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Secure Remote Desktop for MSPs: Scale Revenue & Security with Thinfinity® Workspace

 

Introduction

Managed service providers (MSPs) are staring at a perfect storm of opportunity: the remote‑desktop software market will more than double from $2.75 billion in 2024 to $6.13 billion by 2029 (18.3 % CAGR). Clients need friction‑free access for hybrid workforces, but they also demand airtight protection against the surge in RDP and VNC attacks. Delivering a secure remote desktop service has become the fastest path to new monthly recurring revenue—if you have the right platform. Thinfinity Workspace gives MSPs that edge with built‑in Zero Trust, clientless HTML5 delivery, and multitenant management.

MSPs Opportunity in Secure Remote Desktop: Market Growth, Client Needs, Security, Thinfinity Workspace.

Why “Secure Remote Desktop” Is Mission‑Critical for MSPs

  • Exploding demand: Hybrid work makes secure, always‑on access a priority budget line for SMBs.
  • Attack surface chaos: VNC generated 98 % of traffic on remote‑desktop ports in 2023, with RDP exploits close behind—legacy VPN tunnels can’t keep pace.
  • High‑margin services: Clients will pay for managed security; MSPs that solve the problem first earn stickier contracts and higher ARPU.

Challenges in Secure Remote Desktop for MSPs: Market Demand, Attack Surface, Legacy VPNs, Service Opportunities.

Thinfinity Workspace: The Purpose‑Built Secure Remote Desktop Platform

1. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) from Day One

Thinfinity Workspace enforces “never trust, always verify” for every session—no external add‑ons required. Granular policies authenticate and authorize each user, device, and context before a connection is allowed.


Building a True Zero Trust Architecture with Thinfinity® Workspace

Learn more →

2. Reverse Gateway + Clientless HTML5 Access

RDP, VNC, and SSH sessions travel through a reverse gateway in an SSL/TLS tunnel, so you never open inbound ports on customer firewalls. End users launch desktops or RemoteApps from any modern browser—no client installs, no version drift, fewer tickets.

Thinfinity Workspace features →

3. Hybrid & Multicloud Console for MSP Efficiency

Manage on‑prem clusters and any major public cloud—Azure, AWS, OCI, or GCP—from one secure dashboard. Spin up, brand, update, and monitor unlimited customer tenants while built‑in load balancing and autoscaling keep performance steady and costs predictable.

4. Native Cloud Integrations & Automated Provisioning

Thinfinity Workspace ships with out‑of‑the‑box APIs and Terraform modules that hook directly into your clients’ cloud accounts. Automate VM creation, gateway deployment, scaling policies, and identity bindings so new secure‑remote‑desktop environments come online in minutes—not days.

5. Seamless Identity Integration

Plug into Active Directory, Azure AD, Okta, or any SAML/OAuth provider to deliver single sign‑on and MFA that satisfy even the strictest audit teams. 

6. Cost‑Efficient Citrix & VPN Alternative

Thinfinity Workspace packages remote application delivery, VDI, and secure gateway functions in one license—no complex editions or third‑party brokers—making it an easy upsell against Citrix or legacy VPN solutions.

Learn more →

Enhancing Remote Desktop Security: Zero Trust, Identity, Secure Gateway, Automation, Hybrid Cloud.

Implementation Blueprint for MSPs

PhaseWhat You DoOutcome
1. Select Your Deployment ModelChoose Fully‑Hosted Cloud (Azure, AWS, OCI) for zero infrastructure, or On‑Prem/Hybrid if clients need local data residency. Thinfinity brokers and gateways are containerized, so switching models later is drag‑and‑drop simple.Right‑sized costs, compliance alignment, and faster time‑to‑value for every client.
2. Trial & SandboxActivate your 15‑day MSP trial, spin up a dedicated tenant, and import a pilot client (10–25 users). Leverage Thinfinity’s “one‑click” reverse gateway to avoid opening inbound ports.Hardware‑free proof‑of‑concept that showcases secure remote desktop performance and Zero Trust workflow.
3. Policy Templating & AutomationCreate global templates for MFA, ZTNA zones, and micro‑segmentation. Tag them to security profiles (e.g., Finance, Dev, Guest) and set them to auto‑inherit when you add new tenants.Consistent, audit‑ready security with near‑zero manual effort—every client starts compliant.
4. Partner Program OnboardingEnroll in the Thinfinity MSP Partner Program (Silver, Gold, Platinum). Gain co‑branding assets, deal‑registration protection, and tier‑based margin boosts.Marketing muscle and higher ARPU, plus priority roadmap input as you climb tiers.
5. Go‑Live & UpsellPublish branded HTML5 portals, enable real‑time usage analytics in the multitenant console, and bundle add‑ons—backup, DRaaS, SOC monitoring—into premium plans.New high‑margin recurring revenue and a “single pane” view that slashes support tickets by up to 40 %.
6. Continuous Co‑Sell & SupportTap Thinfinity’s technical SE team for pre‑sales demos, architecture reviews, and POC guidance; lean on the channel desk for joint campaigns and MDF funds.Faster deal cycles, expert coverage on every opportunity, and happier, stickier customers.

