Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) Reviews

Name: Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service)
Brand: Citrix
Rating: 4 (93 reviews)

Vendor: Citrix

4.2 out of 5

93 reviews
91% willing to recommend

2,755 followers

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Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) is the #1 ranked solution in top Application Virtualization solutions, #1 ranked solution in top Desktop as a Service vendors, #5 ranked solution in top Remote Access solutions, and #6 ranked solution in top Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solutions. PeerSpot users give Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) is most commonly compared to VMware Workstation: Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) vs VMware Workstation. Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 64% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 15% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service)

September 2024

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Featured reviews

DavidWood1

Senior Infrastructure Engineer at a retailer with 10,001+ employees

Provisioning Server is a fantastic option for image management in Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops. It offers excellent performance and reliability. On the other hand, while Machine Creation Services can be scaled easily, they can significantly increase storage consumption. For instance, creating a Windows 10 image in MCS typically requires at least 80 GB of storage, in addition to any separate disks needed. To store changes made by users in Machine Creation Services, the differencing disk must be equal in size to the base disk, leading to significant storage consumption. On the other hand, Provisioning Server uses image versioning, creating a new image version every time it's modified. As a result, virtual machines streamed from the server revert to their original state after a reboot, which is similar to their state during the first boot. Using the provisioning server, I start by configuring a virtual machine with either a 2016 or 2019 server operating system. I install the necessary Citrix client provisioning server target device software, followed by installing the required applications. After that, I capture the entire configuration to a file share. The image is then streamed from the file share to the hypervisor, which can handle multiple machines. In some large-scale deployments, we have used a single image to provision thousands of servers. Once the image is captured and stored on the file share, it is set to read-only mode, and any changes made to it are not accepted until it is put in read-write mode. When a virtual machine is rebooted, it returns to its previous state before the changes were made. This feature can be beneficial in situations like a virus outbreak, where a simple reboot of the virtual machines can remove any malicious code or changes. A provisioning server offers a faster recovery time from a bad change and is generally faster than machine creation services. With the provisioning server, changes are not accepted until the read-write mode is enabled, and if a virus outbreak occurs, rebooting the machines restores them to the previous state. On the other hand, machine creation services' speed is dependent on the storage's speed, and recovery time from a bad change can take longer, especially with a large number of devices. If a bad change is made with machine creation services, the replication process can take a while to revert, whereas, with a provisioning server, all machines can be rebooted quickly. Within thirty minutes, I can restore my system to its previous state using the provisioning server.

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Reviewer89245

CIO at a healthcare company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Where improvement could be driven is in terms of clarity as to the functionality of some of the solutions. If you go back to the older Citrix Xen products that we had, we understood those really well. As we've come into the new workstation premium suite, there is a lot of additional functionality that we perhaps have not yet fully exploited. It is not because we can't, but simply because we don't yet understand the depth of functionality that's offered. We made the upgrade to the Workspace suite last year we had planned to train this year but then the pandemic struck. We've only had one thing on our minds since March and that's how do we keep the hospital running? How do we make sure we keep people safe? And how do we treat patients in the face of a once-in-a-century experience? Citrix have offered to help with demos or presentations of these new features, but we also simply haven't had time to dive in.

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Jeff Vincent

CEO at Lucid Tech Services

Templating the deployment process could use improvement. When you start, there are a large number of details that are quite client-specific, although they do share common themes. To get somebody up and running in a day is very difficult to do. They should streamline by use case. There's always going to be an outlier that doesn't really fit neatly into any one use case, so that's going to have to be more customized. An accountancy firm has sensitive data. They are prime targets for identity thieves that are always looking for an easy target and low-hanging fruit. If they were to template a deployment for an accountancy firm with all the needful things that every accountancy firm is going to have to have, it should be that you can just radio button the Apps so that accountants can tell the backend that they're going to need certain things. Then you can say, "We have this number of users and they need this number of spare desktops - go." And it just built the Azure environment. That would be really great. I don't know that it's actually possible, but it would be really good. The other issue is the stocking orders and the monthly reports. They're difficult because we don't do it every day. We do the stocking order once a year and there's always confusion on the backend.

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Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) mindshare

Product category:

As of September 2024, the mindshare of Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) in the Application Virtualization category stands at 17.4%, down from 33.3% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Virtualization

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Aug 7, 2024

Valuable Features

Citrix DaaS offers valuable features including seamless automatic software upgrades, easy setup, high flexibility, strong security, excellent user experience, reliable remote connections, low cost, centralized policy control, user behavior analytics, and virtualization on any device. It supports various applications and desktops, provides a secure environment for data, and enhances productivity for remote users. Its strong integration with Microsoft and sophisticated policy control ensure optimal performance and a smooth user experience even with poor bandwidth.

