3225: Inside Microsoft’s Vision for Cloud PCs and Hybrid Work

Mar 30, 2025

Scott Manchester, Microsoft's Vice President of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop, shares his insights on cloud innovation. He discusses the collaboration between Microsoft and IGEL to tackle endpoint management challenges, enhancing security and performance during the shift to Windows 11. Scott highlights the transformative power of Windows 365 Cloud PCs and the growing adoption in sectors like healthcare and finance. With a focus on zero trust architecture, he emphasizes that seamless user experiences are crucial for hybrid work success.

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ANECDOTE

iGel and Healthcare

iGel, Microsoft's first Linux partner, collaborated on the Linux SDK.
This partnership enabled a combined healthcare solution with Privada and Epic, exemplified by Baptist Medical Center.

INSIGHT

Navigating Cloud Workspaces

Businesses face challenges in navigating cloud workspace options and understanding their value.
The key is finding the right technology that meets their specific needs amidst the vast landscape of AI and cloud solutions.

INSIGHT

Reimagining Virtualization

Windows 365 reimagines virtualization by prioritizing end-user experience and streamlining admin processes.
It uses Intune for management, offering a personal computing feel within a secure virtual environment.

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What happens when Microsoft joins forces with IGEL to reimagine the future of endpoint computing? In today’s episode, recorded live at IGEL’s Now & Next 2025 in Miami, I sit down with Scott Manchester, Vice President of Windows 365 and Azure Virtual Desktop at Microsoft.

With decades of experience at the helm of virtualization and cloud innovation, Scott brings a grounded yet forward-looking view of how Microsoft is enabling businesses to adapt to the evolving demands of work.

Our conversation explores how Microsoft and IGEL are working together to address real enterprise challenges—from simplifying endpoint management to ensuring high-performance, secure digital workspaces.

We look at how Windows 365 Cloud PC and Azure Virtual Desktop are helping businesses embrace the cloud while navigating the transition to Windows 11. And we discuss the real-world implications of this shift, from extending the lifecycle of devices to increasing flexibility for IT teams and remote users alike.

Scott also opens up about the industries that are leading in cloud workspace adoption—from healthcare systems like Baptist Medical Center to federal agencies and financial services—and how Microsoft is shaping its offerings to meet the distinct needs of these sectors.

We unpack the unique advantages of IGEL’s Linux-based OS, the growing role of zero trust architecture, and why seamless user experiences are no longer optional in the hybrid era.

With new licensing models like Windows 365 Frontline Shared and deeper integration between Microsoft and IGEL, it’s clear this partnership is more than technical alignment—it’s a shared strategy aimed at delivering resilient, secure, and scalable digital environments.

Whether you’re planning your Windows 11 migration or just exploring cloud PCs as part of your future roadmap, this episode is packed with strategic insights from a tech leader who knows how to deliver results. What role will the cloud desktop play in your 2025 strategy?