Quick Tip: Whether you deploy fully hosted or on‑prem, every tenant lives in its own micro‑segmented enclave—so scaling from one SMB to a hundred never compromises security or performance.

Thinfinity Workspace Features: Security, Fast Onboarding, Identity, Multi-Cloud, MSP Trial.

 

About Cybele Software Inc.
We help organizations extend the life and value of their software. Whether they are looking to improve and empower remote work or turn their business-critical legacy apps into modern SaaS, our software enables customers to focus on what’s most important: expanding and evolving their business.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Navigating AVD: Limitations, Nerdio Costs & Cost-Effective Alternatives

Introduction

Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) has revolutionized remote work by delivering scalable, cloud-native Windows desktops on demand. Yet, beneath its promise of flexibility lies a web of AVD limitations—from unpredictable bills to complex administration—and a reliance on third-party tools like Nerdio, which adds $10–12 per user/month on top of base Azure costs. For organizations seeking simpler, more predictable virtual desktop solutions, understanding these hidden challenges is critical. In this guide, we’ll dissect AVD’s cost drivers and management overhead, quantify the Nerdio fee, and show why Thinfinity Workspace stands out as the cost-effective alternative to AVD + Nerdio. Whether you’re an IT leader in a large enterprise or managing desktops for an SMB, this article arms you with actionable insights and comparisons to make the best choice for your virtualization strategy.

Understanding AVD: Features and Benefits

What Is Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD)?

Azure Virtual Desktop is Microsoft’s Desktop as a Service (DaaS) platform that delivers Windows 10/11 desktops and applications via Azure. Unlike traditional on-premises VDI, AVD shifts the infrastructure burden to Microsoft’s control plane, offering:

  • Multi-session efficiency: Run multiple user sessions per VM.
  • Elastic scaling: Spin up or down session hosts on demand.
  • Deep Azure integration: Seamless identity with Azure AD and Microsoft 365.

Key Benefits of AVD

  1. Cost-per-use Flexibility – Pay only for VM compute, storage, and networking you consume.
  2. Managed Control Plane – Microsoft maintains brokers, gateways, and load balancers.
  3. Enhanced Security – Leverage Azure’s security standards, conditional access, and MFA.
  4. Global Footprint – Deploy desktops in any Azure region for low latency worldwide.

Uncovering AVD Limitations

Despite its innovations, AVD is not a silver bullet. Let’s explore common AVD limitations that organizations encounter.cga

Cost Challenges of AVD

  • Pay-as-You-Go Complexity
    Every session host VM incurs compute charges by the second, plus disk and egress fees. Without precise autoscaling, even idle VMs can drive bills up 30–50%.
  • Hidden Licensing Overhead
    Eligible users need Microsoft 365 E3/E5 or Windows E3/E5 entitlements. SMBs often find themselves upgrading licenses unexpectedly to unlock AVD rights.
  • Reactive Cost Tools
    Azure Cost Management reports historic spend but lacks proactive alerts. Forecasting future bills requires external scripts or add-ons.

Administrative Overhead in AVD

  • Complex Deployment
     Setting up AVD requires configuring host pools, domain join (Azure AD or on-prem AD), FSLogix profile shares, and virtual networks—demanding specialized Azure expertise.
  • Inefficient Image Management
     AVD lacks built-in image rollout pipelines (no instant clones or provisioning services). Administrators must build custom scripts or use general Azure Image Builder.
  • Limited Monitoring & Helpdesk
    Native monitoring (via Azure Monitor) can lag 15–20 minutes. Helpdesk staff miss real-time session insights and session recording found in Citrix Director or Thinfinity workspace without third-party tools.

