Microsoft UC Solutions Manager at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Real User
Good remote application access that can be allowed on a per-user or per-group basis
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is the remote application access."
  • "There are problems with using Microsoft Teams within a virtual desktop on a mobile device."

What is our primary use case?

We are a solution integrator and Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is one of the products that we have been implementing for our clients. This software provides a Windows 10 desktop on a virtual machine.

It's a multi-session VDI solution that allows people to work from home. It allows users to access company resources and applications, which is important because we don't want them using their personal home networks to access corporate devices. This helps prevent problems such as the introduction of a computer virus from home to office.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the remote application access. You can update applications and assign them to different groups of users. For example, one user might require Microsoft Visio, whereas another user does not require it. Access can be granted by segmenting users into different groups.

What needs improvement?

There are problems with using Microsoft Teams within a virtual desktop on a mobile device. Specifically, if you are using Teams and conferencing, then there is no microphone capability. To be clear, if you install Teams directly on your mobile device then it will work. However, if you use it as an application within the virtual desktop that is running on the mobile device, it does not work. This is something that needs to be fixed.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with RDS for about three years.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Generally, this solution is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability-wise, it is very good. There is auto-scaling, so if there are more users required then Azure will help you to automatically manage it. In addition, it is HA, so I think that the overall scalability is pretty good.

How are customer service and support?

I have not been in contact with technical support. There is a good community of people who write about Microsoft solutions in blogs, which is helpful.

How was the initial setup?

Setting up the basic service is quite simple. It's more of managing your Windows image, such as a Windows 10 image, which probably requires some expertise. It is very fast to deploy and you can have everything ready within a day.

What about the implementation team?

The setup is quite clear and you don't need a team to do it. All of the instructions are available on the internet and because it's a Microsoft solution, there are many blogs available with the steps for you to follow.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It will probably cost about $500 USD to get the resources set up in the cloud.

What other advice do I have?

My advice to anybody who is implementing this solution is to first ensure that the network is set up properly. The applications need to be set up properly because if the applications are being used on-premises, but the virtual machines are stored in the cloud, then you will incur additional charges for accessing them.

This is a good solution, although it is still new compared to some other remote desktop services that have been out there for a very long time. It still has room for improvement such as accessing the microphone for Android remote access. Because of this, using it on an Android device may not be the best choice.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Implementation Engineer at Border Business Systems
Real User
Easy to set up, performs well, and saves us money on hardware costs
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature is performance."
  • "It could be made simpler from a management perspective."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services for small-scale virtual desktop applications. It is utilized for normal desktop usage.

How has it helped my organization?

This solution saves us time and money because running applications directly on the server means that we can use lower-priced, entry-level computers for the users.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is performance. We run all of our applications on the server and access them using this product, which is must faster than upgrading all of the desktops.

What needs improvement?

It could be made simpler from a management perspective.

It should be easier to set it up for desktop printing.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services for about five years. When we started using this product, it was called Terminal Services.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This product is quite stable and we have never had any problems with it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Given our usage, we have not had to deal with scaling this product.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I've worked with VMware Horizon and Citrix before.

VMware Horizon is easier to manage, although the Microsoft product is easier to install than other solutions.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is relatively easy. In that regard, Microsoft is easier to install than the VMware ones that I've worked with, as well as Citrix.

What about the implementation team?

We set everything up ourselves and I haven't had the need to consult anybody else for technical support.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing could always be improved.

What other advice do I have?

Overall, this product works well, it is fine for the purpose that we use it, and I recommend it.

I would rate this solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
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April 2024
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ICT Infrastructure Specialist at a university with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Very reliable and scalable, good pricing, and supports HTML5 web client
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of this solution at the moment is the HTML5 web client. You get a browser experience, not just the terminal sort of client, and the integration with Azure multi-factor application."
  • "Its look and feel could be updated. In Azure Remote Desktop Services (RDS), which is a VDI solution, we would like to see linked clones. It is a Hyper-V solution, and it doesn't support linked clones and uses a lot of storage. That's why we don't use it. VMware has a similar solution that supports linked clones for the master image."

What is our primary use case?

Our use case is two-fold. We use it for securing workplaces in our on-premise environment for remote users. We also use it for management. We manage most of our environments from a secure remote desktop in our data center. We connect through a remote desktop gateway with a two-factor application installed there.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of this solution at the moment is the HTML5 web client. You get a browser experience, not just the terminal sort of client, and the integration with Azure multi-factor application.

What needs improvement?

Its look and feel could be updated.

In Azure Remote Desktop Services (RDS), which is a VDI solution, we would like to see linked clones. It is a Hyper-V solution, and it doesn't support linked clones and uses a lot of storage. That's why we don't use it. VMware has a similar solution that supports linked clones for the master image.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for eight years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is very reliable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is very scalable. At the moment, we have around 2,000 users.

How are customer service and technical support?

