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Out and About?
Many businesses still rely heavily on Windows applications developed years ago. Yet, while these tools remain essential, they were never designed for the web. Web enabling offers a practical solution, delivering applications securely through browsers without costly migrations or complex setups. In this light, is there one piece of software that many could no longer do without? We believe it has to be mobile-Web applications publishing software such as our TSplus Web Application Portal .
This article explains the concept, methods and benefits of web-enabling Windows applications, and why TSplus provides the simplest way forward.
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What Does It Mean to Web Enable an Application?
PCs have Microsoft applications for all kinds of tasks we complete, often daily. Windows and other apps exist for purposes such as organisation, email, design, payroll, word-processing, entertainment, planning and more. What about being able to use those remotely? Imagine using your usual PC or applications, but from a café, another workstation in the office, a colleague’s or friend’s home, a branch in the other hemisphere, the campsite, or… just walking down the road?
- Defining Web-Enabling in a Windows Environment
- Common Fields of Implementation
Defining Web-Enabling in a Windows Environment
To web enable an application is to make it accessible through a browser instead of requiring local installation or a full remote desktop session. The application still runs on a central server, but users interact with it through a secure web interface. This shift removes the dependency on local devices while increasing security, enabling access across operating systems and devices with nothing more than an internet connection.
Common Fields of Implementation
Industries such as healthcare, finance logistics, etc. often depend on legacy Windows applications, most likely developed with a mission-specific mindset. Due to being tailor-made, such applications therefore remain indispensable for day-to-day operations despite their age. Web enabling allows remote staff to access them securely outside the office, ensures IT teams can update and distribute them more easily, and lets organizations modernize without completely replacing legacy systems.
Why Would You Web Enable Windows Applications?
Here is the idea: how about taking all your work applications and making each of them available on any of your other devices and to appropriate staff members? Now, would you rather make copies of them, stored and run everywhere else needed? Or would you prefer a solution that uses up less time, organisation and memory? What's more, without generating CALs or the like? Read on for that and more.
- Providing Accessibility Beyond the Local Network
- Enhancing Collaboration and Remote Work
- Supporting Legacy Software with Modern Access
- Saving Time and Money
Accessibility Beyond the Local Network
The rise of remote work has changed the way businesses operate. Employees are often free from a central office or corporate network. By publishing Windows applications for browser-based access, organisations enable their staff and clients to connect securely from anywhere, at any time. This eliminates the need for VPNs or complex network setups.
Enhancing Collaboration and Remote Work
Making applications web accessible also improves teamwork. Teams can share information in real time and use the same business tools simultaneously, regardless of users’ physical location and whatever the OS, memory or power of their devices. In industries like healthcare , doctors can securely consult patient files from multiple facilities. Meanwhile, logistics managers across different sites can collaborate on the same operations platform without delay. What’s more, over HTML5 with the TSplus Web Portal, all this is possible from under any OS.
Supporting Legacy Software with Modern Access
Legacy software often cannot be replaced easily due to cost, regulatory requirements or the highly specific role it plays in business operations. Web enabling offers these applications a new lease on life by creating a modern access layer. Overall, this approach avoids expensive migrations and allows your company to continue benefiting from its existing software while improving usability.
Saving Time and Money
Imagine one administrator deploying a single application to 50 or 500 PCs dotted around a town or the country. Whether for an installation or an upgrade, same difference: if he had to go to each machine to do it, it could take weeks at best. Then, if he could do it online while still installing it onto each PC, it would take days. But, when he installs it on one PC server, then makes it available via TSplus software to those 50, 500 or more users, it takes only a matter of moments.
In fact, users could be working with an old version before a break and pick up afterwards with an upgraded version of their application. Just the cost of implementing and learning a new application, this reduced time and expense rapidly adds up to valuable savings.
What are the Benefits of Web-Enabling Windows Applications?