"I have found that Citrix DaaS is still a complex product, especially on the desktop side, which affects scalability. Although it works well on the apps side, the desktop aspect still has room for improvement in scalability. Managing multiple OSs centrally doesn't reduce many problems, and the product remains almost on par with its competitors like VMware Vue."
"The most beneficial feature is seamless remote access, particularly for applications rather than full endpoints. Security features include full data encryption and integrated SSL VPN through NetScaler for secure access."
"The most valuable feature of the solution is the desktop virtualization, which allows me to connect from anywhere."

Room for Improvement

Citrix DaaS needs improvements in pricing, integration with other environments, and overall user experience. There are concerns about performance, particularly with latency and speed, especially for video editing and high-density videos. The complexity of setup and deployment can be cumbersome, and support for training materials could be enhanced. Users also seek better technical support and a more streamlined management interface. Enhanced mobile access and reduced dependency on specific infrastructures are recommended.

"Compared with the Outlook mobile app, the Citrix mobile app shows some lag in authentication."
"Pricing and technical support need improvement."
"Pricing and technical support needs improvement."

ROI

Citrix DaaS provides excellent ROI with benefits in time savings, employee satisfaction, and security. Universities appreciated its flexibility and advanced designs. Healthcare organizations found it essential during the pandemic, reducing data costs and enabling productivity from home. Users saved on business continuity plans and scaled operations by pursuing larger contracts. Companies experienced improved productivity and coordination. Some noted mixed cost savings, but security and efficiency were enhanced. Implementing Citrix DaaS with thin clients resulted in notable savings and reduced carbon emissions.

Pricing

Citrix DaaS pricing varies widely, with perpetual enterprise licenses around $300 USD. Many users find the licensing straightforward, yet some struggle with complexities. Licensing flexibility allows for basic, advanced, or premium options without hidden costs. While some enterprise users report high satisfaction, others find costs prohibitive, especially when additional infrastructure is required. Microsoft's associated costs and support issues can impact total expenses. Negotiation often helps lower costs, reflecting Citrix's adaptability and competitive positioning.

"Implementing Citrix DaaS with thin clients, rather than physical laptops, has resulted in savings of 27% to 29%. Additionally, moving 1,000 users from physical laptops to thin clients and VDI solutions can save around 40,000 kilograms of carbon emissions, benefiting both the environment and the company's economy, provided thin clients are used."
"In the past, the prices of the product were great. With the acquisition of Citrix by your company, the prices have drastically increased. For my company, it has become a bit of a problem to sell products from Citrix."
"It is an expensive solution. I rate its pricing a nine out of ten."

Popular Use Cases

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) is primarily used for remote access, enabling employees to work securely from various locations. Organizations use it for delivering virtual applications and desktops to multiple users, supporting work-from-home initiatives, and ensuring secure access to internal resources. It facilitates the use of virtual applications in universities, healthcare systems, law firms, and technical support teams, enhancing flexibility, security, and centralized management of IT infrastructure.

Service and Support

Users mention Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) customer support as responsive and knowledgeable. They highlight fast issue resolution and helpful guidance. Users appreciate the efficiency and professionalism of the support team. Some users indicate occasional delays in receiving responses but generally feel satisfied with the assistance provided. Users also note the detailed documentation available which helps address common queries.

Deployment

Initial setup of Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) is straightforward but varies in complexity based on environment size and requirements. Some companies found it quick and easy, completing within days, while others experienced delays due to larger scale deployments or integration challenges. Expertise levels, documentation quality, and external support, such as consultants, influenced setup ease. Smaller and simpler environments generally faced fewer issues than larger or more complex deployments.

Scalability

Citrix DaaS is highly scalable, seamlessly accommodating users across diverse companies, from small teams to tens of thousands. Organizations have scaled up rapidly during emergencies and have praised its ease of expansion, integration, and maintenance. The only limits cited are hardware and licensing constraints. Overall feedback indicates Citrix DaaS handles significant user increases efficiently without notable issues, making it suitable for varied scalability needs.

Stability

Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) is praised for its stability, with many citing it as dependable and reliable. Users highlight minimal downtime, consistent performance, and effective issue resolution. Stability is often attributed to robust infrastructure, security updates, and efficient resource management. Some mention the importance of network conditions for optimal performance, while others value its reliability, especially during high-demand periods. The platform is appreciated for its continual improvements and solid operation across various environments.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Government

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Retailer

Educational Organization

Insurance Company

University

Energy/Utilities Company

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Media Company

Legal Firm

Comms Service Provider

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Wholesaler/Distributor

Pharma/Biotech Company

Logistics Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Transportation Company

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Consumer Goods Company

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Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) was previously known as Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops, XenDesktop, XenApp (Citrix Virtual Apps).

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Citrix DaaS (formerly Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service) customers

Exelon, Aeronamic, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Alameda County Medical Center, Alaska Department of Fish & Game, Aloysius Stichting, Amarchand Mangaldas, AmBev, Amnet Technology Solutions, Arval