One of the challenges with running applications on remote servers is the odd appearance to users, and they have trouble adapting. RD RemoteApp is a Microsoft solution that runs on a Microsoft RDS server but appears to end users as if it were actually running on their systems, regardless of what OS they are using. Users do not need to open an RDS session; instead, they launch the application from their Start menu or a shortcut on their computer. The application appears in a window on the users’ computers just as if it were running on the local computer.

RD Web Access is an RDS server role that allows desktops and RD RemoteApp applications to launch from a web browser. In addition to the usual RDS infrastructure, RD Web Access needs Internet Information Services (IIS) to work properly.

An administrator can integrate virtual desktops and RD RemoteApp applications into web pages, which appear to launch from a web server. In other words, the clients use a web browser to access a website. From within this website, they can click on a link for the desktop or RD RemoteApp application. RD Web Access can be configured in an internal intranet or accessible to users from the Internet.

RD Web Access allows remote clients to connect to internal resources without the need for a VPN. Depending on what your remote clients need, this may be a suitable substitute.

Over the past few years, many software publishers have experimented with offering hosted services. The basic idea behind hosted services architecture is that an organization does not have to purchase licenses for software applications or have the hassles of installing or maintaining those applications. Instead, an ISP or a software vendor leases the applications to the organization. The application actually runs on the service provider’s servers, and users interact with the application over the Internet.

This arrangement has some drawbacks, however. For instance, a hosted service takes an application’s configuration out of an organization’s direct control. It is not uncommon to hear about network administrators who were put out of a job because the companies they worked for decided to outsource all of their applications to a hosting provider. Another compelling argument against the use of hosted services has to do with service availability. If your Internet connection fails, no one can access the hosted applications. Of course, Internet service is more reliable in some areas than others.

Remote Desktop Services for hosted applications has many benefits. The primary one is that the service provider takes care of all of the application maintenance for you. Many of these benefits are things that you just do not get if you install the applications locally on each individual workstation or if you outsource your applications to a hosting provider. Microsoft products can provide hosted applications using RD RemoteApp and RD Web Access.