Gone is the time when people expected to use programs and data only while seated at terminals attached to the computer which hosted the programs. Remote access has gone from rare and for a privileged few to widely necessary and readily available. Due in part to remote and mobile technology but also undeniably to the global pandemic, more and more workers have been freed from ties to their local offices, increasing (if not creating) the expectation that corporate information and applications should be accessible at any time, from any device anywhere in the world.
Rewriting Applications to Publish them to the Web
One way to do this has been to re-write existing applications in new languages. Sadly, for many applications and programs, as well as the systems used to run them, this process can generate compatibility problems, especially when older and legacy software comes into play. With lessened performance by Windows applications when they are accessed remotely, people have been forced towards expensive and often expert-reliant remote access solutions like Microsoft RDS, Citrix and TeamViewer.
Is Re-writing the Best Solution to Publish Windows Apps to the Web?
With most businesses reducing overhead due to the economic context, IT set-ups and teams are under scrutiny like any other. Such a time-consuming task as re-writing programs to base them online is bound to cast a shadow on even the most efficient IT department. That leaves them needing ways to derive additional value from their existing Windows applications and other investments. Few avoid the current drive to lower cost of ownership and increase return on investment while still providing cost-effective, responsive access to these applications by an increasingly mobile and widely distributed user base.
Rewriting Apps to Publish them to the Web - A Problem that Extends to ISVs
Likewise, Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have invested heavily in traditional Windows applications and have a pressing need for them to be available online in order to remain competitive, to expand their markets and to generate additional revenue in spite of the current market conditions. Economic and staffing pressures mean that ISVs cannot afford the time and money necessary to reengineer their applications to create native Web-based solutions.
Common Challenges when Redeveloping Windows Applications to Publish them Online
Re-developing an application for the Web also causes a whole new learning curve for users, which effectively generates double overall cost in time and money. Since many companies have a variety of applications, often in a Windows environment, for such uses as payroll, billing, stock management, planning and more, this cost is multiplied. Some of these are stand-alone and installed on PCs, while others are of the client-server type, as in graphic interfaces installed on the PC and data generated by a server then sent to the client. Many companies also have server farms (these can be on-site or cloud-based) where they centralize work applications relevant to their different employees.
Windows applications, unlike Web applications, are programmed to track movements of the mouse, taps on the keyboard, slides on the touchpad, and many other input events. Windows applications are constantly active and “state-full”, as opposed to a “state-less” Web server which sits in waiting until the user sends it information with their next click. Only then does the Web server wake and respond, only to then return to its “state-less” mode. This is the reason behind this whole question of how to publish Windows applications to the Web.
Remote Desktop Software as a Cost-effective and Time-efficient Solution to Publish Windows Applications Online
A cost-effective alternative for both of these market segments is to centrally deploy their existing applications via Application Publishing or a Cloud Computing solution. With Application Publishing, mission-critical applications can be deployed, managed and supported from a centralized server and accessed by PCs and other mobile devices – without the need to rewrite the applications. In recent years, Application Publishing, Web-enablement, and Cloud Computing solutions have proven to be a reliable way to reduce the complexity and cost of enterprise computing, while increasing overall efficiency.
TSplus as the Best Solution to Web-enable Windows Applications
Though “Web-enabled” solutions may seem out of reach for SMBs, TSplus stands out from the crowd with a comprehensive set of tools to Web-enable even legacy applications, all this with no re-programming at all!
By completing an existing IT system with TSplus software, applications running on anything from Windows 7 to Server 2019 can become available on any computing device with an HTML5 enabled Web browser, either on the company network or from anywhere in the world via Internet.
This TSplus technology of Web enablement is the most economical way to roll out established applications to any remote location.
Two Options to Publish Applications to the Web
- To re-engineer each of the different Windows applications and create a native Web-based solution.
- To Web-enable the applications and publish them via a centralized, server-based solution.
A Comparison: Why Web-Enable Applications Using Remote Desktop Software rather than Re-write them?