The Need for Third-Party Tools Like Nerdio

To bridge these gaps, organizations often adopt Nerdio Manager for AVD, which provides:

  • A unified GUI for host pool and image management.
  • Prebuilt autoscaling rules to shut down idle VMs.
  • Real-time monitoring dashboards and delegated administration.

However, these features come at a price: $12 per user/month for the MSP edition or an effective $10 per user/month with enterprise licensing, significantly impacting the total cost of AVD deployments.

Evaluating Nerdio: Enhancing AVD Management at a Price

What Is Nerdio Manager?

Nerdio Manager is a SaaS management layer that simplifies AVD operations. It streamlines provisioning, autoscaling, image optimization, and user session management via an intuitive web console.

Nerdio Pricing and Cost per User

EditionPricing ModelCost per User/Month
Nerdio for MSP$12 /user mo (billed monthly)$12
Nerdio for Enterprise$1,000 /mo covers 100 users (min.)$10

Adding Nerdio effectively doubles or triples your per-user spend on top of base Azure costs, making AVD less appealing as a pure cost-effective alternative to AVD + Nerdio.

Benefits and Trade-Offs of Using Nerdio

Pros:

  • Significant time savings for IT teams.
  • Predictable rule-based autoscaling and rightsizing.
  • One-click image deployment and app publishing.

Cons:

  • Additional licensing overhead.
  • Vendor lock-in to a specific management tool.
  • Slight learning curve for Nerdio’s own interface

AVD Alternative: Why Thinfinity Workspace Stands Out

When balancing cost, complexity, and features, Thinfinity Workspace emerges as a superior AVD Alternative.

Cost-Effective Alternative to AVD + Nerdio

  • No Add-On Management Fee: All autoscaling, image management, and helpdesk capabilities are included in your Thinfinity subscription.
  • Flexible Licensing Models: Choose per-user, per-concurrent, or hourly billing—no surprise overages.
  • Lower TCO: Customers report up to 40% savings compared to AVD + Nerdio deployments.

Simplified Administration and Scalability

  • All-in-One Web Console: Provision and manage desktops, apps, and user sessions without scripting or multiple portals.
  • Built-In Autoscaling: Native support for scaling resources up or down based on schedules or load.
  • Hybrid & Multi-Cloud: Deploy on-premises, private cloud, or any public cloud; avoid being locked into Azure alone.

Built-In Zero Trust and Security Features

  • Native ZTNA Gateway: Secure access without VPN complexity.
  • Integrated MFA and RBAC: Granular policies enforced at the gateway level.
  • Auditing & Compliance: Detailed session logs and reporting to meet HIPAA, SOC 2, and GDPR requirements.

Avoid Vendor Lock-In with Multi-Cloud Flexibility

  • Consistent Workflows Everywhere: Thinfinity Workspace lets you use the same provisioning templates, auto-scale rules, and management console on Azure, AWS, Google Cloud, on-premises or any hybrid mix—so your team never has to learn new tools or processes when you move workloads.
  • True Cloud Agnosticism: Unlike AVD, which ties you to Azure services and regions, Thinfinity deploys identically on any cloud or on-prem hardware, giving you total freedom to chase the best price, performance, or compliance requirements.
  • Seamless Burst & DR Across Clouds: Spin up capacity in a secondary cloud for peak demand or disaster recovery with just a few clicks—no complex network re-architecture or “lift and shift” required.
  • Single Pane of Glass Control: Manage all your environments—Azure, AWS, private datacenter—through one unified dashboard, ensuring consistent security policies, user access controls, and audit logs without vendor-specific lock-ins

Comparative Analysis: AVD vs. Nerdio vs. Thinfinity Workspace

Cost Comparison

ComponentAVD OnlyAVD + NerdioThinfinity Workspace
LicensingIncluded in M365Included + $10–12Subscription (no add-ons)
VM Compute & StoragePay-as-you-goPay-as-you-goPay-as-you-go or fixed
Management ToolsCustom scriptsNerdio licenseIncluded
Total Effective CostModerate-HighHighModerate-Low

Management Experience

  • AVD Only: CLI and PowerShell heavy; fragmented portals.
  • AVD + Nerdio: Unified management but extra vendor to contract.
  • Thinfinity Workspace: Single-pane admin; minimal Azure expertise required.