- Reduced IT Overhead and Maintenance
- Secure Remote Access for Distributed Teams
- Improved Productivity and User Experience
Reduced IT Overhead and Maintenance
When applications are hosted on a server and accessed through the browser, IT administrators only need to install and update on that server. Every user then connects to the latest version automatically. This centralisation drastically reduces IT workload, minimises the risk of errors, and ensures all users a consistent experience.
Secure Remote Access for Distributed Teams
Security remains one of the most important concerns in today’s connected world. Web-enabling solutions generally provide encryption, access management and even two-factor authentication. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) highlight multi-factor authentication as one of the most effective measures against unauthorized access.
By implementing such safeguards, businesses ensure that sensitive data is protected even when accessed remotely.
Improved Productivity and User Experience
Employees benefit from a smoother experience when applications can be launched directly from a browser. They face less complexity while enjoying more flexibility. The interface adapts automatically to the device in use (desktop, laptop, tablet or smartphone) providing flexibility and consistency that boost overall productivity.
What are the Standard Methods to Web Enable Windows Applications?
- Using Microsoft Native Options (RDS, Azure, RemoteApp)
- Deploying Web Portals for Seamless Access
- Leveraging Third-Party Tools for Simplicity and Cost Control
Using Microsoft Native Options (RDS, Azure, RemoteApp)
Microsoft provides several technologies to web-enable applications, including Remote Desktop Services, RemoteApp and Azure Virtual Desktop. These options are robust and integrate well with the Windows ecosystem but often involve complexity and high costs. Licensing fees, specialised setup and ongoing maintenance can create challenges for small and mid-sized businesses.
Deploying Web Portals for Seamless Access
Another popular approach is to use a web portal as the central entry point for application delivery. Through a login page, users can authenticate securely and launch their applications in the browser. Portals often come with built-in SSL encryption and access controls, creating a safe user-friendly environment.
This method has proven especially valuable in sectors such as education and finance, where a large number of users need fast and secure access to applications.
Leveraging Third-Party Tools for Simplicity and Cost Control
Third-party tools have emerged as a way to simplify the process of web enabling Windows applications. These solutions are designed to reduce complexity, offering features like HTML5 browser access and built-in security without requiring additional client installations.
They are also typically much more cost-effective compared to Microsoft’s offerings, making them attractive, not only for small and mid-sized businesses needing quick deployment and lower licensing expenses.
Why Is TSplus The Simplest Way to Web Enable Applications?
- Quick Setup Without Complex Configuration
- Key Features Designed for SMBs and Enterprises
- Why Choose TSplus Over Traditional Solutions?
Quick Setup Without Complex Configuration
TSplus Remote Access makes it possible to publish and web enable Windows applications in just a few minutes. Administrators do not need to create complicated firewall rules, purchase extra Microsoft licences, or maintain complex infrastructure. The setup process is streamlined, ensuring businesses can start delivering applications quickly.
Key Features Designed for SMBs and Enterprises
TSplus offers a universal web portal which acts as a secure entry point for users. With its HTML5 client, applications run smoothly on any device equipped with a browser, whether on Windows, macOS, Linux or mobile platforms. Security is ensured through SSL encryption , while optional two-factor authentication is available as well as TSplus Advanced Security.
For larger deployments, TSplus also includes load balancing and scalability features, ensuring the system grows alongside the organization.
Why Choose TSplus Over Traditional Solutions?
Compared to Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services or Azure Virtual Desktop, TSplus focuses on affordability and simplicity. It offers perpetual licenses as well as subscriptions, meaning each business can make the most cost-effective choice for their own situation. By combining ease of deployment with strong security and scalability, TSplus provides an ideal solution for companies looking to modernise application access without unnecessary expense.
How do I web-enable legacy Windows applications?
- Setting up TSplus Remote Access to Web-Enable Microsoft Apps
- Quick Start Guide to Publish Windows Applications to the Web
TSplus has chosen this way of making software available over the Internet for these reasons among others. Remember: our software can Web-enable even legacy applications. This proves especially useful to certain industries and specialised fields.
So, how do you get started?
Setting up TSplus Remote Access to Web-Enable Microsoft Apps
- Begin by downloading the fully featured version of TSplus Remote Access.
