Halfway between the traditional physical computer and the machine hosted on a remote server, the virtual machine provides a complete working environment accessible at any time and from anywhere.

1. What is a virtual machine?

A virtual machine is a workstation hosted on a cloud infrastructure rather than on physical hardware at home. In concrete terms, your operating system (Windows, Linux, etc.) and all your applications (office automation, business software, collaborative tools...) are installed on a remote server. You can access it via a simple Internet connection, with the same level of performance as a conventional machine.

Unlike a physical machine:

• You are not dependent on a single piece of equipment (PC or laptop) that could break down or be stolen.
• You benefit from increased scalability: the virtual machine can be resized (RAM, CPU, storage) according to your needs.
• You limit hardware maintenance, which is provided by the solution provider.

The benefits for companies

Mobility and flexibility

With a locally hosted virtual machine, you can connect from any device (PC, tablet, smartphone) and benefit from reduced latency. This solution facilitates telework, business travel and collaboration between multiple teams across different sites.

Cost optimization

No longer dependent on a physical machine park, considerably reduces investments (purchase of PCs, renewal of equipment). Updates, supervision and interventions are shared in the datacenter, which reduces maintenance and troubleshooting costs.

Enhanced security

By choosing a secure virtual machine, your data is centralized in a protected environment. Serious suppliers shall implement:

• Advanced firewalls and stream encryption.
• Secure connection protocols (VPN, encrypted tunnel).
• Access controls to limit the risk of data leaks and intrusions.

Business continuity improvement

A virtual server often benefits from a high availability infrastructure: redundant power supply, precision air conditioners, multiple network connections. This significantly reduces the risk of service interruption, allowing your business to remain productive 24/7.

3. How do I choose a quality virtual machine?

To select a quality virtual machine, it is essential to consider several criteria:

1. Performance and resources allocated
   Check the configuration (RAM, CPU, storage) and the possibility to quickly upgrade if your business requires it. Providers with scalable computing power will facilitate your future expansion needs.
2. Location of the datacenter
   A France virtual machine has the advantage of complying with regulations (such as GDPR) and reducing latency for your teams located in France or French-speaking Europe.
3. Safety level
   Ensure your provider commits to concrete measures: data encryption, strong authentication, redundancy mechanisms.
4. Technical support and guidance
   Check the quality of support (hotline, help desk, availability) and possible support for the migration of your data and the configuration of your virtual desktops.

Best practices for a secure virtual machine

1. Multi-factor authentication (MFA)
   Implement a second level of verification (SMS, mobile application, encrypted USB key) to minimize the risk of hacking.
2. Regular data backup
   Schedule automatic backups across multiple sites (local and remote) to prevent data loss or corruption.
3. Updates and patches
   Keep your operating system and applications up to date to quickly fix any security vulnerabilities you discover.
4. User rights governance
   Separate roles and privileges (administrator, users, trainees, etc.) to limit access to sensitive information.

Towards an efficient deployment of your virtual machines

To take full advantage of your desktop virtualization, it is highly recommended that you:

• Perform an audit of your existing infrastructure and business applications.
• Clearly define your needs (number of users, bandwidth required, collaborative tools, etc.).
• Design a phased migration strategy to minimize impact on production.
• Train your employees in new practices (virtual machine connection, remote access, etc.).

Discover UNIVIRTUAL solutions for your virtual machines

You want to take the leap and set up a secure and quality virtual computer? UNIVIRTUAL’s offering is based on a highly available infrastructure, located in a datacenter in France to reduce latency and ensure regulatory compliance. We propose:

• Flexible configurations, adapted to the needs of each company.
• Advanced tools to secure your working environments (VPN, strong authentication, backups).
• A complete support, from the audit to the training of your teams.

With UNIVIRTUAL, you can enjoy a virtual workstation that is both powerful and scalable, while meeting the most demanding security standards. Feel free to contact us for more information or request a free demo of our virtual machine solution.

Conclusion

The virtual machine is now a major lever to gain agility, security and flexibility. By choosing a secure virtual machine, hosted in a quality datacenter, you protect your data and boost the productivity of your employees, wherever they are. If you are considering modernizing your IT infrastructure, the adoption of a virtual machine France could be the cornerstone of your digital strategy, while respecting legal and sovereignty obligations.

Want to know more?

Visit our virtual machine page to learn how UNIVIRTUAL can transform your workstations to support your growth and secure your data.