We have a Premier support contract, and it works great.

How was the initial setup?

Its initial setup was straightforward. Because of COVID-19, we had to deploy workspaces for our users. It was fairly simple to deploy our RDS farm so that our users could work safely from home.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Its licensing is on a yearly basis. We're on the educational or academic license, and our terms are good. We're very happy with the pricing.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution. I would rate Microsoft Remote Desktop Services an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Network Engineer at Saudi Customs
Real User
Straightforward installation and reliable
Pros and Cons
  • "The installation is straightforward."
  • "There are times I get disconnected from the service and when one or two attempts to establish a remote connection. Microsoft should show where the problem is, I have to find it by myself."

What needs improvement?

There are times I get disconnected from the service and when one or two attempts to establish a remote connection. Microsoft should show where the problem is, I have to find it by myself.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services for approximately 20 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I have found Microsoft Remote Desktop Services to be stable.

How are customer service and support?

I have not used technical support.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution comes free with Microsoft Windows.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate Microsoft Remote Desktop Services a nine out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Tellers at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Feature-rich, integrates well between PowerPoint and Excel, and it's easy to use
Pros and Cons
  • "Everything is really good and it works well."
  • "The user interface needs improvement."

What is our primary use case?

I am using this product to do my PowerPoint presentations, keep my records, and perform my database queries.

I also use it for integration.

What is most valuable?

Everything is really good and it works well.

It has all of the features, for example, Microsoft Office, and PowerPoint. It integrates well between Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel, where you can edit the PowerPoint presentation in Excel. It's a feature of integration.

What needs improvement?

The user interface needs improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This solution is stable. It works well.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have approximately 5,000 users in our organization.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not used technical support yet.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Previously, I did not use another product. I have only used Microsoft.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was easy, I did it from scratch. 

It took 15 minutes to deploy.

We have technical people to maintain this product and we contact Microsoft whenever we need to.

What about the implementation team?

I implemented this solution myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

It's not an expensive product.

What other advice do I have?

I plan to use this product in the future. It's something that is important in my life.

Most of my friends use this product and I recommend it.

I would rate this solution a ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
ENGINEER IT at SYAC
Real User
An easily scalable solution
Pros and Cons
  • "We have scaled the solution and find this easy to do."
  • "The solution should have better security."

What is our primary use case?

We use the latest update. 

What needs improvement?

The solution should have better security. 

It is overpriced.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution lacks stability.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have scaled the solution and find this easy to do.

How are customer service and technical support?

While the Microsoft support is good, it would be nice if they would have faster response time. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is difficult and there is a lack of adequate documentation. The process should be simplified.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is overly expensive. 

What other advice do I have?

Overall, the solution is good.

I would recommend it to others.

I rate Microsoft Remote Desktop Services as a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Solution Architect at a tech services company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Beneficial central management and overall good reliability
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services are unification, central management, and accessibility."
  • "The initial setup of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is not the easiest. You need to have a certain understanding of how Microsoft is provisioning the solution to be able to set it up and use it."

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services are unification, central management, and accessibility.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Microsoft Remote Desktop Services for approximately 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is scalable if you have reasonably good hardware. Overall the reliability is good.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is scalable. You can add nodes, remove nodes, and there is load balancing embedded into the solution too.

We have approximately 30 to 50 users using this solution in my organization.

How are customer service and support?

I am in contact with support from Microsoft Remote Desktop Services approximately twice or three times a year for a particular topic. They typically have been able to resolve our issues, but it is sometimes difficult to be passed over to someone who understands the issue we are facing through the different levels of support.

I rate the support from Microsoft Remote Desktop Services a four out of five.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We are using a mixture of Remote Desktop Services and Citrix solutions. Citrix is more prevalent based on this solution category.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is not the easiest. You need to have a certain understanding of how Microsoft is provisioning the solution to be able to set it up and use it.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I rate the price of Microsoft Remote Desktop Services a three out of five.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend Microsoft Remote Desktop Services for somebody who needs to have centralized control applications, users, or the setup of applications.

I rate Microsoft Remote Desktop Services an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Director at Empaco
Real User
Fast, cost-effective, with simple and precise deployment
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features are it is fast and cost-effective."
  • "I would like to see the hard drives work without locking up and integrate the local drives in the next release."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is for accessing Visual Basic.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features are it is fast and cost-effective. I am not aware of a replacement currently on the market.

What needs improvement?

I would like to see the hard drives work without locking up and integrate the local drives in the next release.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Microsoft Remote Desktop Services for the past couple of months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

There is stability but sometimes it does disconnect.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was easy and takes usually one or two days.

What about the implementation team?

We did our implementation in-house.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I think that Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is expensive compared to Login solution.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I have used Citrix and Login solution. 

What other advice do I have?

Microsoft Remote Desktop Services is a good solution and I would rate it an eight on a scale of one to ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: April 2024
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Microsoft Remote Desktop Services Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.