Hosted Desktop

Broken laptops and lost devices create unneeded risk and costs for your business, with staff waiting weeks for replacements, and company data sits on devices that can go missing.

Apex provides hosted desktop services that move your desktops to the cloud and handle security ongoing so your team works from any device safely.

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Reduce risk and overhead with hosted desktop services

The Problem

When company data lives on laptops, you're one lost device away from a breach. That device contains customer records and credentials now outside your control. Replacements cost £800+ and take weeks, but the real cost is regulatory fines and customer notifications.

The Solution

Apex delivers hosted desktop services that move Windows to the cloud. We migrate your applications and data to Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365, configure secure access from any device, and handle ongoing management. Your team works from anywhere while data stays protected and hardware costs become predictable.

Secure access with multi-factor authentication from any device

Data stays centrally controlled, not on laptops or phones

Fixed monthly costs with no surprise hardware bills

Smooth migration with testing before cutover

Benefits of hosted desktop services for your business

Move desktops to the cloud and gain security, flexibility, and predictable costs without the hardware headaches.

Work from Anywhere Without the Risk

Data stays in the data centre, not on laptops or phones. Staff sign in with multi-factor authentication and access only what they need. If a device goes missing, no company information is lost. Audit logs and centralised control make GDPR and compliance evidence straightforward to provide.

Same Desktop on Every Device

Staff get the exact same Windows desktop whether they're on a laptop, tablet, home PC, or new device. Applications load quickly and performance stays consistent. No more "it works on my machine" problems or time wasted syncing files between devices.

Know Your IT Costs in Advance

Windows 365 charges a fixed amount per user each month, which makes budgeting simple. Azure Virtual Desktop bills based on actual usage, so you only pay when desktops are running. Both options remove surprise hardware costs, emergency laptop replacements, and unpredictable support bills.

Extend the Life of Your Hardware

Old PCs, basic laptops, and tablets run modern desktops because processing happens in the cloud. Devices last longer and cost less to replace. You can also use thin clients that never need updates, which cuts support time and reduces the number of tickets your IT team handles.

Recover Quickly When Things Go Wrong

Backups run automatically and we test restores every month. If someone accidentally deletes files or a desktop fails, we restore access within minutes. You get documented recovery procedures and clear targets for how fast systems come back, which keeps disruption minimal.

What our hosted desktop services include

We build, secure, and manage your cloud desktops. Here's what we handle.

We work out how many desktops you need and which applications staff use daily. Then we build test desktops with your software already installed and let a small group try them before anyone else switches over. You get a clear timeline showing when migration happens and what to expect each week.

Service includes:

Assessment of your users, applications, and current setup
Test desktops built with your software pre-installed
Pilot group testing before full rollout
Migration plan showing who moves when and what happens if issues arise

We configure cloud desktops using Azure Virtual Desktop for flexible pricing or Windows 365 for fixed monthly costs. Either way, staff sign in and see the same Windows desktop with their applications ready to go. We handle security settings, access controls, and automatic updates in the background.

Service includes:

Desktop setup with Azure Virtual Desktop or Windows 365
Your business applications installed and tested
Security configured including multi-factor authentication
Monthly reports showing usage and costs

Your applications are installed on cloud desktops so they open quickly when staff sign in. Printers, scanners, and USB devices are configured to work as normal. Network drives and shared folders appear automatically. Settings and preferences carry across every device staff use.

Service includes:

Business applications installed and configured
Printers and USB devices set up to work from cloud desktops
Network drives and file shares mapped automatically
User profiles that load quickly and save preferences

We set up secure sign-in with multi-factor authentication so only authorized staff access company systems. If someone leaves, we remove their access immediately across all devices and sessions. Every login is recorded for audit purposes, and access is restricted based on job role.

Service includes:

Multi-factor authentication for secure sign-in
Role-based access so staff see only what they need
Immediate access removal when someone leaves
Login records kept for compliance and security audits

Backups run every night automatically. If someone deletes files by mistake or a desktop fails, we restore access within minutes. Recovery procedures are documented and tested monthly so everyone knows what happens when things go wrong. Data is protected against hardware failure and accidental deletion.

Service includes:

Automatic nightly backups with off-site storage
Fast recovery when files are deleted or desktops fail
Monthly testing to confirm backups actually work
Written procedures showing exactly how recovery happens

We watch desktops round the clock and fix issues when alerts appear. Each month you get a report showing what broke, what we fixed, and how much you spent. If usage increases, we add capacity. If it drops, we reduce it so you're not paying for desktops nobody uses.

Service includes:

Round-the-clock monitoring with fast response to problems
Monthly reports in plain English showing costs and usage
Capacity adjusted as your team grows or shrinks

Support when staff have problems or questions

Why choose Apex Computing for hosted desktop services?

Microsoft-certified team, Manchester-based support, and proven migration processes that get desktops moved without disrupting your business.

We Know Microsoft Cloud Desktops Inside Out

Our team holds Microsoft certifications in Azure and Windows 365, which means we know how to build desktops that work properly. We've moved dozens of Manchester and UK businesses to cloud desktops. You get clear migration plans, tested procedures before anyone switches over, and engineers who actually answer the phone when you call.

Choose Your Pricing Model

Windows 365 charges the same amount every month, simple budgeting with no surprises. Azure Virtual Desktop charges only when desktops are running, which saves money if usage varies. We explain both options in clear English, help you pick what fits, and show you monthly reports that actually make sense.

Security and Compliance Built In

Staff sign in with codes sent to their phones, not just passwords. Data stays in our data centre and never touches the devices they're using. Backups happen every night and we test them monthly so recovery actually works. You get the logs and documentation auditors ask for without chasing us.

Based in Manchester, Available When You Need Us

We're in Manchester and support businesses across the UK. You get a named engineer who knows your setup, agreed response times that we actually meet, and real people when you ring. We watch your desktops round the clock, fix problems fast, and call you back when we say we will.

Case Study

How We Migrated MFL Insurance Group to Secure Azure Hosted Desktops

MFL Insurance Group needed secure hosted desktop services to enable remote working while meeting Financial Conduct Authority compliance requirements. We migrated their entire operational environment to Azure Virtual Desktop, moving applications and desktop interfaces to the cloud. The hosted desktop solution provided secure remote access from any device, protected sensitive client data, and enabled their team to work flexibly without compromising security.

Enabled flexible remote working

Migrated to Azure Virtual Desktop

Ensured FCA regulatory compliance

Secured sensitive client data

Trusted by Businesses Across All Sectors

From finance and retail to manufacturing and non-profits, organisations across Manchester and the UK trust Apex for secure, reliable hosted desktop services. See some of our partners below.