Written by Prashant Ketkar, Chief Technology & Product Officer, Alludo
As remote and hybrid working continues to gather momentum, the ability to work safely and without limitations is increasingly important. Parallels RAS 19 includes new features that enable this by delivering robust security, lightning-fast app delivery, lighter IT management and cost savings.
Adapting to change is essential to having a competitive advantage. And with remote and hybrid work becoming an integral part of the new work culture, we are focused on providing a digital workspace that ensures productivity no matter where employees are working. As a leader in the VDI space, Parallels® RAS (Remote Application Server) is a simple, secure solution that provides remote access to applications and desktops on any device or operating system. Parallels RAS is built on an uncomplicated architecture that enables businesses to achieve a low total cost of ownership (TCO) when embarking on remote and hybrid working. With the introduction of our latest version, Parallels RAS 19, we have extended deployment flexibility and security while keeping simplicity at the forefront.
For instance, Parallels RAS 19 improves deployment flexibility to rehost workloads into the cloud, which has become a standard business requirement as we’ve moved to the new phase of remote and hybrid work. While there’s no one-size-fits-all transition for moving an application from your data centre to the cloud, there are acknowledged core migration paths and the lift and shift approach is popular. This approach takes a step towards embracing the cloud with the mitigation of larger risks associated with refactoring and rewriting, as well as the faster delivery of services.
Taking the evil out of delivery
The improved deployment flexibility with Parallels RAS 19 extends to multi-cloud for virtual applications and desktop delivery, along with multiple application deployment methods. IT admins can now integrate, configure, maintain, support, and access Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (Amazon EC2) workloads and use the Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud as a singular or multi-cloud solution. And they can easily deploy applications and desktops running on Amazon EC2, all from the Parallels RAS Console. This is in addition to the full integration Parallels RAS also has with Microsoft Azure and Azure Virtual Desktop. This makes web-scale cloud computing easier by allowing admins to obtain and configure capacity with minimal friction. With this integration, our customers will be able to take the next steps in their digital transformation journey.
As we drill down further into Parallels RAS 19 enhancements, another important update is the Microsoft application layering technology—MSIX app attach support. This essentially modernizes app packaging and delivery for Windows apps so IT admins can dynamically deliver applications without updating the RAS template. In short, they can separate applications from their core operating system and deliver individual applications to users dynamically.
Apart from being a powerful solution that enables on-demand application delivery, it lowers footprint and infrastructure costs because fewer Operating System templates are required. Parallels RAS 19 facilitates application updates by using version tags and includes code signing certificate management required to ensure successful application delivery. And of course, the wider benefits of end users receiving apps on-demand can’t be overstated. Specific apps can be delivered to teams that need them with lightning speed whether these are across sales, marketing, customer relationship management, the executive level and so on. It enables levels of flexibility that are much needed for today’s hybrid working environments.
Seriously sophisticated security systems
Dovetailing with this is ramped-up security for the Digital Workspace. We don’t need to dwell on the threat of cyber-attacks too much given that cybersecurity is very much a board-level concern. Executives are aware of its devastating consequences such as ceasing trading of the organisation and reputational damage caused by the public disclosure
While security has always been a critically important consideration for Parallels the newest version takes it a step further. Parallels RAS 19 now includes automated certificate management. We’ve done this by aligning with Let’s Encrypt, a non-profit global certificate authority run by the Internet Security Research Group.
This alignment delivers X.509 certificates for Transport Layer Security encryption at no charge. You’re probably aware of the benefits but there’s no harm in reiterating that X.509 certificates include SSL/TLS, code signing, document signing, email signing certificates and more. It verifies the identity of a website, individual or organisation. In other words, lets users know that the person or organisation are really whom they claim to be.
Importantly it also includes asymmetric encryption which guards against man-in-the-middle attacks. Today cyber crooks are finely attuned to the opportunities that arise from remote and hybrid working. Those with sophisticated skills seek out sensitive data daily, often via man-in-the-middle attacks. Whether for personal or political gain the threat is very much real and is often a tactic in what we know today as advanced persistent threats.
Now Parallels RAS 19 equips IT leaders with governance tools that protect remote workers from this new era of cybersecurity threats and most importantly, acknowledges that the strongest defences are only as robust as the weakest link, which is human error.
This integration provides Parallels RAS customers with a streamlined and automated method to issue and renew SSL certificates through a one-time configuration. It also enforces information security requirements via the regular updating of certificates. What’s more, by using these free SSL certificates, based on Domain Validation (DV) which is trusted by most browsers, SSL certificate costs are removed.
But this isn’t all. End users can now enter their email address to quickly connect to their applications and desktops, admins can deploy multiple multi-factor authentication providers and leverage the benefits of URL redirection. This MFA can be set per different theme, and therefore per different business unit or customers in the case of service providers.
Built for BYOD
Another important development for Parallels RAS 19 is the rebuilding and optimization of the Parallels Client for machines that use Windows ARM64 processors. ARM processors offer always-on connectivity, and instant wake, and come with cellular activity without adding a premium to the cost, all of which make ARM devices ideal for BYOD. As part of the availability of other native clients, the web client provides a client-less web access for users. This allows users on a Windows ARM64 device to use a Parallels Client which is specifically available for this architecture. This is therefore the most efficient way as opposed to using emulations.
Other upgrade features include expression-based filtering and policies so IT admins can reduce complexity and provide more flexibility when creating filters and policies; power management so admins can create a time-based schedule to power on or off existing VMs which can heavily provide cost optimizations; and log-on restrictions to tighten security and embrace the right to disconnect initiative.
As cloud computing becomes increasingly important in facilitating fully functioning hybrid working, IT teams need to be aware of the cost implications. The best approach for cloud cost optimization is to employ automation at every opportunity. This saves you time and money and ensures that policies can be strictly enforced.
Working without limits
With Parallels RAS 19, you can streamline costs, refine IT management and enable cross-functional teams to manage their IT budgets while promoting faster application delivery. These new features ensure more efficient use of resources with automation capabilities and streamlined configurations, all of which reduce management burdens while also lowering consumption costs.
As remote and hybrid working gathers pace it’s essential that organisations can continue to successfully adapt to changing dynamics in the workplace. The Parallels RAS team is working hard to ensure that remote and hybrid professionals can effortlessly adapt and work without limitations.
