Cloud Computing and App Delivery
Last updated on December 16, 2022
The opportunities of the cloud computing and mobile revolution are pushing IT managers to reconsider the way they provide line of business (LOB) applications to the workforce. In order to allow their employees to work seamlessly on different platforms, including mobile devices, organizations are opting for an app delivery solutions to make LOB applications available 24/7, regardless of the device being used.
An Overview
An application can be anything from a bill payment site or banking portal to a shopping cart on an e-commerce site. App delivery refers to a suite of technologies that enables organizations to seamlessly deliver applications to any device, anytime and anywhere. It’s a secure and effective method to access shared applications and desktops over a wide area network (WAN). The application-delivery solution should be able to handle requests from hundreds or even thousands of concurrent users while providing a rich and consistent user experience across all devices.
How does app delivery work?
To seamlessly deliver applications, you need an application-delivery controller (ADC). Typically, an ADC is installed in front of your application servers so that it can receive requests from client devices and route them to the available application server for better performance and high availability. ADC solutions are available as hardware components and software solutions. ADC in the form of software is less expensive and more flexible, as you can scale the infrastructure on the go.
App delivery simplifies IT management. Because applications are installed and updated on the server, users don’t have to perform deployment tasks. Moreover, since application delivery reduces installation time and update procedures, the operational costs of hardware are reduced. The centralized management should allow administrators to monitor and manage the application-delivery network from a single pane. Application performance is improved as traffic is routed to high availability servers. Another huge benefit is the ability to deliver Windows applications to any device, including Chromebooks.
Methods
Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and Windows Remote Desktop Session Host (RDSH) are the two important methods used for app delivery. For the end user, both technologies are the same. However, administrators have to spend more time configuring RDSH networks.
The innovation in hypervisor and virtualization technologies reduced the gap between the two methods. Today, most users don’t need full Windows desktops as they use their own devices; they just need a specific Windows application. This means organizations can set up application-delivery using the less expensive RDSH technology and use a virtualization solution to manage the network. When full desktops are published, VDI has the edge.
Benefits of App Delivery in the Cloud
Gain Global Access to Your Application to Increase Revenue. You may now broaden the geographic reach of your application delivery to provide worldwide access. Global use of your application broadens the pool of potential customers for you. You can now offer the degree of support required to let users anywhere quickly download a file and run the program by distributing your application in the cloud.
Using a subscription-based business model, expand your company. Changing business models can be frightening, but switching to the Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) subscription-based business model can help boost the value of your company. You can increase your revenue, predictability, and stickiness.
Better User Experience Design for Your End Users. Increasing time to market helps you, but the end user also benefits since they can be up and running much more quickly. There is no setup needed, and new users may be added quickly and easily. This makes it possible for your clients to swiftly add more users without having to worry about making a commitment to a certain quantity of licenses over the long run.
Why is Parallels RAS a Great app delivery solution?
Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS), VMware, and Citrix are the leading providers of application delivery solutions. However, Parallels RAS has an edge over the other two, owing to its powerful features, low cost, and ease of use.
Alternatively, Parallels RAS is a comprehensive virtualization solution that comes with powerful, yet more streamlined, features. Most of the virtualization features come auto-configured straight out of the box. Furthermore, the tool is easy to deploy and manage. Using simple wizards, you can publish an application within minutes. Most importantly, Parallels RAS is the most cost-effective, streamlined app delivery solution on the market.
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