The VDI Showdown

The VDI landscape is evolving faster than ever.

Between cost pressures, user experience demands, and increasing complexity around device management and network security, IT leaders are under pressure to modernise while keeping operations lean and secure. The VDI Showdown brings together top technologists and strategists to explore the current state of play and the best-fit solutions for the modern workplace.

This morning event will help IT decision-makers unpack the choices around AVD, AVD + Nerdio, AVD + Citrix, and broader modern desktop strategies.

Session 1: Setting the Stage
Mario Cirillo, Chief Technology Officer

Kick off the showdown by zooming out. What’s the current VDI landscape? Why are so many organisations questioning their existing stack? Mario will outline the key pressures driving desktop transformation – licensing costs, security risks, the post-pandemic device sprawl, and the expectation for seamless hybrid work. He’ll also touch on emerging trends like cloud-native desktops, the role of identity, and increasing demands around endpoint agility.

Session 2: The Showdown
Liam Kilby, Solution Architect

In this head-to-head comparison, Liam breaks down the three most common deployment models for Azure Virtual Desktop:

• AVD only – Microsoft-native, lean and cost-effective.
• AVD with Citrix – Enterprise experience with added management and delivery benefits.
• AVD with Nerdio – Simplified deployment and operational efficiency for IT teams.

Using a scorecard approach, Liam compares each option across factors like cost, user experience, scalability, security, licensing, and IT overhead. Expect real-world examples, customer comparisons, and straight-talking guidance. Leave with a clearer picture of which AVD model best fits your environment and user needs.

Session 3: Modern Endpoint Management with Intune and AVD
Jhonny Marques, Solution Architect

In this session, Jhonny Marques redefines endpoint management with Microsoft Intune as a flexible, cloud-first solution for managing laptops, tablets and BYOD. He will show how tools like Autopilot, Defender, OneDrive and Conditional Access support a user-focused, secure experience. Azure Virtual Desktop complements this by delivering virtual desktops for contractors, guest users and legacy apps. Jhonny will also tackle challenges such as app packaging and compliance, offering practical advice for simplifying hybrid IT environments.

Session 4: Networking & Security – The Overlooked Piece
Richard Norman, Chief Technology Officer

In this final session, Richard ties it all together by focusing on secure access. With distributed workforces and cloud-based desktops, the perimeter has shifted. He’ll explain how a robust SASE and SD-WAN approach ensures fast, secure, and policy-driven access, whether users are on VDI, a local machine, or somewhere in between.

Expect insights into:

• Reducing latency in VDI environments
• Enforcing security without slowing down users
• Aligning access control with desktop strategy