Why SMBs Are Choosing AWS WorkSpaces

Mar 24, 2025 | Articles

Hybrid and remote work are here to stay, small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) need a secure, cost-effective way to give employees access to their desktops without the burden of managing hardware or complex infrastructure. That’s where AWS WorkSpaces comes in.

AWS WorkSpaces is a fully managed Desktop-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution that delivers cloud-based desktops to users anywhere, on any device. Whether you’re supporting a growing remote team or replacing aging hardware, WorkSpaces gives your business the flexibility and security it needs to scale fast without breaking your IT budget.

What Is AWS WorkSpaces?

AWS WorkSpaces lets you provision Windows or Linux desktops in just a few clicks. These virtual desktops run in the cloud and are accessible from laptops, tablets, mobile devices, or web browsers. You only pay for what you use, and there’s no need to invest in physical infrastructure or high-cost endpoint devices.

Why SMBs Love AWS WorkSpaces

1. Simplified IT Management

No more imaging machines, dealing with failed hardware, or running patch updates across dozens of endpoints. With AWS WorkSpaces, you can manage all your users from a single console and spin up or decommission desktops in minutes. That’s a huge win for lean IT teams.

2. Secure by Design

Your data stays in AWS—not on local devices. WorkSpaces integrates with AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and encryption, ensuring enterprise-grade security for even the smallest businesses.

3. Cost Optimization for SMBs

With pay-as-you-go pricing, you only pay for active users. You can also choose hourly or monthly billing, depending on how your team works. It’s a smart way to control costs while scaling up or down as needed.

4. Remote Work-Ready

Whether your team is fully remote, hybrid, or spread across time zones, AWS WorkSpaces ensures everyone gets a consistent, fast desktop experience—with no VPN required.

5. Easier Onboarding and Offboarding

Adding new employees? Provision a WorkSpace with all the apps and permissions they need in just a few clicks. Offboarding? Shut down access instantly—no need to worry about recovering laptops or sensitive files.

Real-World SMB Use Cases

  • Startups scaling fast and need to onboard developers or sales teams quickly
  • Healthcare clinics with remote administrative staff needing secure patient data access
  • Accounting firms working with seasonal contractors during tax season
  • Manufacturing companies giving plant managers access to business systems from the floor or home

How to Get Started with AWS WorkSpaces

  1. Choose your OS and bundle (pre-configured with apps or build your own)
  2. Configure your directory and access controls
  3. Assign desktops to users—and you’re live!

You can also use AWS WorkSpaces Core for more control over your desktop image and management tools, or integrate with Amazon WorkSpaces Web for browser-based access.

Work With an AWS Partner

Need help navigating setup or optimizing costs? Working with an AWS Partner like Aligned Technology Group makes it easier to launch and scale WorkSpaces across your team—with security and compliance built in from the start.

Ready to modernize your desktops?
Let’s talk about how AWS WorkSpaces can support your remote or hybrid workforce without the hassle of legacy IT.

AWS provides powerful security tools, but proactive configuration and continuous monitoring are key to keeping cloud environments secure. Use this cheat sheet as a quick reference to strengthen your AWS security strategy.

Last Updated on March 24, 2025 by Lauryn Colatuno

Cost Optimization

Issue: Small AWS deployment with little management oversight and a lack of cloud skills internal to the organization moving from traditional infrastructure to SaaS and cloud based solutions.

 

What we did

  1. AWS Audit
  2. Cost Optimization Review
  3. Ongoing Monitoring

 

Result:

  • Eliminated unused storage volumes and the old application server no longer in use, the charges for AWS resulted in a savings of 51% per month.
  • We’ll continue to monitor AWS billing and finance to ensure maintenance of savings and identify other future changes.

Cost Optimization

Issue: Small AWS deployment with little management oversight and a lack of cloud skills internal to the organization moving from traditional infrastructure to SaaS and cloud based solutions.

 

What we did

  1. AWS Audit
  2. Cost Optimization Review
  3. Ongoing Monitoring

 

Result:

  • Eliminated unused storage volumes and the old application server no longer in use, the charges for AWS resulted in a savings of 51% per month.
  • We’ll continue to monitor AWS billing and finance to ensure maintenance of savings and identify other future changes.