- You can try it for free first, benefiting from our 15-day trial. Lifetime licenses and regular subscription are available.
- Check what few restrictions on the type or set-up of the Windows server or computer exist to host our software on our basic setup page or within our online documentation.
- According to your needs, configure the software to rather give a remote user secure access to their PC from anywhere over HTML5. In that form, you can give users a seamless experience on their workstation, whether at the office or away.
- Once installed, you can open up TSplus Remote Access and work in either Lite or Expert Mode. In Lite Mode, application publishing commands and shortcuts are now on the console “Home” display. Developers at TSplus have made everything as visual, ergonomic and efficient as possible.
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Publish Windows Applications to the Web Via One Simple Console
As described before, the Lite Mode of the TSplus Remote Access console is succinct. The idea is to leave up front the essentials for a simpler user experience. The commands available in the Applications quarter of the Lite Mode window are: “Publish & Assign Applications”, “Assign users to Full Desktop” and “Assign users to Floating Panel”.
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You will also see “Assign users to …” according to what apps you publish using the software. It also lets you see some paramount information about your TSplus software licence and set-up. These include the status of your licence and how long your support runs or whether you have purchased any add-ons.
How to Web-enable Windows Applications using the TSplus Admin Console
As for Web-enabling apps, you have straight-forwards control over publishing applications for your users to access and use remotely. Two views are available in Lite mode: application-centred or user-centred.
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The button on the right lets you switch to the opposite view. In "Publish", you can Add, Edit, Remove, Assign applications and the "Users" button is visible. While in "Users", you can Select a User or Group in order to assign apps or displays. Items are tickable in this option and you can see the button reads "Publish" instead.
Then you can easily navigate back "Home" using the arrow on the top left of the console’s menu bar. For example, in the App Publishing view, the essential actions to be applied to applications (add, edit, remove, organise and assign) figure on this navigation bar. You can also double-click the panel or application icon to directly work on each of them and perform actions such as assign the application to a user or modify how they appear and add company colours.
Overall, very little technical knowledge is needed to publish applications to the Web in Lite Mode and it is very intuitive. You may prefer to use this stripped-down console. Still, switching to Expert Mode puts all of the software’s capabilities at your fingertips. The ease of switching between modes means you will actually enjoy the best of both. What's more, with either view, back and forth navigation is possible on the same basis as in an Internet browser.
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A Centralised Console to Publish Apps to Internet and Much More
The Expert Mode "Home" shows additional clickable information like your IP addresses, which version of TSplus Remote Access you are currently using and whether a newer one is available. The side menu is useful to navigate to each aspect of the software you would like to manage.
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In this mode, the app management display is near identical but for the side-menu. This makes many more commands directly accessible. You can tune in your servers and application allocations more finely, decide to create groups of users to assign apps globally to this group or that, manage user or group sessions including the timeouts and connection parameters, set Session Prelaunch, one of the software’s recent additional features, and so on.
From the console, you can also create and manage a server farm and design your Web portal so your users get a unified company experience even when logging in from afar.
How to Web-Enable Windows Applications with TSplus Remote Access - App Publication and Assignment
It may be your users are defined and you’ve chosen a Client, or you may come directly here. Anyhow, it’s time to publish apps. You can choose and assign the apps available to each user or group. In either Lite or Expert Mode, the action is as simple as clicking on the “Publish & Assign Applications” button of the "Home" display, followed by the “+ Add Application” icon on the next page. This opens a new window where you can enter the name or file path for the application or browse folders to find it manually.
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You can also give the application a display name. Rather than opening the “+ Add App” window, you can click to select one of the apps you’ve added. You can otherwise select what display is needed for specific users or apps. These display modes range from the whole desktop, via taskbar and floating panel to the sole application window and most modes can be visually modified to suit.
Those features are easily accessible in Lite or Expert Mode, yet much more is available in the Expert Mode. In both, there is a “Test” button at the bottom of any “Application” window, whether a new application or one you want to edit.
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Note that, to the person using the seamless client, TSplus Remote Access makes remote applications appear and behave as though they were local.
