BEST DEALS OF THE DAY The best virtual office services are designed to provide flexible and secure solutions for remote work and remote computer access. In short, these desktop-as-a-service (DaaS) platforms let you use in-house or cloud-hosted solutions to provision virtual machines, which can then be accessed from virtually anywhere with an Internet connection.
Citrix XenDesktop is now a part of the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops bundle (Image credit: Citrix) In our Citrix XenDesktop review, we took a closer look at this DaaS vendor. Now, Citrix XenDesktop has recently changed its name and is available as a part of the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop package. We looked at cost, usability, the main features of the platform, and more to help you decide if it's worth using.
There are multiple free deployment options (image credit: Citrix)
- Citrix XenDesktop on Udemy for € 49.99
Packages and prices
Citrix DaaS is available with many different deployment options. At the cheaper end of the spectrum is on-premise deployment, which involves using your data center. The cost of this option is tailored to your needs and you will need to speak with the sales team to find out more. Aside from the self-hosting option, there are 3 managed solutions. Costs change based on the number of users and the length of your contract. The most affordable option starts at €3 per user, per month for a XNUMX-year plan with XNUMX users, €XNUMX per user, per month for a one-year subscription, and €XNUMX per user, per month with monthly payments. Costs go down with more users.
Features
With Citrix, you can give applications and desktops to thousands and thousands of users with just a few mouse clicks. Rigorous user controls and regulatory compliance ensure that each and every employee has access to the right programs and information, and a selection of advanced features are free to add to the user experience. One thing that stands out about Citrix DaaS solutions is their cloud nature. Essentially, this means that you don't have to worry about running and maintaining your server infrastructure. The danger of your IT systems going offline is significantly less when using a cloud-based system. Keep in mind that local deployment is free, but we strongly advise you to opt for cloud deployment, unless you have a specific reason not to.
There is a selection of products that you can add to your Citrix DaaS subscription (Image credit: Citrix) Support Products Another thing we appreciated was the selection of support products that you can add to your Citrix DaaS subscription. These include multiple scanning programs, a secure browser, and more advanced security and performance integrations as well. One of the main drawbacks of some DaaS vendors is their poor security. However, Citrix excels here and lets you set clear access permissions through a selection of highly configurable security options.
The admin interface is simple to navigate and packed with advanced tools (Image credit: Citrix)
Interface and in use
Citrix DaaS is a versatile and highly customizable program. This means that different users are going to have very, very different experiences. In general, though, the user interface is neat, if a bit bland. Team admins should have no problem setting user permissions, and new virtual desktops can be added with minimal fuss. On the user side, multiple desktops can be accessed if required, and all that is required for this is an internet browser and an internet connection. To get started, you'll need to contact the Citrix team to schedule a demo. They'll walk you through the details of the platform, answer your questions, and work with you to develop an implementation plan for your organization. The installation and deployment process is quite complex, so expect it to take some time.
There is a huge resource library full of advanced resources (Image credit: Citrix)
Support
Citrix offers a number of support options, including full technical support for existing users. Live chat is not free, but you can send a ticket online or contact a local support team by phone to receive an adapted service. There's also a huge selection of self-help resources, including video tutorials, webinars, white papers, and full white papers.
There are many documents outlining security best practices (Image credit: Citrix)
Security
Citrix offers advanced and powerful DaaS and other technical solutions, and its security measures are some of the best we've seen. It's impossible to list them all here, but the bottom line is to understand that you're going to be covered by industry-leading security integrations, ensuring that sensitive data and other information is protected at all times. There is a selection of resources that describe security measures and best practices in more detail.
Competition
Citrix DaaS offers advanced virtual desktop solutions, but it's not a great option for small-scale users. Windows Virtual Desktop presents a much more viable option for small businesses because it doesn't include minimum user or machine limits. Like Citrix, it is built on the advanced infrastructure of Microsoft Azure, although the lack of Linux options will affect some users. Nutanix XI Frame is another great option, especially for those looking for a simple solution that is out of the box and easy to incorporate. Native apps are conspicuously absent, but the speed, accessibility, and ease of use on offer here make Nutanix one of the most popular virtual desktop services on the market today.
Final verdict
Ultimately, Citrix offers advanced DaaS solutions through the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops (previously Citrix XenDesktop) platform. The implementation is flexible, although it will take some time. The security integrations and configurable tools are great, and provisioning new virtual desktops is a fast and streamlined process. If you're looking for a leading DaaS solution for your large organization, Citrix might be the right choice. But if you're looking for a useful alternative to a smaller-scale job, you'll need to look elsewhere. THE BEST DEALS OF THE DAY