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Parallels takes your users' Remote Desktop Server experience to the next level
Updated April 01, 2022

Parallels takes your users' Remote Desktop Server experience to the next level

Craig Cormier | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Parallels Remote Application Server

We are using Parallels to improve the performance of terminal Services for our users in our office in the United Kingdom, where they connect back to our office here in Massachusetts. Because of the connection between our offices, using normal Remote Desktop proved to be fairly slow for the users. Once we were able to overlay Parallels, they found their performance improved greatly.
  • Allows Mac users to feel like they are working natively.
  • Better usage on tablets or phones for Windows apps.
  • Documentation is good but sometimes confusing.
  • Installing certificates is difficult.
  • Improves efficiency of staff.
  • Improves morale.
Softgrid was great in its day but it was difficult to manage, and our applications that we were virtualizing were also more complicated. Parallels is more like a window into the software vs actually getting into the nuts and bolts of the software to allow the application to stream. But because applications have improved, an option like parallels now can support them vs a full virtualization of the app.
It's fairly easy, though I feel the documentation is a bit lacking. They seem to rely more on videos for implementation which are great when you have time to watch videos, but sometimes it's better to just have step by step documentation that you can work with. Aside from that, the basics are pretty intuitive so it's not bad.
We can now really use our ERP software on tablets, and not a half-assed implementation of it that requires bending and squishing to move around. With a keyboard attached, we now have a low-cost alternative to putting a laptop on the shop floor, or the ability to see certain screens from the web without writing a web interface.
I haven't really noticed any effect on using Parallels on ESXi vs using it on Hyper-V, but that maybe my use case just hasn't called for it.
We have been able to keep our ERP data locked down to our users just as if they had the application on their desktop and limit them to only the information they should be allowed to have. Since we aren't currently doing a front-facing app, security is a little simpler in our implementation.
Support is pretty quick to respond, and sometimes a sales engineer has gotten on the phone with us to make sure we were getting the best of our experience.

Do you think Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS)'s feature set?

Yes

Did Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Parallels Remote Application Server (Parallels RAS) again?

Yes

If you have users that require remote access to applications, it's a great alternative to requiring VPN and standard remote desktop application. You can control the users' experience far better, and a user who has a better experience is a happier and more productive user. I also feel a little more secure opening this to the web than I do just a straight remote desktop portal.

Using Parallels Remote Application Server

15 - These are employees primarily from the Customer Service, Remote Sales and Markering functions.
2 - IT focused individuals with a good handle on Remote Desktop Server as well as software administration and security.
  • Remote Performance
  • Mobile Application availibility
  • Remote stability
  • Making a mobile application out of a client server application
  • Improving application performance through Great Firewall of China
  • VDI
  • Application Security
The product is very useful and fairly easy to maintain. We enjoy the multiple additonal platforms we can now run our Windows only Client Server applications on, such as Macs, iPads, phones, etc. We also find that speed is improved for using this applications over a WAN, while it still FEELS like running the application locally.

Evaluating Parallels RAS and Competitors

Yes - We used to use Citrix XenApp for a while, but then that was purchased by Microsoft and discontinued. We also didn't have as much need for it after our ERP application was updated recently to remove a portion that caused profile issues.
  • Price
  • Product Features
  • Product Reputation
I had used the Parallels Desktop Mac software for many years prior so I already felt comfortable with the quality of products that they brought to the market.
I can't think of anything I would change.

Parallels RAS Implementation

We did go back later and re-implement to give external access to this server.
  • Implemented in-house
Change management was minimal
  • Understanding some of the complexities of the server setup as far as IP and gateways went

Parallels RAS Training

  • Online training
Documentation is fair but sometimes a little difficult to follow

Configuring Parallels RAS

I think it is just right for this product.
Just follow the implementation guidelines it really will vary depending on the scale of your implementation.
Some - we have done small customizations to the interface - Easy enough, and just enough to let users know they were successful in logging in and such.
No - we have not done any custom code

Parallels RAS Support

ProsCons
Quick Resolution
Good followup
Knowledgeable team
Problems get solved
Kept well informed
No escalation required
Immediate help available
Support understands my problem
Support cares about my success
Quick Initial Response
None
I don't think we purchased Premium Support
I can't recall any EXCEPTIONAL support calls, all were solid and helped us resolve whatever issues we had in a timely fashion.

Using Parallels RAS

ProsCons
Like to use
Relatively simple
Easy to use
Well integrated
Consistent
Quick to learn
Convenient
None
  • Remote Application Usage
  • Printer Support
  • Adding Applications
  • Server Maintenance
Yes - The mobile interface works very well.
Solid, a little complicated to set up for some things, but once it's going it is excellent.

Parallels RAS Reliability

Can handle single instance or multiple instances and redundancies.
If you have the bandwidth to set it up that way, you can definitely have availibility near 100%.
It does not seem to add much overhead to the applications that it is serving

Integrating Parallels RAS

We were able to integrate everything we wished for it.
  • Aptean IntuitiveERP
  • Microsoft Office
  • Custom Reporting Tools
No, we used Parallels ability to serve up these applications. There was very little difficulty with any of these applications being able to be used in the VDI environment.
  • Single Signon
Follow the documentation, contact support if needed.

Relationship with Parallels

Easy to work with, responsive.
Support was attentive and responsive.
Price per seat.

Upgrading Parallels RAS