstation capable of running any professional Windows application.

On Android or iPhone smartphones, access to the Windows 10 cloud desktop enables rapid interventions on the move. Consult an urgent document, approve a workflow, check a file – you can do it all from your phone. The interface automatically adapts to the small screen size.

This hardware universality transforms your equipment strategy. Your employees can use their favorite personal devices while accessing the company’s professional resources. You reduce hardware purchase costs while offering your employees greater flexibility.

Data protection in Windows 365 Cloud is based on multiple interlocking layers of security. All data stored in your Windows cloud office is encrypted at rest with military-grade encryption (AES 256-bit). Data in transit between your device and Microsoft servers is also encrypted end-to-end via modern TLS protocols.

Microsoft cannot access your data without your explicit permission. You retain full ownership of your information stored in the Windows cloud. Microsoft data centers are subject to some of the strictest security certifications in the world, including ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type II, and numerous industry-specific certifications.

Backups are automatic and continuous for your cloud office. Microsoft maintains multiple copies of your data in geographically distributed datacenters. In the event of a complete datacenter failure, your data remains accessible from backup sites without any loss.

Modern threats such as ransomware are detected and blocked thanks to Microsoft Defender integrated into every Windows desktop in the cloud. Suspicious behavior is analyzed in real time by artificial intelligence systems that identify and neutralize threats before they cause damage.

For companies subject to data sovereignty obligations, Microsoft guarantees that your information remains in European datacenters and never transits through jurisdictions outside Europe. This guarantee is essential for RGPD compliance and the protection of sensitive data.

Deploying Windows 365 Cloud is remarkably quick compared to a traditional IT infrastructure. For a small business with standard needs, the first cloud desktops can be up and running in just a few hours. A user can start working on his or her Windows cloud desktop the same day the decision is made.

For larger or more complex deployments, we recommend a structured, multi-phase approach. A one-week analysis and design phase defines optimal configurations, user profiles and security architecture. A two- to three-week pilot phase with a restricted group validates operation and enables any necessary adjustments to be made.

General deployment can then be spread over a few weeks, depending on the size of the organization, with gradual migration in waves of users. This approach minimizes disruption while allowing feedback to be absorbed and continuous optimization to take place. An SME with 50 users can typically complete its migration to Windows 10 or Windows 11 cloud desktop in four to six weeks from start to finish.

By comparison, deploying a traditional infrastructure with dozens of new PCs would take several months: ordering hardware with delivery delays, manually configuring each machine, installing applications, transferring data and training users. The Windows cloud drastically reduces these lead times, while minimizing the risk of complications.

The Windows desktop in the cloud requires an Internet connection to operate, which is its very principle: applications and data run in the Microsoft Azure cloud rather than locally. However, this apparent limitation is largely mitigated by a number of practical factors and complementary solutions.

Internet connectivity is ubiquitous in today’s business environment. Between fixed connections in the office, WiFi networks everywhere, and 4G/5G packages on smartphones, situations of total disconnection are becoming rare. The Windows cloud works with modest connections – even a shared 4G connection from a smartphone is enough for standard office use.

For critical files requiring occasional offline access, OneDrive and Microsoft 365 applications offer disconnected modes. Important files are synchronized locally, and remain accessible and editable offline. Changes are automatically synchronized to the cloud desktop as soon as the connection is re-established.

In those rare situations requiring prolonged totally disconnected working – a researcher at a remote site with no connectivity, for example – hybrid solutions can be implemented. A minimal local computer for offline tasks, with synchronization to the Windows desktop in the cloud as soon as you return to civilization.

Bandwidth requirements for Windows 365 Cloud are surprisingly modest, thanks to Microsoft’s optimized remote display protocols. For standard office use – web browsing, email, Office applications, occasional video conferencing – a connection of 1.5 to 2 Mbps per user is more than sufficient.

This network efficiency comes from the fact that only the display is transmitted over the network. Applications actually run in the cloud desktop, and only the screen image is transmitted to your local device. Keystrokes and mouse movements travel in the opposite direction, but represent a tiny volume of data.

For more demanding uses – video editing, 3D design, intensive use of multiple high-resolution screens – the bandwidth required increases proportionally. A graphic designer working on several 4K screens may need 5 to 10 Mbps for an optimal experience in his Windows cloud desktop.

Network latency (ping) is more critical than raw bandwidth for perceived responsiveness. A connection with 50ms latency will offer a smoother experience than one with 200ms latency, even if the latter has more throughput. As Microsoft Azure datacenters are distributed globally, most users in Europe benefit from latencies of less than 30ms, guaranteeing excellent responsiveness of the Windows 10 and Windows 11 cloud desktop.

Get started with Windows 365 Cloud today

Your company’s digital transformation starts with a modern, flexible and secure IT infrastructure. Windows 365 Cloud represents this new generation of work environments, freeing your teams from hardware constraints while enhancing security and productivity.

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