One of the greatest things about cloud-based virtualization is that updates are rolled out by providers and don’t require end users to do anything. In the latest example of this, Microsoft just drastically increased the speed of its virtual machines for almost everyone using its platform.

You may have seen headlines highlighting the dangers of two recently discovered hardware flaws: Spectre and Meltdown. They create incredibly technical problems for just about anyone who owns a computer, even those with virtual machines in the cloud. Thankfully, most vendors have already fixed the issue.

If you’re deterred by heavy-duty full machine Virtualization, then the open-source container platform developed by Docker is something you might want to keep a lookout for, as it promises to change the future of IT. Learn more about how containers can help your business boom.

Not too long ago, the cloud was the money-saving IT trend for consumers and business owners. Now, that title goes to virtualization technology. It’s new, it’s complicated, but it’s not something you can ignore. Here are a few ways you can use virtualization to improve efficiency and productivity in your office.

Server virtualization allows you to deliver computing resources to workstations in your network. Those resources are packed into virtual machines (VMs), which can be deployed at a moment’s notice so you can easily add users to your network. However, there are risks associated with trying to manage lots of VMs.

The dangers of VM sprawl
VM sprawl is a phenomenon that occurs when there are too many virtual machines on a network.

The next big thing in cloud computing is capturing small-business owners’ attention, and it’s easy to see why. Even after migrating to the cloud, businesses are still forced to deal with configuring and maintaining servers; it’s just done over the internet.

With cybersecurity threats targeting small and large businesses, solutions that protect mobile devices are no longer a niche service. More work is being handled away from the office, which means more opportunities for security breaches. Virtualization vendors are leading the charge to tackle these challenges with innovative solutions.

Until recently, business owners had to choose between cloud-based virtualization and on-premises virtualization. Although implementing either option from scratch was affordable, moving an existing on-premises setup into the cloud was expensive. Thankfully, two of the biggest virtualization vendors are working together to make this problem a thing of the past.

Preparing your business for every type of disaster is critical. Even if you weren’t affected by this year’s historic hurricane season, earthquakes, fires and power outages are ever-present threats to any business’s future. Virtualization might just be your ticket to surviving the next disaster.

If you own an Apple computer, you might think it’s impossible to install Windows-based software on it. But with operating system (OS) virtualization, you can run any application you want and enjoy exciting new cross-platform features.
Configure an entire machine with a few clicks
With programs like VMware and Parallels, installing Microsoft’s OS on your Mac is almost as easy as creating a new document in Office.