Security and Compliance

All three solutions can meet enterprise security requirements. Thinfinity’s integrated ZTNA, however, reduces architectural complexity by consolidating gateway, MFA, and RBAC in one platform.

Actionable Tips for Optimizing Your Virtual Desktop Strategy

Cost Optimization Techniques

  1. Right-Size VM SKUs: Match VM families (e.g., B-series burstable) to user profiles.
  2. Scheduled Autoscaling: Ensure unused hosts shut down outside business hours.
  3. Leverage Reserved Instances: Commit to 1- or 3-year Azure savings plans for base capacity.

Streamlining Administration

  1. Adopt Infrastructure as Code: Use ARM templates or Terraform for consistent deployments.
  2. Centralize Monitoring: Integrate logs and metrics into a unified dashboard (e.g., Azure Monitor or Splunk).
  3. Delegate Admin Roles: Use role-based access to distribute management tasks without over-privileging.

Selecting the Right Solution for Your Organization

  • Enterprise and Mid-Market teams often find Thinfinity Workspace’s simplicity and flat-rate model ideal.
  • SMBs should prioritize predictable costs and minimal overhead—favoring turnkey DaaS offerings like Thinfinity or Windows 365 Cloud PC.

Conclusion

When evaluating virtual desktop solutions, the limitations of Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) quickly surface. While AVD boasts deep Azure integration and on-demand scaling, its variable consumption billing, fragmented management interfaces, and steep learning curve force many organizations to layer on Nerdio Manager—adding $10–12 per user/month on top of your Azure spend. This combination drives up your total cost of ownership, locks you into Azure’s ecosystem, and consumes precious IT hours in scripting, autoscaling rules, and custom dashboards.

By contrast, Thinfinity Workspace stands out as the truly cost-effective alternative to AVD + Nerdio. With built-in autoscaling, you avoid idle-VM charges; its Zero Trust gateway secures access without extra appliances; and a unified web console manages desktops, apps, and user sessions—across Azure, AWS, private datacenters, or any hybrid mix—without per-user management fees. Whether you’re a global enterprise seeking predictable multi-cloud workflows, a mid-market team needing simplified administration, or an SMB demanding transparent pricing, Thinfinity Workspace delivers:

  • Predictable, flat-rate licensing instead of surprise overages.
  • Turnkey security and compliance features, no add-ons required.
  • True cloud-agnostic freedom, avoiding vendor lock-in.

In short, if AVD’s hidden costs and reliance on third-party tooling are holding your organization back, Thinfinity Workspace provides a seamless, affordable, and scalable path forward—so you can focus on productivity, not platform plumbing.

Ready to optimize your virtual desktop strategy? Share your experiences or questions in the comments below!

About Cybele Software Inc.
We help organizations extend the life and value of their software. Whether they are looking to improve and empower remote work or turn their business-critical legacy apps into modern SaaS, our software enables customers to focus on what’s most important: expanding and evolving their business.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Clientless Remote Desktop with Browser-Based RDP

Key Findings

  • Up to 60% of remote-access help-desk tickets stem from native RDP or VDI client issues—install failures, update conflicts, compatibility errors.
  • Clientless Remote Desktop via browser can eliminate these categories entirely, driving 40–50% TCO reduction in endpoint support and management.
  • Browser-based RDP aligns with Zero Trust (ZTNA) principles, reducing the attack surface on user devices by 100% client-side footprint.
 
 
Clientless remote desktop via browser reduces help-desk tickets related to client issues by up to 60% and can drive a 40-50% TCO reduction in endpoint support, aligning with Zero Trust security.

 

The Hidden Costs of Native Clients

Enterprises traditionally deploy RDP, Citrix Workspace App, or Horizon Client on every endpoint. This causes:

1. High IT Overhead

  • Packaging, deployment, testing, and patch-validation consume hundreds of IT hours per quarter.
  • Frequent OS updates (especially macOS annual releases) trigger rushed testing cycles and unplanned help-desk spikes.

2. Escalating Support Tickets

  • Up to 30–60% of “remote-access” tickets relate directly to client-side failures.
  • Fragmentation on Android devices and registry-sensitive Windows installs further multiply ticket volume.

