Citrix Workspace App | What Is It and Why Use It?

Citrix Workspace App (formerly known as Citrix Receiver) enables users to access applications, services, and data from several desktop and mobile devices. By using this product, you can instantly access all your software as a Service (SaaS) and web applications, files, and mobile apps. This workspace can be accessed from various endpoint devices and operating systems, such as Windows, Windows Mobile, macOS, iPad, iPhone, and Android.

Citrix Workspace App is the front-end of the Workspace platform. Users have a single entry to their enterprise applications, desktops, and data by using any device from any network. The Citrix Workspace Platform allows unified administration of services like Virtual Apps and Desktops, Endpoint Management, Secure Browser, Analytics, Gateway, etc. The Workspace Platform allows customers to subscribe to these services and is managed by Citrix.

Citrix Workspace App Uses

Citrix Workspace App can access all applications through single sign-on (SSO). Files are stored centrally and dynamically updated across all devices that can access them. Personal and work-related applications can exist on any device without any threat of data breach for a company. Additionally, it redirects any browsing-related activities to a cloud-hosted web browser, which is isolated from the corporate network. Browsers are more or less secured from a possible cyber-security breach.

Citrix Brand Personalization

In 2018, Citrix introduced brand personalization. This feature enables organizations to customize the name of Citrix Workspace App and the application icon, color, and theme.

Does the Citrix Workspace App Have Any Drawbacks?

You must have Citrix Virtual Apps to use the app, which can be quite expensive. Owing to this dependency, spending a considerable amount on software does not make much sense for a medium-scale organization. Apart from the cost, Citrix has set the minimum number of users to 25. If your organization has just 15 members, you are still required to pay the same amount as you would for 25 users’ licenses.

Vendor lock-in is another factor to consider when deciding on a workspace product. Once a business commits to a vendor, it may be challenging to switch to other technologies. Citrix Workspace might seem a good option in the short term, but what if companies need to implement new technologies in the future or take another approach to deliver services?

Known Issues with Citrix Workspace App

Citrix provides a list of known issues with each release of the Citrix Workspace app. While the security and application delivery of Citrix is useful, its user interface may be difficult to maneuver. The user experience may be designed for highly skilled IT professionals with in-depth technical knowledge.

Certain limited functionalities of Citrix make it difficult for users to reap the full benefits of security and application delivery effectively.

Citrix Workspace App Modules

Multiple Citrix Workspace App modules are distributed by the Workspace app installer. These are the crucial ones:

The ICA Engine (wfica.exe) process connects to published desktops and programs using the ICA protocol.
Self-Service (selfservice.exe) shows icons in a Window after retrieving them from StoreFront. In order to create a connection, Self-service sends the ICA file to the ICA Engine when an icon is clicked.
SSON (Single Sign-on) for ICA (ssonsvr.exe) – after establishing an ICA connection, it records user credentials and sends them to VDAs.
Notifies users of Workspace app changes using the Workspace Auto-Update feature (CitrixReceiverUpdater.exe). Citrix Workspace Update is the most current moniker for this component.

Parallels RAS: An Alternative for Desktop and Application Delivery

Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS) is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution that offers high-end features in a single licensing model.

Parallels RAS enables you to publish virtual applications and desktops from a centralized location—at an affordable price. With Parallels RAS, you can get all components in one unified package, including enterprise range features.

Another significant advantage of Parallels RAS is that IT admins can quickly deploy and manage this solution from a single pane of glass.

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