Microsoft plans to drop its Azure RemoteApp service over the next year, instead partnering with Citrix to develop new solutions for allowing remote access to Windows apps from a variety of devices.
Azure RemoteApp has given businesses the ability to deploy apps from the cloud to employees who are using PC and mobile devices running Windows, Mac OSX, iOS or Android.
Microsoft says its partnership with Citrix represents the next generation of such services, which it’s calling XenApp express:
“Customers have provided us consistent feedback that they want a comprehensive, end-to-end, cloud-based solution for delivering Windows apps. The best way for us to deliver this is with Citrix through XenApp “express”, currently under development. XenApp “express” combines the simplicity of application remoting and the scalability of Azure with the security, management, and performance benefits of XenApp, to deliver Windows applications to any employee on any device.”
Microsoft will continue to sell Azure RemoteApp through September 2016, but all support for the service will end September 1, 2017. Meanwhile, Citrix will release a technical preview of XenApp express in Q4 of this year, with a general release set for early 2017, according to the company’s website.
The two companies will provide more details on XenApp express at a live virtual event on August 23. Click here to register.