3. Security & Compliance Risks

  • Delayed client-patch rollouts increase vulnerability windows.
  • Inconsistent endpoint configurations undermine centralized policy enforcement and auditability.
The hidden costs of deploying native remote access clients like RDP and Citrix, including high IT overhead, escalating support tickets, and security and compliance risks.

Why Clientless (Browser-Based) RDP Changes the Game

By shifting to a clientless model, Thinfinity® Workspace transforms remote access management:

1. Zero-Installation, Zero-Update

  • No endpoint software—users simply open a secure URL in any browser (Chrome, Edge, Safari).
  • Centralized updates—all patches and new features deploy server-side. Users always run the latest, fully tested build.

2. Centralized, Server-Side Control

  • Single console for access policies, MFA enforcement, and session controls.
  • Unified monitoring of user activity and real-time auditing—critical for DevSecOps workflows and compliance mandates (SOC 2, HIPAA).

3. Consistent User Experience

  • Device-agnostic access on Windows, macOS, Linux, iPad, Android—without installing a client.
  • BYOD-friendly: secure, browser-only sessions that leave no persistent footprint on personal devices.
Clientless browser-based RDP with Thinfinity Workspace offers zero installation and updates, centralized server-side control, and a consistent user experience across devices.

 

Quantifiable Benefits

MetricTraditional ClientsClientless Browser RDPImprovement
Remote-access ticket volume30–60% of tickets<10%≥ 50% reduction
Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR)4–6 hours<2 hours≥ 60% faster
First Contact Resolution (FCR) Rate45–55%70–80%+25–35 points
Endpoint management labor (FTE days/yr)120+3075% reduction

Expert Insight: Gartner identifies browser-based remote access as a “high-value enabler” for hybrid work models, citing a typical ROI payback in 6–9 months.

Implementation Best Practices

1. Integrate into Your ZTNA Architecture

  • Leverage Thinfinity’s microsegmentation to grant least-privilege access to specific apps or desktops.
  • Enforce MFA via your existing IdP (Azure AD, Okta, Ping)—no client-side agents needed.

2. Automate with REST APIs

  • Provision or revoke user access programmatically as part of HR or ITSM workflows.
  • Ingest session logs into your SIEM for real-time alerting and compliance reporting.

3. Validate Performance & Features

  • Test multi-monitor support, high-resolution scaling, audio/video, and USB redirection—all natively handled in-browser.
  • Ensure network bandwidth and firewall rules permit secure HTTPS access to Thinfinity servers.
Gartner identifies browser-based remote access as a high-value enabler for hybrid work with a typical ROI of 6-9 months, alongside implementation best practices for ZTNA integration, automation, and performance validation.

Next Steps for CIOs and CISOs

If you’re still wrestling with complex client lifecycles, mounting help-desk costs, or compliance headaches, it’s time to:

  1. Evaluate a live demo of Thinfinity Workspace’s browser-only RDP.
  2. Run a pilot with a representative user group—measure ticket reduction and user satisfaction.
  3. Develop a migration plan to phase out native clients and centralize management under a Zero Trust framework.

Ready to eliminate endpoint client chaos?
 Schedule your demo or start a free trial of Thinfinity Workspace today and discover how clientless remote desktop delivers secure, cost-efficient, ZTNA-aligned access.

About Cybele Software Inc.
We help organizations extend the life and value of their software. Whether they are looking to improve and empower remote work or turn their business-critical legacy apps into modern SaaS, our software enables customers to focus on what’s most important: expanding and evolving their business.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Beyond AppStream 2.0: Thinfinity® – Secure, Cost-Effective Application Delivery on Your AWS EC2

 

Introduction

The rise of remote and hybrid work has fundamentally changed how organizations deliver applications. Secure, reliable, and cost-effective access is no longer optional. Amazon AppStream 2.0 has become a popular choice, offering managed application streaming within the AWS ecosystem. However, for organizations heavily invested in managing their own AWS EC2 infrastructure, AppStream 2.0’s managed nature, complex pricing (including mandatory Windows user fees), and lack of direct EC2 control can be restrictive and costly.

If you’re finding AppStream 2.0 inflexible or expensive for your EC2-centric environment, it’s time to explore alternatives. Thinfinity Workspace, coupled with Thinfinity Cloud Manager, presents a compelling solution designed specifically to leverage your existing EC2 investments while offering enhanced control, significant cost savings potential, a robust Zero Trust security posture, and multi-cloud flexibility.

