Parallels RAS - A Compelling Citrix Replacement

Many organisations rely on Remote Desktop technology solutions to deliver virtual desktops and published applications to their staff. Often for remote workers, but not exclusively as remote desktops provide benefits for data security and standardisation. Citrix has been a dominant player in this sector for a long time and is often the go-to solution when IT decision-makers consider remote working tools.

However, Citrix has downsides and can be expensive. Other options, such as Parallels RAS, are emerging as compelling alternatives to Citrix by offering robust features, simplified management, and a more cost-effective solution.

Live Webinar: Step away from Citrix: Reduce costs and simplify your virtual app and desktop delivery

On the 10th of September 2024, at 11:30 am, Parallels and Renaissance will host a free online webinar titled Step away from Citrix: Reduce costs and simplify your virtual app and desktop delivery. The theme for the webinar will be addressing the question: Tired of too much complexity in your infrastructure?

As IT environments continue to evolve, many organisations face challenges with their current virtualisation solutions. Renaissance understands from many customer conversations that organisations are currently experiencing frustrations with Citrix’s complex licensing models and high annual costs. Many think that it’s time to look for an alternative.

In the webinar, Chris Marks (Product Manager in Parallels) and Norman Newell (Sales Director in Renaissance) will delve into the key benefits of Parallels RAS, such as simplified management, cost savings, enhanced user experience, and robust security features. During the session, you’ll gain insights into real-world use cases from companies that have successfully transitioned from Citrix to Parallels RAS.

Whether you’re an IT professional looking to optimise your infrastructure or a business leader seeking to improve operational efficiency, this webinar will provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to make an informed decision:

??Understand the limitations and frustrations of traditional virtual app and desktop solutions.

??Learn how Parallels RAS simplifies deployment and management.

??Discover the cost benefits of switching to Parallels RAS.

??Hear success stories from organisations that have made the switch.

??Get answers to your specific questions in our live Q&A session.

You can learn more and sign up for the webinar at? https://renaissance.renaissance.ie/c/426384.

Issues with Citrix Solutions

Let’s take a look at some of the issues that people frequently report about Citrix solutions.

Complexity - Deploying Citrix effectively often requires setting up and integrating various separate software components. This is a specialised task, and if not done right, the resulting solution will be hard to use and won’t deliver the remote application experience people expect and deserve.?

Costs - The complex deployment requirements lead to inflated costs due to the need for specialised teams and costly staff training. The unwieldy and expensive Citrix licensing models exacerbate these costs via additional fees for add-on modules that should be standard components.?

Restricted Flexibility - Many organisations now use a hybrid deployment strategy for their new and existing services and application deployments. To fit into this strategy, solutions should be flexible and support cloud, multi-cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployment. Recent changes to the Citrix Universal Licensing added support for deploying licenses across cloud and on-premise infrastructure, but it requires at least 250 user licenses to be purchased.

The Features of Parallels RAS

So, why should you consider Parallels RAS instead of Citrix? Here are some of the headline reasons that address the issues often encountered with Citrix.

Simplified Management - Parallels RAS comes with an intuitive management console and uses a wizard-based setup system. This significantly reduces the administrative overhead of deployment and ongoing management. It also reduces the need for costly training.

Reduced Costs - With a simple single-license model, Parallels RAS offers predictable costs and eliminates the need to pay for additional add-ons. Its easier deployment and management overhead also reduce TCO.

Flexible Deployment - Unlike Citrix, Parallels RAS supports on-premises, cloud, and hybrid deployments across deployments of all sizes. You don’t need to buy 250 licenses to use the hybrid infrastructure model with your 100 users!?

In addition to the three points above that follow directly from the three issues mentioned in the previous section, Parallels RAS also delivers these headline benefits:

Enhanced User Experience - Parallels RAS provides a native-like experience across various device types, including Windows, iOS, and Android, and supports features like universal printing, AI-driven session prelaunch, and accelerated file redirection, enhancing productivity and user satisfaction. All as part of the core product offering.

Robust Cybersecurity - RAS uses standard security protocols and best practices, including having native support for TLS 1.3 for end-to-end encryption over the network and multi-factor authentication (MFA) to deliver strong protection against unauthorised logins.

Choosing the Best Solution for Your Organisation

Every organisation is different, and when it comes to choosing a solution to address needs in any part of their business operations, they need to focus on their specific requirements and select something that addresses them in the most cost-effective way that is straightforward to use.

In the case of a remote desktop and application delivery solution, it’s crucial to focus on your organisation’s specific needs rather than defaulting to a traditional choice such as Citrix. Parallels RAS not only matches the capabilities of Citrix but surpasses it in several areas, including:

Hybrid Deployment Support - Parallels RAS excels in supporting hybrid and multi-cloud environments for organisations ranging from a few tens of users all the way up to Enterprise deployments.

Azure Integration - Many organisations that have their technology stack built on Microsoft solutions are increasingly using Azure Cloud services. Parallels RAS integrates and enhances Azure Virtual Desktop deployments by communicating directly with the Azure Virtual Desktop control plane, ensuring smooth operations without the limitations imposed by proprietary solutions like Citrix.

For more detailed comparisons between RAS and Citrix and to explore how Parallels RAS can meet your specific needs, visit the Parallels Citrix Alternative page. You can also find out more about Parallels RAS in general on the product landing page.

Final Thoughts

Renaissance partners with Parallels to bring their cutting-edge solutions to VARs and MSPs across Ireland. If you are working with an organisation that needs a state-of-the-art remote working solution, then Parallels RAS is worth considering.?Contact us today to learn more and arrange a chat with an expert.