AutoCAD, a product by Autodesk, is one of the leading CAD tools for 3D modeling and graphics design, with a 30% market share. It is a desktop software that offers versions for both Windows and Mac operating systems. It allows professionals in the AEC and manufacturing industries to design elements and objects in 3D and 2D.
Moreover, you can create realistic images with preferred textures to simulate real-life environments. AutoCAD 2025 introduces powerful features, including activity insights for better project tracking and accelerated font display for smoother performance.
AutoCAD has long been the go-to tool for architects, engineers, and product designers. Yet, as desktop software, its performance is bound by local infrastructure. This dependence often brings limitations—restricted flexibility, poor scalability, and security concerns that slow professionals down.
In this article…
As business needs evolve, teams are looking for more agility and seamless access to their design environments. That’s where Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) comes in. By hosting AutoCAD and its files on virtual desktops, professionals can work from anywhere while enjoying consistent performance, enterprise-grade security, and the scalability to handle complex projects.
Let’s explore how cloud VDI can transform the way businesses use AutoCAD, ensuring higher efficiency and smoother workflows.
Benefits of Running AutoCAD on VDI
1. Improved Collaboration
An AutoCAD file (DWG file) can be large, ranging from several kilobytes to many megabytes. In a traditional desktop setup, files are stored on local systems or servers.
Hence, sharing them with remote stakeholders can be challenging. Moreover, various project professionals, architects, engineers, or project managers require access to the AutoCAD application.
VDI ensures that multiple users can access AutoCAD software regardless of location. All they need to do is open a web browser or remote client application on remote devices, type in the right credentials, and access the application and files. It enables streamlined workflows and enhanced project efficiency.
2. GPU-Accelerated Operations
2D and 3D modeling tasks are resource-intensive and require a high-end local system with GPU support, which needs to be upgraded regularly. AutoCAD recommends having an 8 GB GPU with a bandwidth of 106 GB/s.
The hosted VDI providers offer high-performance virtual desktops powered by leading GPUs like NVIDIA H100 and AMD. This enables you to work on virtual desktops without lag, as if you were working on office workstations.
Experience seamless 2D/3D modeling with enterprise-grade security and anywhere access.
3. Device Independence
AutoCAD supports both Windows and Mac operating systems. VDI enables businesses to choose the OS of their choice for AutoCAD without having to purchase physical desktops.
For example, if you prefer using AutoCAD’s Windows version, you don’t need to purchase Windows workstations for your office. Instead, you can create Windows virtual desktops on any existing device, whether it runs Windows, Mac, Linux, or any other operating system.
4. Unlimited Scalability
As your business grows, you need to upgrade your IT setup to accommodate multiple projects. This requires recurring capital investments and constant IT management.
Furthermore, AutoCAD integrates with a wide range of applications, including Drawing Tree, TotalLength, Drawing Purge, and CADflow. As you integrate more apps, the IT resource also increases significantly.
VDI is a scalable solution to your growing business requirements. The virtual desktops can be upgraded to the required configurations instantly. It enables businesses to integrate any number of applications with AutoCAD and create a comprehensive business solution.
5. Complete Data Protection
Data security is a priority in this vast cyber threat landscape, whether you belong to the AEC, manufacturing, or automotive industry. The AutoCAD files can be injected with malicious executable code (malware, viruses, etc.), leading to loss of intellectual property.
Moreover, security challenges, such as unauthorized access, insider threats, and ransomware, are common when installed on a local workstation or server. Additionally, hardware damage or malfunction can also cause data loss.
In the case of VDI, all your data is stored on remote cloud servers. Therefore, any threat to the local endpoint does not affect data integrity. Furthermore, if you opt for hosted virtual desktop services, providers protect your critical files in a multi-layered security environment.
To ensure total data protection, they deploy diverse security tools and practices, including data encryption, multi-factor authentication, access management, firewalls, vulnerability assessment, antivirus, and antimalware.
6. All-time Availability
Operational downtime due to IT issues is common to all organizations. Hardware malfunctions, software crashes, network connectivity issues, and cyber threats can all cause downtime. However, in an on-premise IT setup, it is challenging to minimize downtime so that it does not drastically affect business operations.