Thinfinity Workspace offers secure and cost-effective application delivery on AWS EC2, presenting an alternative to Amazon AppStream 2.0 for organizations seeking greater control and cost savings.

 

The Challenge: AppStream 2.0 Constraints for EC2 Users

While AppStream 2.0 simplifies some aspects by managing the underlying infrastructure, this abstraction creates challenges for organizations proficient with EC2:

  1. Complex & Potentially High Costs:  AppStream’s cost involves more than just the compute time. The service layers specific AWS fees on top, such as charges for stopped On-Demand instances awaiting users and costs for Image Builder usage. While the exact percentage of this AWS-specific overhead compared to running directly on EC2 varies significantly depending on your configuration and usage patterns, these additional charges can represent a notable portion of the total AWS bill, particularly in scenarios with frequent image updates or significant idle time for On-Demand fleets. This contrasts with deploying directly on EC2, where you avoid these AppStream-specific fees and have more direct control over resource cost optimization.
  2. Limited Infrastructure Control: As a fully managed service, you have limited direct control over the underlying OS, patching, and configuration, hindering fine-tuning and integration with existing management tools.
  3. EC2 Inefficiency: AppStream 2.0 requires its own managed instance fleets. You cannot directly apply your existing EC2 optimizations (like Reserved Instances, Savings Plans, Spot Instances) or leverage your team’s EC2 management expertise on AppStream fleets, leading to potential duplication of costs and effort.
  4. AWS Lock-in: Deep integration with AWS services makes transitioning to multi-cloud or hybrid environments more complex.
  5. Management Complexity: Effective configuration requires significant AWS-specific knowledge (VPC, IAM, Fleets, etc.).
 
Limitations of Amazon AppStream 2.0 for EC2 users, including complex and potentially high costs, limited infrastructure control, EC2 inefficiency, AWS lock-in, and management complexity.

 

Introducing Thinfinity: Application Delivery on Your Terms

Thinfinity takes a different approach, empowering organizations to deliver applications securely from infrastructure they manage, including their existing AWS EC2 instances.

Thinfinity Workspace: Secure, Clientless Access

  • Browser-Based Delivery: Provides access to Windows apps (RemoteApp), full desktops (RDP/VNC), SSH sessions, internal web apps, and file shares directly through any standard HTML5 browser.
  • 100% Clientless: No plugins, extensions, or client software needed on end-user devices, simplifying deployment and BYOD.
  • Zero Trust Security: Built on a reverse web gateway model. Agents on your EC2 instances initiate outbound connections to a central gateway. Users connect only to the gateway (HTTPS/443). This eliminates open inbound ports (like RDP 3389), drastically reducing the attack surface.
  • Comprehensive Security Features: Integrates native MFA, extensive IdP support (SAML 2.0, OAuth 2.0 for Azure AD/Entra ID, Okta, etc.), granular RBAC, end-to-end TLS 1.3 encryption, and detailed audit logging.
Thinfinity delivers applications securely from managed infrastructure like AWS EC2, offering clientless access through a browser with Zero Trust security.

 

Thinfinity Cloud Manager: Orchestrating & Optimizing Your EC2 Infrastructure

Specifically designed to complement Workspace, Cloud Manager simplifies managing the EC2 (or other cloud/hypervisor) infrastructure for application delivery:

  • Purpose-Built for EC2: Directly manages the lifecycle of EC2 instances used for Thinfinity deployments.
  • Infrastructure as Code (IaC) Simplified: Integrates with Terraform via pre-built templates and an abstraction layer, enabling automated, consistent EC2 deployments without deep Terraform expertise.
  • Intelligent Autoscaling: Dynamically adjusts the number of active EC2 instances based on user sessions or resource utilization, ensuring performance while minimizing costs.
  • Power Scheduling: Automatically starts/stops EC2 instances based on time schedules (e.g., nights, weekends), directly reducing compute costs.
  • Smart VM Pooling: Offers ‘Depth-First’ pooling to consolidate users onto fewer instances, maximizing utilization and cost-efficiency with autoscaling.
  • Leverage EC2 Economics: Allows you to potentially combine its automation with AWS purchasing options like RIs, Savings Plans, and possibly Spot Instances for maximum TCO reduction.
 
Thinfinity Cloud Manager simplifies the orchestration and optimization of EC2 infrastructure for application delivery, including autoscaling and cost management.

