One of the things that could hamper business adoption of Chromebooks has to be losing comfortable access to desktop programs that many have grown used to. There are several Microsoft and Adobe applications, for example, that office workers and students alike require to be efficient.
Enter the Citrix Receiver for Chrome OS technology.
On May 25th, Rajen Sheth, Group Product Manager, Chrome for Business, blogged that the Citrix Receiver for Chromebooks, based on HTML5 standards is coming soon to the Chrome Web Store. We expect that he means this summer, although no definite date has been slated.
Basically what Google has ensured is that organizations won’t have to repurchase or rewrite existing applications when moving to Chromebooks. The Chrome browser with Citrix virtualization software will comfortably stream applications like Adobe Photoshop.
So enterprise customers will be able to use Chromebooks with the SAP, Oracle or Microsoft applications they need to get the job done.
VMware is also working with Google to build VMware View that works similar to the Citrix product. No time frame is available for that launch, but to have another choice makes the Chromebook a bit more compelling, don’t you think?
I would like to hear more about this – particular two apps: MS Excel, and Photoshop. They are two apps that are critical… and if Chromebooks can run them, then I might be a customer!
No need to wait for Citrix. There is already a solution for accessing Windows apps and/or virtual desktops from Chromebooks. Ericom AccessNow, a pure HTML5 RDP client, enables Chromebook users to connect to any RDP host, including Terminal Server (RDS Session Host), physical desktops or VDI virtual desktops – and run their applications and desktops in a browser.
This means that you can use AccessNow for instant, turnkey web-enablement of most any Windows application. Running entirely within a browser, AccessNow works natively with Chrome, Safari, Internet Explorer (with Chrome Frame plug-in), Firefox and any other browser with HTML5 and WebSockets support.
Ericom‘s AccessNow significantly reduces IT overhead in key ways:
1. It does not require Java, Flash, Silverlight, ActiveX, or any other underlying technology to be installed on end-user devices
2. IT staff do not have to manage / maintain separate product versions and updates for multiple clients (end-point operating systems) – an HTML5 browser is all that is required
For more info, and to download the beta of Ericom AccessNow please visit:
http://www.ericom.com/html5_rdp_client.asp?URL_ID=708
For a video demo:
http://www.ericom.com/AccessNow_Demo.asp?URL_ID=708
Actually, Photoshop was used in the Chromebook demo session at the I/O. Google Docs will allow you to view and edit MS Excel, and other Office documents.
Doesn’t having to access remote computers to run their software kinda defeat the purpose of cloud computing? If I drop my Chromebook in a river, I can still access everything; but if I drop my remote computer into a river, I’m toast. I am ambivalent about this “solution” (see thoughts here).
Citrix and Chromebook would be like Chocolate and Peanut butter.
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