Parallels RAS - once you've used it you won't want anything else!
February 22, 2022
Parallels RAS - once you've used it you won't want anything else!
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
Overall Satisfaction with Parallels Remote Application Server
We use Parallels RAS not just for the publication of desktops to users, but for our in-house ERP app. RAS is the only remote access solution that we've used that has the customization options needed to publish this app successfully. It has plentiful, easily configurable, and granular options for each app published.
- Security
- Very easy to install, configure and use
- Plenty of options to publish apps (client, HTML5, mobile apps etc.)
- Frequent updates
- Great support team
- Third party integrations (e.g. Google Authenticator)
- Public SSL Certs need to be wrapped which can be a faff (over complicated task) if you're not used to such things.
- Make it easy to differentiate between local and remote users for licensing purposes.
- Bring back per-user exclusions on Deepnet DualShield integration!
- Makes remote access very easy
- Rarely has problems from clients using RAS
RDS has few options when publishing apps outside of the organisation vs RAS along with a limited and (since Server 2012) completely bizarre admin GUI. RAS is very simply administrated from locally installed client along with pre-defined admin use permissions.
There are also basic monitoring tools for the desktops and servers that are being published.
Security is enhanced too with the use of SSL.
There are also basic monitoring tools for the desktops and servers that are being published.
Security is enhanced too with the use of SSL.
The console has made the IT team much more productive when deploying and monitoring published apps.
Gone are the days of trying to work out the logic of managing remote apps via Windows Server 2012+ Manager.
Granular console permissions help with security and mean that more members of the IT team can contribute in supporting the app and end users.
Gone are the days of trying to work out the logic of managing remote apps via Windows Server 2012+ Manager.
Granular console permissions help with security and mean that more members of the IT team can contribute in supporting the app and end users.
We've used the iOS and Android clients successfully to access our ERP app. The most common use scenario are handheld/iPad-like devices in our warehouses, and they make deployment very simple and cost efficient. No need purchase custom hardware!
The mobile clients have also been useful for demonstrating the system to potential clients and at trade events.
The mobile clients have also been useful for demonstrating the system to potential clients and at trade events.
Our RAS deployment is virtualized on Hyper-V and works seamlessly alongside it. We've installed Parallels on 2012 thru 2019 with no issues whatsoever.
The license is tied to the MAC address, so make sure you give your VMs static MACs!
The license is tied to the MAC address, so make sure you give your VMs static MACs!
SSL and Multi Factor Authentication have helped us very easily tick some PCI DSS & GDPR boxes.
We use a publicly signed SSL certificate for remotely published apps.
Both Google Authenticator and integration with the Deepnet DualShield platform make implementing MFA very easy with plenty of 2nd device options.
We use a publicly signed SSL certificate for remotely published apps.
Both Google Authenticator and integration with the Deepnet DualShield platform make implementing MFA very easy with plenty of 2nd device options.
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