What is our primary use case?
We have some of our client applications deployed onto the RDS platform, and we need to test those applications through RDS Web Access. We need to test how external users access these applications from different networks, like the cloud gateway or external locations. As a part of the QA team, I need to check if users can access the applications without any issues.
What is most valuable?
Basically, I also work with Citrix, and I think the most important thing is getting access to Citrix. Microsoft developed the RDS solution for this purpose, and we don't see any issues accessing applications from Microsoft RDS. It's a good solution.
What needs improvement?
Users have reported that sometimes when we try to initialize an application, the session disappears one out of ten times. So, maybe it can be one of the areas of improvement. We are still investigating the issue, but we believe it might be due to a network or server issue.
Because this was the only issue I experienced was with the initialization of the session, which affected the stability of the service.
For how long have I used the solution?
It's a project-based thing for me, so I move into different technologies depending on the project. I worked on Microsoft in June, and now I am into RDS. Currently, I am working on a project for RDS, and once that's done, I may move on to another technology. So, I've been using RDS for around three to four months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
It is stable, but users have reported that sometimes when we try to initialize an application, the session disappears one out of ten times. So we have to download the session file again and re-initiate the session. This issue occurs occasionally, and we must click on the application to reinitialize the session.
We are actually trying to get some insights on the issue with the initial initialization of sessions from the architect, also.
Overall, I would rate the stability a seven out of ten because we still need clarity from the architect. Is it something in the world of technology, or do we have the same issue? Or is it something that we are getting this issue because we moved to a new enrollment? We are just awaiting that.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is scalable. Currently, we have 19 host servers, and each host is serving around 20 sessions or so.
I would rate the scalability an eight out of ten, where ten is very scalable. I haven't compared it with other solutions, but as an end-user, I believe it is quite scalable.
We have around 600 people, but about 300 to 400 users use the solution concurrently. Nowadays, we are using it regularly due to people working from different locations, but previously it was mainly used when people were working remotely from home.
How are customer service and support?
The customer service and support team is good.
How would you rate customer service and support?
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is not that difficult. I have gone through the RDS initialization steps, which only seem easy.
I would rate the setup around eight because I haven't compared it with other tools yet. But overall, I'm comfortable with the solution.
What about the implementation team?
For the deployment process, in the current scenario, we have this solution from one vendor, and we are migrating it to a new platform. So it's not a complete configuration but rather a lift-and-ship process from one platform to another. We've been working on it for a long time.
We have around four to five people for the deployment and about four to five people for testing the applications after migration. There are a couple of architects who are looking into all the configuration changes in the lift-and-ship process. And there are also a couple of managers and a few quality assurance people.
For maintenance, the client has a partnership with Microsoft for maintenance as part of this deployment.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend the solution to people, especially for its security aspects and device compatibility.
I would give it a nine, it's good overall.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.