Cloud Computing - The difference between Hosted Servers and Hosted Desktops

By Your Office Anywhere

06 Apr 2016

Our price for Hosted Desktops is probably the best in the UK, so I was very surprised when a potential customer asked if we could come up with a better price for a Hosted Desktop, as he had been quoted what appeared to be a substantially cheaper rate.

As we always try and beat any like for like quotation I asked the customer to give me some more details of the competing offer.

It turns out the offer was for a hosted server rather than a full Hosted Desktop solution but it highlighted that for businesses looking to host their applications in the cloud it may not be obvious what the differences are, so this article sets out to help rectify that.

A hosted server is just that, a virtual or physical server hosted in someone else’s data centre, it could be running Windows, Linux or another operating system. Hosted servers are designed for IT professionals to replace some or all of the physical on premise servers with something hosted “in the cloud”.

With a Hosted Desktop you still get a hosted server but on top you get everything else you need to logon and run your applications anywhere in the world over the Internet, and on any device. It’s a complete, managed service, solution not just a component, and critically you don’t need an IT professional to start using it. In fact you don’t need any IT skills whatsoever.

The difference between Hosted Desktops and Hosted Servers is a bit like the difference between a train and a car. If you don’t know how to drive a car you aren’t going to get to your destination, with a train you don’t need to know how to drive it, you just use it. If you are looking to have your business applications running in the cloud, maybe to save money, reduce risk or increase mobility these are all the things a Hosted Desktop solution will give you above and beyond what you may get with most hosted server offerings: Windows Active Directory to provide secure logon to the server and any other management of resources you require such as restricting access to files or folders. You want multiple domain controllers for resilience. Remote Desktop Services correctly configured on the server to enable multiple users to run their client applications. This includes the licencing server. Remote Desktop Gateways to allow connection to the hosted server over the internet using https (secure web access) avoiding the need for complicated VPN solutions. We have about a dozen gateway servers for load balancing. This also enables you to run the applications from a web browser or as a remote application (also known as WebApps and RemoteApps). Certificates to ensure communication to your server is secure and encrypted Backups of not only the server but also your database and any other files/documents on the server. Our backups are offsite for resilience and kept for a minimum of 20 days. Managed anti-virus on your server. Managed Windows updates on your server. Installation of your applications, databases and documents to make sure everything is working properly for you. All the relevant Microsoft licences included and declared to Microsoft on your behalf. This would include Windows CALS and Remote Desktop Services. (Terminal Services) CALS, and optionally licences for applications such as Microsoft Office, Project or Visio. Hosted servers are about moving part or all of your IT infrastructure to the cloud, but they still need to be configured, maintained and managed by somebody. Hosted Desktops are about forgetting about IT altogether and just running your business wherever and whenever you need to.

Enjoyed this? Read more from Your Office Anywhere

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin