VDI Solutions – Overview

The significance of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solutions across businesses of all industries and sizes continues to snowball. That said, with this increasing reliance on leading-edge technologies comes the hurdle of the ever-growing digital skill gap in companies.

The logistics of deploying new technologies – choosing the suitable product, compatibility with existing systems, and installing them – overwhelms the C-suite. Oft-times, organizations ignore equally crucial aspects of the process – employee adoption.

Fortunately, with the right VDI training, business leaders can help their workforces not only embrace innovative technology but also succeed with it. Else, they can never experience the desired results or expected return on investment (ROI), irrespective of how impeccable the solution is.

This article explains 7 strategies for VDI training to drive enthusiastic acceptance of VDI in workplaces, fluidly and effectively.

7 Strategies for VDI Training

Listen to Employees

Before rushing out and purchasing VDI services, business leaders must ask employees for their input. The interaction can be formal (via focus groups or surveys) and informal in the form of casual conversation. Then, they should perform meticulous research to pinpoint productivity obstacles with the current infrastructure that require immediate attention and consult their employees to highlight the missing elements. For instance, organizations can

• Ask the opinions of the department heads. “Will the VDI service streamline employees’ jobs?” “Will the new tech tackle any existing pain point (s)?”
• Create a survey and share it across the board to gather employees’ feedback about the conventional systems and insights on what will optimize their work.

Share the Benefits Company-wide

Employees will readily adapt to the IT change when they understand the loopholes of the current platforms. Kick-starting an internal marketing campaign that answers the “why” and the “how” for employees is a wise choice. Such campaigns that treat employees like end-users will make their jobs better, easier, and faster.

In addition, businesses should organize a video conference to convey the benefits of VDI and promote two-way communication to mitigate potential issues.

Employees are more likely to accept the new tech if companies effectively illustrate its benefits. Hence, for instance, if the VDI software will simplify remote access to mission-critical files, organizations should explain the same to their workforces. This especially applies to less tech-savvy employees, who feel the most uncomfortable while trying their hands at any new tech-based solution.

Offer VDI Training in Multiple Formats

For effective VDI adoption, organizations must provide learning content in various formats, including live videos, written instructions, and in-person workshops, to serve numerous work styles.

Some employees respond best to online learning, while others find a hands-on learning experience more suitable. Case in point, if a business’s outlets exist across regions, such as in hospitality and retail, mobile (just-in-time information) or microlearning resources would be more appropriate.

Likewise, each employee fulfills unique roles and responsibilities. As such, organizations must modify VDI training workshops by department so that employees only understand the tools they need for their duties. Hence, no more wasting time elaborating features and functionalities a particular team will never use.

Pair New Users with Tech-savvy Employees

Suppose a company is looking to adopt VDI to bolster its sales arm. In that case, approaching a few volunteers from the sales team to try out the solution can clear queries, including:

• How will the VDI software benefit the sales team?
• How easy is it to use the solution?
• Will it pose new challenges or negotiate existing ones?

Organizations can utilize these insights to shape the remaining VDI deployment. Also, they should understand that some employees lack a firm grip on technology compared to others.

This offers a ripe opportunity to use these digitally literate volunteers to promote the new technology to their colleagues. Senior-ranking officials should team them up with less tech-savvy employees to help them get up to speed.

Fuse Incentives with VDI Training

Training incentives work when used selectively and complemented with high-quality rewards. The cue lies in understanding employees well enough to determine the rewards that keep them focused and enthusiastic to complete the VDI training. For some employees, the incentive is as straightforward as verbal recognition (in-person or in public) that acknowledges their commitment.

For others, businesses can think of outside-the-box ways to figure out how to keep their workforces engaged. For instance, employees can take an early hour on a Friday afternoon at specific checkpoints. Or, employers can include a delicious catered breakfast or lunch as a regular part of VDI training.

Facilitate Self-guided VDI Training

Getting familiarized with new technology requires repetition. The most effective approach to achieving this is by enabling self-guided learning. For that, organizations can implement the following methods at length:

• Creating a separate sandbox enables employees to experiment with the VDI platform without worrying about disrupting the central IT system.
• Apart from initial live coaching, IT experts should develop bite-sized learning content employees can refer to both during the roll-out and on an as-needed basis. Case in point infographics, step-wise manuals, and audio recordings. These how-to guides ideally stretch at most five minutes and are easily consumable.

More and more employees of all age groups prefer completely independent learning. Therefore, facilitating self-service VDI training is paramount.

Add Fun to VDI Training

Complementing employee training with fun elements and rewards is critical to driving VDI adoption. For instance, organizing a friendly contest where one team uses the traditional system while the other uses the new VDI software. That way, employees can decide on the winner between the two platforms.

In addition, a leaderboard reflecting the names of those employees dedicating the most hours or accomplishing certain targets is another way to promote VDI prevalence. Officials at the higher end of the corporate hierarchy should reward such employees with badges, bonuses, and micro-credentials to foster further participation.

VDI Training is a Must to Avoid Gathering Digital Dust

Companies squander resources on hiring fresh staff, employee coaching programs, and internal communications systems. Additionally, they do so with a properly thought-through strategy. Investing in and deploying VDI solutions is no exception. Following an empathetic, people-centered approach will serve organizations with at-scale workplace productivity and bigger profit margins.

Recruiting a new employee costs organizations around US$ 4700 on average. Hence, enterprises must focus on preparing their current workforce for the ongoing digital shift instead of hiring new people. Besides, the existing employees will have the opportunity to upskill or reskill while on their jobs.

Furthermore, VDI training programs tighten the linkage between companies and their employees as the latter will appreciate the effort dedicated toward their betterment rather than getting neglected.