Microsoft Remote Desktop Services and Horizon 8 are competing solutions for remote desktop needs. While RDS is cost-effective with its integration in Windows and essential features, Horizon 8 holds the upper hand in offering advanced capabilities and customization suitable for enterprise environments.
Features: Microsoft RDS supports remote application access, centralized management, and high availability. It works well with Windows desktops and offers scalability options. Horizon 8 excels in advanced virtualization features, supports both persistent and non-persistent virtual desktops, centralized updates, and simplifies disaster recovery.
Room for Improvement: Microsoft RDS could improve in network latency handling, security enhancements, and better cross-platform integration. Users would like a more intuitive interface and stronger security protocols. Horizon 8 faces challenges with high costs and complex licensing, needing better performance on lower bandwidth and simpler installations.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft RDS is mainly deployed on-premises, appreciated for straightforward configuration but receives varied support experiences based on licensing. Horizon 8 supports a range of deployments including hybrid cloud, offering flexibility but noted for initial complexity. Users find support generally reliable though pricing and response times can be concerning.
Pricing and ROI: RDS is seen as cost-effective with multiple licensing options, fitting for small to medium enterprises, though its cost can be high compared to free alternatives. Horizon 8 has higher licensing costs but delivers significant returns with its management features and scalability, making it worthwhile for extensive virtualization environments.
Our support from VMware expired last December.
My impression is that most of the solutions, especially today, make sense for large corporations with 2000 seats or more.
We have limited capabilities since we are not using a multi-instance solution, just single instances.
It should be easier to create a template and duplicate users.
I rate the cost-effectiveness of GenApp of Citrix equal to our CMS; it is quite cost-effective.
The solution has data leak prevention features that ensure data is not copied from the base machine to VDI.
VMware Horizon is a virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution designed to allow users to create secure and scalable virtual desktops and applications that work on any device, from any location. These virtualization capabilities help simplify and speed up application delivery and greatly reduce enterprise costs.
VMware Horizon’s centralized management console provides IT admins with comprehensive control over all of their virtual desktops and applications, making them simple to manage and secure. The solution enables using features such as identity and access management, multi-factor authentication, and encryption, to ensure ultimate data protection.
Some of key the benefits of using VMware Horizon include:
Some of the top features of VMware Horizon include:
Reviews from Real Users
VMware Horizon stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Several major ones are its high performance, flexibility, and powerful virtualization capabilities.
Natnael A., a consultant at IWM Network Solutions, writes, “The app virtualizing is a great feature. The system developers use it to deliver apps to targeted staff. It basically reduces the server infrastructure resource. The solution provides good functionality.”
Rob M., a systems administrator at Saint Tammany Parish Hospital, says, “The solution has provided flexibility by allowing an end user to remote in, log in, and get their VM. VDI session and have all the icons and applications they need to use and retain the same booking view regardless of location.”
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is a highly regarded remote access tool in addition to being a top-ranked Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution in the marketplace today.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) is a suite of valuable elements of the Windows operating system (OS) that serve specific desired objectives. Microsoft RDS integrates various features that allow approved users to gain access to graphical desktops and Windows applications remotely. Approved users are able to deploy applications or even a complete desktop without having to install anything on their devices. Everything remains in the cloud. This ensures that there are never any compatibility issues and keeps the organization's original network secure at all times. Administrators are also able to ensure that data cannot be stored in any unapproved location, such as the local device, unapproved drives, or any other location.
Microsoft RDS makes it easy for business organizations to access Windows Desktops and other Windows applications remotely to ensure today’s busy enterprise organizations are able to maintain the highest levels of productivity at all times. There are two basic ways organizations can effectively utilize RDS.
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Benefits
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services has many benefits. Some of its most valuable benefits include:
Microsoft Remote Desktop Services makes it easy for busy enterprise organizations to stay productive and remain competitive in today’s aggressive marketplace. An organization's end-users can be given access to their own specific desktops from any location, anytime, using any approved device. Additionally, users can access Microsoft applications without having an effect on their device's resource capacity or performance.
Reviews from Real Users
“What I found most valuable in Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is accessibility because the solution lets you take control of your computer remotely, and that's a good feature.” Pascal B., IT consultant at Secoptrial
“The most valuable features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services are unification, central management, and accessibility.” Jan S. Solution Architect at a tech services company
“The most valuable features are that it is fast and cost-effective. I am not aware of a replacement currently on the market.” Ramon H. Director at Empaco
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