As part of the new version 18 Parallels is expanding its Remote Application Server (RAS) with some functions. The software is aimed at companies that want to provide virtualized applications. These run either on a local server or in the cloud.

The main innovation is the integration of the Windows Virtual Desktop, a fully virtualized Windows environment along with applications that reside entirely in the Azure cloud. Now the virtual systems, the programs running there and their users can be managed centrally from the RAS console. The latter should also be used to automate routine tasks if desired.

The administration environment can also be used to provide new applications and desktops in Microsoft’s Azure Windows. Furthermore, Parallels will in future offer automatic scaling of the virtual RAS environment, regardless of whether it is running on premises or in Azure.

Management of user profiles RAS 18 can also handle Microsoft’s FSLogix profile containers. They are responsible for the administration of the user profiles in virtual environments and should reduce latencies and the risk of damaged professionals compared to the previously used User Profile Disks (UPD) Experience (UX) evaluator. With it, those responsible should be able to measure how well users can work with the virtual environment. First and foremost, the tool pays attention to delays between user input and the system’s responses.

Another new feature is the web portal for administrators, the RAS -Helpdesk tool replaced. It can be used on the desktop or smartphone to remotely deploy and configure RAS components and then monitor them.

Readers can find details on all new functions in the announcement of the release. RAS 18 appears as commercial software, the prices depend on the length of the contract and are calculated from the number of simultaneous users. A free trial version is also available.

(fo)