How Azure Virtual Desktop Transformed Their Digital Workspace

In early 2021, a well‑established law firm approached us with a clear challenge: their existing remote desktop solution was no longer meeting their needs. Performance limitations, ageing infrastructure, and restrictions around modern collaboration tools—especially Microsoft Teams—were holding them back. They needed a secure, scalable, and cost‑effective desktop platform that would support their growth and enable a better experience for their staff.

This is the story of how we replaced their legacy hosted desktop environment with a fully modernised Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) solution—built for performance, flexibility, and long‑term operational efficiency.

The Challenge: Moving Beyond a Legacy Hosted Desktop

The firm had been operating on an older Remote Desktop Services (RDS) platform hosted in a third‑party cloud environment. While functional, it lacked the performance and flexibility demanded by modern legal practices.

Key pain points included:

• Inability to use Microsoft Teams effectively within the existing RDS platform
• Single‑user Windows 10 restrictions, making desktop sessions difficult to scale
• Rising infrastructure costs due to reliance on server-based operating systems
• Increasing demand for remote work, accelerated by business growth and hybrid working needs

The organisation needed a platform that would:

• Support full Teams video and audio calling
• Scale to accommodate multi‑session Windows 10 desktops
• Reduce infrastructure cost through consumption‑based billing
• Improve performance for fee earners and business support staff
• Integrate seamlessly with Microsoft 365

Azure Virtual Desktop was the natural choice.

The Solution: A Purpose‑Built Azure Virtual Desktop Environment

We designed and deployed a modern, cloud‑based virtual desktop solution centred around Azure Virtual Desktop and Microsoft 365 Business Premium.

Why Azure Virtual Desktop?

AVD provided several key advantages:

• Multi‑session Windows 10: multiple users can share a single VM without performance issues
• Full Teams optimisation: high‑quality calls without disrupting other users
• Cost savings: no need for Windows Server licensing for desktops
• Scalability: virtual machines can be resized or powered down to control costs
• Security: Azure-native controls, Azure Front Door for secure remote access, and FSLogix for managed user profiles

Building the Foundation: Infrastructure Deployment

The implementation was delivered in four clear phases, each designed to build upon the last.

1. Provisioning & Connectivity

We established the core foundation for Azure services:

• Validated domain and DNS configuration
• Created a new Azure subscription
• Deployed a secure VPN gateway
• Connected the firm’s existing environment to Azure

This gave us a secure hybrid environment ready for the new virtual desktop platform.

2. Azure Server Infrastructure

We deployed the critical backend services required to run AVD effectively:

• Two domain controllers (patched, domain‑joined, and promoted)
• An application server for partner software
• An Exchange server (used solely for hybrid connectivity management)
• Azure AD Connect for directory synchronisation

This ensured identity, authentication, and application dependencies were cloud-ready.

3. Exchange Online Migration

Before migrating to AVD, we moved all mailboxes to Exchange Online:

• Ran the Hybrid Configuration Wizard
• Performed staged migration batches
• Remediated any mailbox issues
• Switched MX records when complete

This allowed us to remove the need for a permanently running on‑prem or cloud Exchange server.

4. Azure Virtual Desktop Build

We then built the new AVD environment:

• Created a base Windows 10 image with Office
• Deployed FSLogix profile containers
• Installed partner-specific legal applications
• Added Teams with full AVD optimisation
• Delivered full UAT and remediation
• Completed final go-live

The result was a fast, secure, flexible desktop accessible from anywhere.

The Outcome: A Modern, Efficient, Future‑Ready Workspace

The firm now enjoys a significantly improved digital platform:

Enhanced Performance

Premium SSD storage and optimised multi‑session hosts provide a smooth desktop experience even during busy periods.

Full Teams Support

Teams video and audio calls now run flawlessly—essential for internal collaboration and client meetings.

Reduced Infrastructure Costs

Azure’s consumption model, combined with the ability to power down machines out of hours, provides meaningful monthly savings.

Increased Security

Azure Front Door and VPN-based directory synchronisation ensure secure access without exposing infrastructure to the internet.

Simplified Management

Microsoft 365 handles licensing, identity, and productivity services in a single integrated solution.

A Successful Transformation

This project wasn’t simply a technology refresh—it was a complete modernisation of the firm’s working environment. By moving to Azure Virtual Desktop, the organisation now has a secure, scalable, and high‑performance platform that supports staff productivity and reduces long‑term operational cost.

The move to Exchange Online, combined with Azure‑based infrastructure and AVD, ensures the firm is future‑ready and able to adapt quickly to new demands or expansion.