Case Study: Parallels RAS and Automation24 GmbH
Last updated on May 15, 2018
The Customer: Automation24 GmbH
Automation24 GmbH (Learn more) is an online shop for automation technology. Whether mechatronics, electrical engineering, or designing, industry professionals can find all the essential standard products for automation technology on the Automation24 website. The company has established itself as a price leader for small-quantity purchase volume. Its target markets are Great Britain, Germany, Austria, Spain, France, Italy, Poland, and Sweden.
SkySystems IT GmbH provides Automation24 with full IT support services, including application publishing and local device support.
The Challenge
In 2011, Automation24 needed to offer remote access to the enterprise resource planning (ERP) software to around 30 employees. The company was using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services (RDS) or Terminal Server. They wanted a streamlined connection to offer a more seamless experience to employees on their mobile and desktop devices from anywhere.
The Solution: Streamlined, seamless application publishing experience
At the suggestion of their service partner SkySystems IT, Automation24 implemented Parallels® Remote Application Server (RAS). To provide streamlined access to the ERP solution, Skysystems IT publishes the applications through Microsoft RDS to remote clients via a remote connection protocol. The automated server load balancing within Parallels RAS allows the service provider to offer lightning-fast, uninterrupted remote access to all required applications.
Key Benefits: Device-independent virtual application delivery
With Parallels RAS, SkySystems IT can support a variety of devices that Automation24 employees choose, including PC, Microsoft Surface, Mac®, iPad®, iPhone®, and Android tablets and smartphones. This has empowered the company to adopt a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) policy; employees can install the Parallels RAS client on their personal devices that they’re most comfortable using.
Additionally, Automation24 has increased savings by lowering hardware costs. Through the central deployment and management of line-of-business (LoB) applications, the company has been able to put off and reduce expensive hardware upgrades.
“Our employees are satisfied because they can choose their own devices, and they could even use ERP software on their personal devices from home.” –Thorsten Schulze, CEO, Automation24 GmbH
