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

Before we were on a VPN model for remote usage into our data center, the performance issues with large datasets moving cross country really proved to be an issue with remote users. This product really moved the needle in solving for this.

Not every application is certified with this solution.

Good product, our POC proved that Xendesktop required lower bandwidth per machine than competitors.

Costs for one, we settled on VMware hypervisor with Citrix Xendesktop running underneath, additional costs were incurred because of this hybrid solution, another consideration would be the significant disk space required for what is called "write cache". It was unplanned and caused a considerable headache.

Since the POC, VMview has significantly improved thier bandwidth requirements. I wonder if a complete VMware solution may be a viable replacement at some point.

You can try XenDesktop as alternative to VMware view. The Express edition allow you to use up to 10 machines / users. I use XenDesktop as a Proof of Concept when our lab plans to move to Virtual Desktop. I try to connect from a client on windows machine connecting to remote windows desktop, playing movie is smooth, connecting USB device on your client will show on your virtual desktop.

Steep learning curve. You need to configure Active Directory and Desktop Delivery Console (DDC). You will also have to configure XenServer(s) as your VM host. You cannot install XenDesktop on your server; you need a dedicated machine to install XenServer. Connecting from a desktop is easy you just have to install a client. But if you want to be able to boot directly from client to your Virtual Desktop, you need to spend more time to configure it.

Good alternative to VMware view, free for 10 users, you can use it as test pilot

I love the extended features of this product. You can easily manage profiles and create desktops in minutes. You can also use your desktops on mobile devices pretty much anywhere. One feature that we use extensively is the WAN optimization. Our data backups are offsite, so moving data and virtual machines could kill our bandwidth, but this feature prevents that. XenDesktop 5 is lightyears ahead of XenDesktop 4. It is much easier to use, and the management interface is intuitive.

Sometimes creating good Active Directory policies can be confusing. Also, there is a lot of work in optimizing desktops so that they don't unnecessarily reduce server performance.

High initial cost, but over time it allows a much longer desktop refresh cycle. Our organization is using fat terminals instead of buying thin clients. Once those machines break, we can begin replacing with thin clients.

We use the solution for our remote employees to access their information.

The solution helps us with our ERP.

The most valuable feature is how secure the solution is.

The cost of the solution is high and has room for improvement.

The initial setup has room for improvement.

I have been using the solution for two years.

The solution is stable.

I give the scalability a nine out of ten.

We have around 40 people using the solution.

The initial setup is complex. We used five people for the deployment.

We have seen a return on investment.

The solution is expensive and I give the cost a four out of ten.

I give the solution a seven out of ten.

Hybrid Cloud

Citrix DaaS allows external users to connect to the external LAN. You can take complete control of this desktop. Additionally, you can manage company, grant others access to enterprise, and take control as needed.

The support could be enhanced.

I have been using Citrix DaaS as a partner.

Citrix has good support, but the response is very slow.

Positive

I rate the product’s pricing a seven out of ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive.

Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.