 

Thinfinity vs. AppStream 2.0: Key Advantages on EC2

For EC2-centric organizations, the Thinfinity suite offers significant advantages over AppStream 2.0:

FeatureAmazon AppStream 2.0Thinfinity Workspace + Cloud Manager
Core InfrastructureManaged AWS Service (Abstracted Fleets)User-Managed (Your EC2 Instances, other VMs)
EC2 IntegrationIndirect; Runs on AWS, but limited leverage of your EC2Native Deployment & Orchestration directly on your optimized EC2
Cost OptimizationAWS Fleet Types/Scaling; AWS Cost ToolsCloud Manager (Autoscaling, Scheduling, Pooling on your EC2) + Native EC2 options
Security ModelAWS Ecosystem Reliance (IAM, VPC, SG)Native Zero Trust Architecture (Reverse Gateway, Clientless)
DeploymentAWS OnlyMulti-Cloud including AWS, Azure, GCP, and Oracle Cloud, Hybrid, On-Premises
ManagementRequires Deep AWS Service ExpertiseRequires OS/VM skills + Thinfinity config; Simplified EC2 via Cloud Manager

In essence:

  • Lower & Predictable TCO: Avoid the mandatory AppStream RDS SAL user fees. Leverage your existing EC2 purchasing strategies (RIs, Savings Plans) and optimize usage directly with Cloud Manager’s autoscaling and scheduling.
  • Regain Control: Manage the underlying EC2 instances, OS, patching, and security hardening according to your standards.
  • Enhanced Security: Implement an intrinsic Zero Trust model with the reverse gateway, reducing your network attack surface without complex firewall rules.
  • Ultimate Flexibility: Deploy on AWS EC2, other clouds, or on-premises. Avoid vendor lock-in and align with your hybrid/multi-cloud strategy.
  • Simplified EC2 Management: Cloud Manager provides tailored automation for application delivery workloads on EC2, bridging the gap between raw EC2 flexibility and managed service simplicity.
Thinfinity offers lower TCO by avoiding AppStream fees, provides greater control over EC2, enhances security with Zero Trust, and offers ultimate deployment flexibility.

Best Practices for Thinfinity on AWS EC2

To maximize benefits, follow these best practices:

  1. Plan Architecture: Integrate Thinfinity components (Gateway, Broker, Agents) within your existing VPCs and subnets. Choose appropriate EC2 instance types based on workload. Use IAM roles with least privilege for Cloud Manager integration.
  2. Configure Cloud Manager: Define smart autoscaling policies based on sessions or utilization. Implement power schedules for non-24/7 workloads. Choose the optimal pooling strategy (Depth-First often best for cost).
  3. Layer Security: Combine Thinfinity’s Zero Trust features (reverse gateway, MFA, RBAC, IdP integration) with AWS security services (Security Groups restricting traffic, AWS WAF in front of the Gateway, CloudTrail/CloudWatch monitoring, AWS Systems Manager for patching, Inspector for vulnerability scanning, KMS for EBS encryption).
  4. Monitor & Log: Centralize Thinfinity logs and AWS logs (CloudTrail, VPC Flow Logs) into your SIEM for comprehensive visibility.
Best practices for deploying Thinfinity on AWS EC2, including architecture planning, Cloud Manager configuration, layered security, and monitoring.

 

Conclusion: Take Control of Application Delivery on EC2

Amazon AppStream 2.0 is a capable service, but its managed nature, complex cost structure, and AWS exclusivity can be significant drawbacks for organizations deeply invested in AWS EC2.

Thinfinity Workspace and Thinfinity Cloud Manager offer a powerful, strategic alternative. By enabling secure, clientless application delivery directly from your managed EC2 infrastructure, Thinfinity provides a path to:

  • Significant TCO reduction by eliminating user fees and leveraging optimized EC2 resources.
  • Full infrastructure control aligning with your operational expertise.
  • A robust, built-in Zero Trust security posture.
  • Deployment flexibility across multi-cloud and hybrid environments.
  • Simplified EC2 orchestration tailored for application delivery via Cloud Manager.

If you’re seeking greater control, predictable costs, enhanced security, and flexibility for your application delivery on AWS EC2, it’s time to evaluate Thinfinity.