Re-writing Applications for the Web
At first, rewriting the application for the Web may seem to be the desirable alternative – and some companies have followed this route. Rewriting the application as a Web-based solution lets the business or ISV preserve the application branding and their relationship with their end-users.
However, re-engineering an existing, stable application with an existing installed base is hardly the best solution since it can potentially introduce instability and added complexities into an otherwise stable program. Also, this time-consuming method can become a very costly undertaking – a serious problem in times of limited IT spending.
What’s more, as well as creating the need for users to be re-trained, the process could mean introducing a static front-end to the application, sacrificing the rich interactive experience users have come to expect. The greatest problem, however, remains the very long delays entailed by re-developing and re-testing what was originally an asset.
Web-enabling Applications via Remote Desktop Software
Web-enabled applications, on the other hand, require no re-writing or modification. Instead, they run on a central server and are published over the company’s network or the Internet to such remote devices as PCs, thin workstations, notebooks, terminals, wireless devices and even systems configured with minimal memory.
This makes publishing applications over the Web a reliable, fast and efficient way to reduce the cost of business IT. Other added benefits are its simplicity plus improved performance since the applications execute on the server rather than the end devices, guaranteeing best performance even for users accessing their applications over a low bandwidth connection.
Different Paths to Publish Applications to the Web
Clearly, many businesses and ISVs have decided that the speed and cost-effectiveness of Web-enabled application publishing is the way forward. Some of the biggest names in this market have paved ways to implement app publishing but many of these remain costly and complex at the best of times, creating new training needs inhouse or external intervention.
IT teams and ISVs have expressed their need for an application-centered solution that would be good value for money and could be implemented quickly and easily. TSplus software has everything needed to bridge that gap and it comes in the shape of TSplus Mobile Edition.
What TSplus Brings in Terms of Publishing Applications to the Web
Solutions such as Web Access RDS exist and that is great. Nonetheless, especially for SMBs, the added layers, their expert-led aspect, pre-requisites like CALs and their overall cost rapidly add up as hurdles to their advantages.
For over 10 years now, TSplus Web Mobile has offered simple Web enabling that performs great. Once the software is installed, what can be more straight forward than click, click, click and re-start! A mere few minutes for efficient Web access to the business’ existing Windows applications.
By default, installation of TSplus Web Mobile includes a Web server and an application delivery console that does not require CALs, sets up all basic parameters and eliminates complexity, all this whether it is installed on a PC or a server.
Improved Management and Control for IT teams and ISVs
- Enables all users to run the same version of a given application, doing away with incompatibility issues
- Keeps mission-critical information secure behind the corporate firewall
- Lets application upgrades occur simultaneously from a central location
- Enables potential software bugs and viruses to be quarantined on affected servers
- Provides very rapid time-to-market turnover
Reduced Costs and Outlays for the Company
- Eliminates re-engineering costs
- Eliminates support travel time and related expenses
- Saves creating unnecessary training requirements
- Reduces hardware requirements (memory, processor speeds, etc.) for remote desktop configurations
- Standardizes application deployment, saving money on software licenses
- Eliminates the need for CALs
User Benefits
- Get instant access to applications from any platform via HTML5
- Use Chrome, Firefox, Safari or any other browser on your remote device
- Open your Windows work environment on tablet or smartphone
- Retrieve mission-critical information from anywhere
- Work remotely and finish at the office
- Leave a zero or close to zero footprint as a client
Uncompromising security
- Meets the W3C recommendations for Web security
- SSL keys and HTTPS
- End-to-end encryption of communications
- TSplus Advanced Security as an option to guard against Cyber-attacks and restrict access by country of origin and to different users’ work hours
To Conclude: How to Publish Windows Application to the Web?
All in all, publishing applications to the Web can be done rapidly and efficiently given the right tools. For SMEs, software that Web-enables business applications can be affordable and become a springboard rather than a hindrance. With TSplus Web Mobile Edition, a company can start out accessing its applications remotely for a fraction of the price set by many competitors and make its IT set-up evolve as it changes and grows.
To discover simple, affordable and efficient application publishing by testing TSplus Web Mobile, visit our website and download a 15-day trial.
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