How to Web-Enable Windows Applications - Users, Groups and HTML5
You may have noticed that in Expert Mode, the window remains very similar to Lite Mode. The main difference is you can navigate via the Expert Mode side menu. Weave in and out of the various features developed by the TSplus team as you would on a web page.
Under the System Tools tab, you will find the user management facility where users are created. When you click Users and Groups, you can manage these whereas, in Lite Mode, you can only assign them from any given list.
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Your applications added and assigned, the last thing to do is access them remotely, whether using HTML5 over our TSplus Portal or other if you decide, even using the Wi-Fi in your offices. Your users can now click into their work application or a richer setup depending on what their profile allows, and they can do this from anywhere and on any device.
A Centralised Console to Publish Apps to Internet and Much More
- Navigating the Console and Features
- Quick Start Guide to Publish Windows Applications to the Web
Navigating the Console and Features
Expert or Lite mode
The Lite Mode of the TSplus Remote Access console is succinct. The idea is to leave up front the essentials for a simpler user experience. For example, the commands available in the Applications quarter of the Lite Mode window are: “Publish & Assign Applications”, “Assign users to Full Desktop” and “Assign users to Floating Panel”.
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The Expert Mode "Home" shows additional clickable information and is more complete. Anyhow, use the left-hand navigation menu and clickable icons to check license status and details as well as find aspects of the software you wish to manage.
image expert mode
Groups and Users assignment
This makes many more commands directly accessible. You can set your servers and application allocations more finely, create groups of users, assign apps globally to this group or that, manage user or group sessions including the timeouts and connection parameters, set Session Prelaunch, one of the software’s recent additional features, and so on.
Server farms
From the console, you can also create and manage a server farm and design your Web portal so your users get a unified company experience even when logging in from afar.
Further features
The choice is yours between mstsc.exe or a standard TSplus client, seamless or not. You may choose full desktop or single applications only. That said, since we are talking about Web-Enabling Windows applications, we shall also highlight the TSplus HTML5 client and Web Application Portal. Many users privilege the Web Portal for its security and ease of use as well as its high security.
Guidance and Advice to Publish Windows Applications to the Web with TSplus
- Quick start Guide and Documentation
- TSplus Academy
- Updates and Support Services
Quick start Guide and Documentation
All of our products have online user-guides and a Quick Start guide This is a great place to begin app publication within your new TSplus environment. For more precise guidance, refer to our online user documentation.
TSplus Academy
In case you are new to IT and application publishing or wish to hone your skills and gain TSplus accreditation, you can follow the steps of the TSplus Academy. The layered “see-try-do” build of the course and its bite-size online format appeal whether you already have experience in the field or not.
Updates and Support Services
Available features and actions include creating users or choosing the most suitable client for your company’s needs and use. The likes of keeping mstsc.exe or opting for a standard TSplus client, seamless or not. That said, since we are talking about Web-Enabling Windows applications, we shall also highlight the TSplus HTML5 client and Web Portal. Many users privilege the Web Portal for its security and ease of use as well as its high security.
On our way to publish our applications, we will see a few other choice features and tools on the Remote Access console with both Expert Mode and Lite.
Conclusion:
Web enabling Windows applications is an effective way to extend the life of legacy software, improve remote work and streamline IT operations. By making applications accessible through a browser, organizations empower their workforce with secure, modern, flexible tools. For businesses seeking a simple and scalable yet affordable approach, TSplus Remote Access stands out as one of the most effective solutions available.
Your Apps are Web-Enabled!
As you see, in a few clicks, you can either access a desktop remotely or publish any individual applications you wish to Web-enable using TSplus Remote Access. TLS encrypted, all this leaves none of your data out in the “wild” that is Internet. No training is necessary to get up and running with this toolkit, though. While the software puts a wealth of features at your fingertips, there is no need to tap into unless you want to, making this a tool both accessible and simple as well as rich and versatile.
So why wait any longer to test or buy? TSplus Remote Access and Web Application Portal is available now.
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