How To Reduce IT Costs With Parallels Remote Application Server
Last updated on August 18, 2021
To optimize resources in an era of shrinking IT budgets, IT network administrators are finding that there are many advantages to implementing a comprehensive virtualization solution. Parallels Remote Application Server (RAS) is a leading provider of virtual application and delivery solutions. These solutions are the best way to reduce IT costs and simplify IT management.
How does Parallels RAS reduce IT costs?
In today’s world of decreasing IT budgets, organizations face the difficult challenge of optimizing resources while improving performance and productivity. According to analyst firm Gartner, year-after-year organizational IT spending is on the decline. Global IT spending was $3.5 trillion in 2015, but this value decreased by 0.5% in 2016, totalling $3.49 trillion. The analysts at Gartner point to the current environment of economic uncertainty as one of the main reasons for reduced spending. Moreover, organizations are trying to optimize spending and redirect funds to other digital technology initiatives.
Statista, an online statistics portal, reported that organizations spent $646 billion on devices and $866 billion on IT services in 2016. The company estimates that IT spending on devices will decrease to $600 billion, while IT spending on services will reach $943 billion in 2017. This is attributable to the rise in “bring-your-own-device” (BYOD) policies, which require the company to make fewer computer hardware-based purchases. Instead of purchasing hardware and infrastructure as an asset, organizations are now purchasing hardware and infrastructure as a service.
Virtualization is the key to reducing IT costs
Cloud computing and virtualization technology have been driving this transformation. With the cloud, organizations are able to leverage legacy infrastructure and optimize resources while making resources available to remote devices on a 24/7 basis. However, for most organizations, the key to successful implementation of cloud-based networks lies in a powerful virtualization solution. Parallels RAS, VMware, and Citrix Virtual Apps (formerly Citrix XenApp)/Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktop (formerly Citrix XenDesktop) are the leading providers of virtualization solutions available in the market. However, Parallels RAS has an edge over the other two solutions in terms of ease of use and low licensing costs.
Licensing costs make a difference
Virtualization is definitely a great option to optimize resources and reduce IT costs. However, the licensing costs of leading virtualization solutions such as VMware and Citrix are significantly higher than other comparable solutions available to IT departments. Small and medium-sized businesses have to scour through multiple packages to determine the lowest subscription price without sacrificing critical features.
The licensing model of VMware and Citrix is far too complex for many organizations to manage efficiently. First, IT teams using these virtualization solutions must select an edition and then purchase licenses for all software pieces in that edition. To create a complete VDI environment, IT administrators need additional components for tasks such as load balancing and device redirection for local printing. Furthermore, adding new users and generating licenses is a time-consuming process. However, Parallels RAS is a comprehensive virtualization solution that offers all features in a single package and an easy-to-understand licensing model. In fact, the award-winning virtualization tool by Parallels reduces licensing costs by 60% when compared to other solutions while still offering the same functionality.
Reduced IT management and support costs
Other virtualization solutions demand complex installation and configuration procedures that can span days, weeks, and even months. IT teams need professionals certified on these sprawling virtualization sets to install and configure the multiple components correctly.
In contrast, Parallels RAS is easy to deploy and use. Using a simple installation wizard, IT administrators can easily set up the tool within minutes. While the tool is easy to use, it eliminates installation expenses to reduce IT costs. In addition, reduced time to production increases productivity. Furthermore, the solution is highly scalable, which means IT administrators can add users on the fly as the organization grows.
Low-cost thin clients significantly reduce IT costs
Additionally, if IT administrators decide they cannot afford expensive solutions such as Citrix and VMware and instead settle for Microsoft RDS, non-Windows devices receive limited functionality. This means IT administrators have to install third-party tools to support these devices. However, Parallels RAS is the only virtualization solution that supports a range of devices, including iOS, Android, Mac, Linux and Chromebook. With Parallels RAS, IT networks can support any thin client device, which is a great method to reduce IT costs.
Finally, Parallels RAS supports all major hypervisors, which means IT administrators can easily integrate existing infrastructure on a step-by-step basis. The IT department can use legacy infrastructure and perform migrations more efficiently and at a more deliberate pace. In addition, Parallels RAS allows IT administrators to implement HTML5-enabled browser access to shared resources such as applications and virtual desktops without the need to install client software on the individual end-user device.
Ready to try Parallels RAS? Click here to download the free trial.
References
Reduce IT Costs: Gartner Says Worldwide IT Spending Is Forecast to Decline 0.5 Percent in 2016 | gartner.com
Reduce IT Costs: Forecast global information technology (IT) spending from 2012 to 2020, by segment (in billion U.S. dollars) | statista.com
Reduce IT Costs: 5 Financial Benefits of Moving to the Cloud | webroot.com
Reduce IT Costs: Parallels RAS 15 targets price-conscious Citrix, VMware shops | searchvirtualdesktop.techtarget.com
Reduce IT Costs: What has Parallels done with 2X Remote Application Server? As it turns out, a lot! | brianmadden.com
