I'm looking to modernize a Windows native software solution that includes a desktop app, a Windows service, and a local database service. This software operates in around 2000 locations around the globe, and my plan is to virtualize it, ultimately phasing out the physical PCs at these end sites. Ideally, users would log into my existing portal, authenticate (I already have that backend in place), and then access the app through a web browser or via RemoteApp. The usage pattern is somewhat light since users typically need the app for only about an hour each day, while the services need to run continuously. Security doesn't have to be extremely tight, as I'm using my own authentication backend with 2FA and standard SSL. I'm figuring out how best to virtualize the desktop app because the database will be centralized on a robust server, and the Windows service will be containerized on Windows Server or a cluster. The desktop app has several virtualization options, such as AVD, Guacamole, or AWS AppStream, but I'm not fond of Azure's restrictions or their licensing models. I'm aiming for a cost-effective solution here.
3 Answers
The ideal approach would probably be to rewrite the app with a web-based UI, allowing remote access via browsers. This could end up being less effort and improve performance compared to setting up a complex remote app system. Also, if you hire a developer for this task, it might be cheaper than maintaining a global remote app setup for all 2000 users!
You might want to look into Thincast RD WebServices; it lets you distribute your pre-configured remote resources and access them through a web browser. It seems like a straightforward option that could suit your needs! Check it out [here](https://thincast.com/en/resources/rdws).
Have you considered building a web app? Deploy it to the cloud and create a backend to handle the database service. It could streamline the process and reduce overhead in the long run!
Totally agree! It makes more sense to invest in a modern solution rather than a temporary fix.