On the contrary, hosted VDI service providers offer guaranteed uptime in their SLA, which legally binds them to offer the agreed-upon value. The best providers in the market offer uptime as high as 99.99%. Your AutoCAD is installed on virtual desktops created on a redundant cloud platform.
Additionally, providers deploy business continuity and disaster recovery (BCDR) to ensure operations, even during a natural disaster.
7. Reduced IT Burden
IT issues can happen at any time. To ensure the AutoCAD tools work seamlessly, you must deploy a dedicated in-house IT team to manage, maintain, and upgrade the workstation.
However, when you choose hosted VDI services, providers take care of routine IT tasks, such as desktop management and provisioning. They also offer 24/7 customer support to quickly resolve any issues engineers and architects may face.
8. No Capital Expenses
Purchasing and upgrading local systems can be costly. Moreover, you also need to store AutoCAD files and other critical data. The requirement of an in-house IT setup can lead to initial investments and recurring costs.
For hosted VDI services, you don’t need to purchase high-end desktops. Consequently, the cost of IT maintenance is also null. Moreover, providers charge you on a usage basis. They offer flexible pricing plans you can choose from as per your business requirements. Hence, the total ROI increases as resource utilization is optimized.
9. Automated Backup Solutions
Data backup is essential in preventing accidental deletions and ransomware attacks. However, with the growing volume, local data backups are neither secure nor economically feasible.
Hosted virtual desktop providers deploy an automated backup solution, which relieves your team from taking and managing manual backups. Moreover, architects and engineers can retrieve old AutoCAD files on remote devices.
How to Select the Right Hosted Virtual Desktop Service Provider
- Create a Plan: Before choosing hosted VDI services, set a clear plan. Analyze the present IT setup for vulnerabilities. Also, list all the tools you want to host with AutoCAD on the virtual desktop.
- Know About Providers: Shortlist the providers based on their reputation in the market. Research online rating platforms such as G2. You can also visit community forums to read customer testimonials. Ask the providers about their downtime history.
- Analyze the SLA: A provider’s Service Level Agreement (SLA) must include all the necessary parameters, such as guaranteed uptime, exit procedures, and support levels. Read the SLA carefully before entering into a partnership.
- Check Pricing Plans: A hosted VDI provider must offer diverse pricing plans so that you can choose the most cost-effective one for your business. Moreover, the provider must be able to customize the plan according to your requirements.
- Ask for Custom Solutions: Various options for hosted VDI services are available in the market. Shortlist the providers that offer customized VDI solutions specifically for AutoCAD. Also, prefer providers that offer industry-specific services.
- Enquire About the VDI Setup: Ask the provider about the IT infrastructure and data center facilities. Prefer the provider that hosts AutoCAD in a Tier-4 or above data center. Moreover, you must ask for data center locations and disaster recovery plans.
- Evaluate the Level of Support: Choose the hosted virtual desktop provider that offers 24/7 human support, even on weekends and public holidays. Moreover, providers should offer support on multiple platforms, such as call, chat, or email.
- Analyze Data Security Measures: Ask the providers about the security measures they use to protect critical AutoCAD data. Check for measures like 256-bit data encryption, Intrusion Detection and Prevention, and Identity and Access Management.
High-performance, secure, and scalable virtual desktops built for architects, engineers, and designers.
Choose VDI for Optimum AutoCAD Performance
AutoCAD empowers architects, engineers, and designers to turn concepts into precise, real-world models. By moving AutoCAD to a hosted VDI environment, you unlock even greater potential—remote access from any device, enterprise-grade data security, seamless scalability, and the ability to handle resource-intensive projects with ease.
With Ace Cloud Hosting’s GPU-powered virtual desktops, you can run AutoCAD and its integrations at peak performance, without being limited by local hardware.
Plus, you get the assurance of 24/7/365 expert support, 99.99% uptime, and a 30-day rolling backup to keep your projects safe and accessible at all times.
Experience the freedom and efficiency of hosted AutoCAD with Ace Cloud Hosting—built for your industry, designed for your success. Start a 7-day trial today!
