Inefficient tools slow down business growth.
At Mechdyne, we’ve partnered with clients across a wide range of industries and have seen firsthand how unique technology needs among end users can directly impact business continuity and growth.
One key insight we’ve gained is that a one-size-fits-all approach to technology simply doesn’t work. Different work demands different tools. When those needs aren’t met, productivity suffers.
Here are a few facts:
- Equipping employees with the right tools boosts productivity, engagement, and retention.
- Inefficient or outdated technology can lead to operational delays, increased downtime, and higher costs.
- Organizations that tailor technology to user roles see up to 25% improvement in employee performance.
In this article, we will take a closer look at one specific example: how the requirements of high-performance graphic users differ from those of standard desktop users. Understanding the differences of a power user vs standard user is essential to equipping every user with the right tools to succeed.
So how are high performance users different from standard desktop users?
Standard Desktop Users
Standard desktop users typically include but are not limited to administrative staff, customer service reps, HR personnel, finance teams, and other roles that rely on general-purpose applications.
Typical tasks and needs include:
- Email and calendar management
- Word processing and spreadsheets
- Web browsing and research
- Data entry and database access
- Video conferencing and collaboration tools
Standard desktop users also have technology needs that are critical such as reliable internet and network access, basic processing power, moderate RAM (32 GB), standard display and graphics capabilities, and office productivity software (e.g., Microsoft 365, Google Workspace).
Additionally, an inefficient or poor technology infrastructure can cause issues such as slow boot times and lagging applications, incompatibility with newer software, security vulnerabilities from outdated systems, etc.
High Performance Users
For high performance users specifically, their IT infrastructure is a bit more complex and critical to their productivity.
These users often include engineers, scientists, researchers, graphic designers, architects, video editors, who rely on resource-intensive applications like CAD, 3D modeling, video rendering, and simulation software.
Technology needs include:
- High-performance computing
- GPU intensive applications
- Large amounts of RAM (32 GB or more)
- High-resolution remote desktop with color-accurate displays
- Fast storage
- Secure & encrypted connections
- Low-latency, high-bandwidth network connections
- Specialized software and drivers
Why Standard Desktops Don’t Work for Power Users
The article, “Choosing a High-Performance Remote Desktop Simplified with TGX,” emphasizes that “users across an organization can have different requirements.” This reinforces a key takeaway: technology must be tailored to the specific demands of each role, whether it’s a standard user, a high-performance user, a data-driven analyst, or a remote employee.
High-performance desktop tools like TGX remote desktop illustrate how specialized solutions can support high-performance users by delivering like-local, low-latency access to graphics-intensive applications which are imperative for users’ processes.
A recent video by the Rice Ken Kennedy Institute, specializing in geophysical workflows in subsurface exploration, emphasized that optimizing the delivery of high-performance workstations was critical to their operations. They chose TGX after moving away from their previous software, seeking a more powerful visualization tool and multi-monitor remote desktop solution that delivered smoother performance.
The primary reason for choosing TGX was its tight integration with the Leostream connection broker, particularly its pass-through authentication feature. This integration enabled secure, streamlined user access and allowed the team to fully leverage the cost efficiencies of cloud infrastructure without compromising performance or user experience.
By adopting TGX in combination with Leostream, the team not only met their technical and security requirements but also significantly streamlined their workflow, eliminating previous infrastructure limitations and enhancing productivity across their remote operations.
When power users can work seamlessly without compromising performance, it highlights the importance of aligning IT infrastructure with specific workflow needs.
IT services also play a vital role in this. With the growing variety of software, tools, and user expectations, having a dedicated team to manage and support your technology enables end users to stay productive with little to no downtime. Whether it’s onboarding new tools, maintaining infrastructure, or resolving day-to-day issues, IT services help bridge the gap between user needs and operational success. This is also just as important as having the right technological infrastructure for specific end users.
Overall, in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, equipping employees with the right technology is no longer optional—it’s a strategic imperative. Businesses that recognize and invest in tailored IT solutions, like high-performance remote desktops, specialized hardware, and dedicated IT support, are better positioned to drive growth, enhance employee satisfaction, and maintain a competitive edge.
The key takeaway is clear: one size does not fit all. By aligning technology with user-specific demands, businesses can unlock the full potential of their workforce.