Simple to configure and use
Overall Satisfaction with Parallels Remote Application Server
We sell and support Sybiz ERP and Payroll software. We have Sybiz users who needed to upgrade their infrastructure but were put off by the projected costs. We configured our own Azure server with the Parallels image and now provide those resources to 12 client entities. We provide their users with published apps via the Parallels client. Our Azure server has 20 to 30 users connected most days.
- Published apps
- Local printers
- Support
- It just seems to work
- Increased revenue
- Increased net profit
- Increased customer loyalty/dependance
We did try to configure a solution that worked for us using native Azure resources but it all seemed too hard. We are not networking/infrastructure providers ourselves and have limited experience with Azure. Using the Parallels RAS image from the Azure Marketplace we were able to quickly create and test the solution and implemented it for clients within 30 days.
Our users only access the resources via Windows and/or Apple devices but it works fine on both those environments.
Our users are only connecting via PC or Mac and the Parallels client works seamlessly.
We have no experience with Parallels in these areas.
We find the granular permission in the RAS console very useful. We have users accessing our Azure server from multiple entities and can publish only the apps and resources we want to individual users and/or groups of users as we choose.
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
Using Parallels Remote Application Server
30 - Accounting, Payroll and ERP
1 - Low level networking support. The one in-house person we have is not professionally trained and is entirely self taught having been in IT related roles for many years. Any reasonably interested IT person can manage Parallels RAS by following the guides (and occasional assistance from Parallels support).
- Micro to small enterprises requiring Windows Server and SQL without the overheads.
- We can provide one server to multiple clients at relatively low cost.
Evaluating Parallels RAS and Competitors
Yes - I spent time trying to acheive the same results with Azure native solutions. It all seemed to difficult for my skill set. I tested the Parallels image from Azure and had a working solution in hours. I then spent a bit more time confirming how we could run Sybiz Vision and Visipay for multiple entities while maintaining security of clients data and there was nothing I could not acheive that I required. Almost a turnkey solution with very little additional configuration.
- Product Usability
I would skip the many days of work I did in Azure trying to acheive the same results and just go direct to the Parallels server image and get the job going.
Parallels RAS Implementation
- Implemented in-house
Yes - We did not know what solutions were available. Tried Azure, then Citrix, then found Parallels.
Azure and Citrix required either too much learning or a costly implementation partner.
Once I found Parallels and was able to have a server up and running and connected with Parallels Client in a couple of hours the decision was made.
I then spent some time over the next 30 day working out how we could provide diverse clients with solutions on the one server while maintaining privacy and security.
We implemented for inhouse use, 3 users; then after a month added our first client user, another 3 users and have been growing from there.
Azure and Citrix required either too much learning or a costly implementation partner.
Once I found Parallels and was able to have a server up and running and connected with Parallels Client in a couple of hours the decision was made.
I then spent some time over the next 30 day working out how we could provide diverse clients with solutions on the one server while maintaining privacy and security.
We implemented for inhouse use, 3 users; then after a month added our first client user, another 3 users and have been growing from there.
Change management was minimal - For us it wasn't so much 'change' as 'additional' so a gradual phased implementation with low impact testing was possible.
Parallels RAS Support
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved Kept well informed Immediate help available Support understands my problem Support cares about my success Quick Initial Response | Escalation required |
We have not needed premium support. The few little glitches we have had have resulted from my ignorance and have not been mission critical. We had one issue where a service failed to start after an update. That was mission critical; support called me back immediately and were able to resolve the matter in minutes.
I performed an update on the server. A service failed to start and therefore the Parallels Client was unable to connect. I messaged support as 'critical' and had a phone call back to me within 10 minutes and the matter was resolved 10 minutes later.