For years, cloud-based labs have been the cool kid on the block in virtual IT training. They’re flexible and scalable and let students access training environments from anywhere. But here’s the thing—not every training program actually needs the cloud. In some cases, it can’t be used at all due to system requirements that cloud-based labs don’t support.
Suppose your organization already has classroom computers, high-performance workstations, or server racks sitting around gathering dust. Why pay for third-party virtual machines when you can turn those machines into secure, on-premise training labs?
This is exactly what In-House Labs does. It transforms your own computers into remote-accessible training environments so students can securely log in with just a browser. Instructors still get full oversight and control, just like with cloud-based solutions—except everything stays inside your network.
This isn’t about cloud vs. on-premise. It’s about having the right option for your needs. Some organizations need absolute control over training environments, software, and security. Others have specialized hardware like GPU-heavy workstations, ESXi servers, or USB-connected devices that cloud providers simply cannot replicate.
In-House Labs is built for these situations. Students log in using just a browser, and instructors can monitor progress, assist in real time, and even take control if needed—all without opening a single port to the internet.
Now, let’s talk about why ReadyTech created In-House Labs, who it’s for, and why it might be the best training solution you didn’t even know you needed.
Why ReadyTech Created In-House Labs
At ReadyTech, we’ve been providing Virtual IT Labs for years, and we’ve noticed something: cloud-based training works great—until it doesn’t.
Some of our customers need a secure, controlled environment to train employees without handing over their data to a third-party cloud provider. Others have custom hardware setups that simply can’t exist in the cloud. So we built In-House Labs to fill this gap.
Here are a few reasons why we built it:
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Security First
Many industries—finance, government, and healthcare—have strict data security policies that prohibit training environments from being hosted externally. Fun fact: 60% of companies say security concerns are a primary reason they keep workloads on-premise (Flexera 2023 State of the Cloud Report). In-House Labs keeps everything inside your company firewall, ensuring full compliance. -
Leverage What You Already Own
Organizations waste 32% of their cloud budget on underutilized resources (Flexera 2023). Why not use your existing infrastructure instead of burning cash on underused cloud machines? In-House Labs lets you do exactly that. -
Training That Needs Physical Access
Cloud labs can’t provide access to physical hardware like GPU-powered machines, security appliances, or software tied to USB license dongles. In-House Labs makes sure students can train on the exact equipment they’ll use on the job. -
Cost Control & IT Independence
Some companies prefer to own and control their IT training environment rather than rent it from cloud providers. In-House Labs keeps you in charge of your resources, your training, and your costs.
Who Uses In-House Labs?
This isn’t just for one industry. In-House Labs helps a range of organizations where data security, hardware accessibility, and cost savings are priorities.
Banks & Government Agencies
A cybersecurity team at a government agency is training employees on simulated cyberattack scenarios. The catch? These environments must stay inside a secured network and cannot be hosted on external cloud providers.
Solution: In-House Labs ensures training happens entirely within the agency’s internal firewall—no cloud exposure is required.
IT Training Providers
For hands-on training, a networking certification provider needs students to connect to real routers, switches, and firewall hardware. Cloud environments don’t cut it for this type of physical equipment.
Solution: In-House Labs enables direct access to actual networking gear, solving the problem cloud providers can’t.
Universities & Technical Schools
A university wants to teach students ESXi virtualization and Hyper-V setup using bare-metal servers, but renting cloud VMs is expensive.
Solution: They use In-House Labs to turn classroom servers into virtual lab environments, eliminating cloud rental fees.
Engineering & CAD Training
A mechanical engineering student needs a high-end GPU for CAD and 3D rendering. Cloud-based GPU VMs can be costly, and you already have a classroom full of computers that meet your requirements—so why not use them?
Solution: In-House Labs lets students remotely access high-performance classroom-based workstations with just a browser, and the connection is secured.
How In-House Labs Works
Setting up In-House Labs is easier than you think. Here’s how it works:
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System Registration – Classroom computers, servers, or workstations are registered in ReadyTech Axis for centralized management.
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SystemAgent Installation – A lightweight agent securely reports each machine back to Axis.
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Event Scheduling – Training events are scheduled, and students are assigned to available machines.
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Remote Access – Students log in through a browser; no VPNs or external IPs are required.
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Monitoring and Control – Instructors are provided with an overview of each student lab and can take control whenever needed.
The Benefits of In-House Labs (With Real-World Impact)
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Cost Savings – Use the equipment you already have, and be sure that the connection to it will be secure and only require a browser for access.
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Security & Compliance – Keep training environments inside your internal network, ensuring compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, or SOC 2 security standards.
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Support for Specialized Hardware – GPU workstations, physical servers, networking gear, and USB-reliant applications. If the cloud can’t support it, In-House Labs can.
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Instructor Control – Monitor, assist, and manage student training environments in real time, ensuring full instructor oversight.
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Hybrid Learning Support – Deliver training to both in-person and remote students without the need for duplicate hardware setups.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About In-House Labs
1. What organizations benefit the most from In-House Labs?
Organizations that need high security, specialized hardware, cost-effective IT training, or have computer equipment they want to use for online training delivery.
2. How does In-House Labs improve data security?
Unlike cloud-based labs, no data leaves your network. Training environments stay within your firewall, ensuring compliance with security policies.
3. Can students access In-House Labs remotely?
Yes! Students connect via a web browser without needing VPNs, RDP, or public IPs.
4. How does In-House Labs reduce training costs?
Organizations waste 32% of their cloud budget on unused resources they already own (Flexera 2023). In-House Labs eliminates that waste by using existing hardware.
5. How is In-House Labs different from Virtual IT Labs?
Virtual IT Labs use cloud-hosted environments, while In-House Labs turn your existing on-premise resources into remote training labs.
Final Thoughts: Is In-House Labs Right for You?
Why pay extra for cloud training labs if your organization already owns classroom computers, workstations, or servers? In-House Labs maximizes existing resources, keeps training secure, and eliminates unnecessary cloud costs.
Want to see how it works? Request a Demo.