Recommendation: Conduct a Proof of Concept (PoC) using Thinfinity’s free trial. Perform a detailed TCO analysis comparing Thinfinity on optimized EC2 (including license costs) against your projected AppStream 2.0 spend (including all fees). Assess how Thinfinity’s Zero Trust model and Cloud Manager’s automation fit your operational and security requirements.

Take the step beyond AppStream 2.0 and unlock the full potential of your AWS EC2 investment for secure and efficient application delivery with Thinfinity.

 

About Cybele Software Inc.
We help organizations extend the life and value of their software. Whether they are looking to improve and empower remote work or turn their business-critical legacy apps into modern SaaS, our software enables customers to focus on what’s most important: expanding and evolving their business.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Secure Remote Desktop in 2025: 5 Strategic Priorities for Zero Trust and Hybrid VDI Success

 

Executive Summary

Enterprises are rethinking how remote desktop access is delivered. With hybrid work, increasing endpoint diversity, and regulatory complexity, legacy VPN and rigid VDI architectures are no longer viable. The strategic shift is toward platforms that unify access, reduce infrastructure burden, and enforce Zero Trust principles.
Thinfinity® Workspace offers a modern answer—a ZTNA-native, hybrid-ready remote desktop solution that gives enterprises full control across cloud and on-prem environments without compromising security or flexibility.

Strategic Drivers: Why Secure Remote Access Needs to Change

The shift to hybrid work has made secure access a critical layer of business continuity and digital infrastructure. Yet, many organizations still rely on VPNs and legacy VDI tools that were never designed for dynamic, identity-based access.
Key strategic trends driving change:

  • Growing pressure to support BYOD and external contractors
  • Increased adoption of multi-cloud and hybrid IT environments
  • A need for ZTNA enforcement to replace VPN tunnels
  • The desire for operational simplicity and faster provisioning

Thinfinity Workspace supports this evolution through its integrated gateway architecture, enabling secure remote access without relying on external VPNs or third-party ZTNA tools.

DaaS vs. Traditional VDI: A Fragmented Landscape

As enterprises modernize their access strategies, many find themselves caught between two suboptimal options: traditional VDI infrastructure, which is often rigid and resource-intensive, and cloud-based DaaS platforms that may lack architectural flexibility and integration depth.

Traditional VDI stacks—like those built on Citrix or Horizon—typically involve tightly coupled components, complex licensing models, and a high operational burden for IT teams. Meanwhile, many DaaS offerings constrain enterprises to vendor-managed environments or single-cloud lock-in, limiting the ability to customize or extend deployments.

Thinfinity Workspace Offers a Smarter Path Forward

Thinfinity Workspace delivers a more adaptable model by combining the strengths of both approaches, while eliminating their constraints:

  • Supports both cloud and on-prem virtualization—allowing seamless orchestration across hypervisors and cloud providers
  • Scales effortlessly across hybrid infrastructures—supporting dynamic resource provisioning and multi-broker deployments
  • Centralizes session control with built-in Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)—no need for VPNs or third-party access gateways
  • Offers a full range of access options—including browser-based sessions, RemoteApp mode, and native desktop clients for optimal user experience

This hybrid flexibility enables organizations to evolve at their own pace—without compromising security, compliance, or performance.

 

Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) vs Desktops as a Service (DaaS)

VDI vs DaaS: Choosing the Best Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Solution and DaaS Provider for Your Business

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Infographic comparing VDI, DaaS, and Thinfinity Workspace: highlights flexibility, ZTNA, hybrid support, and access options.
Capability / Use CaseThinfinity WorkspaceCitrixVMware HorizonMicrosoft AVDAwingu
Built-in ZTNA Gateway✅ Yes❌❌⚠️ Partial✅ Partial
Browser + Native Access✅ Full Support⚠️ Add-on✅ Native✅ Yes✅ Browser Only
Hybrid On-Prem + Cloud Delivery✅ Seamless⚠️ Complex✅ Partial❌ Azure Only❌ On-Prem Only
Session Control & Compliance✅ RBAC, MFA, Audit✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes
Automation / API Access✅ REST, PowerShell❌ Complex⚠️ Limited⚠️ Limited❌ No API
High-Performance / GPU Workloads✅ 16 Monitor Support✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Azure NV⚠️ Limited

workspace vs citrix

Transform Your Virtual Desktop Infrastructure with Thinfinity® Enterprise

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Strategic Use Cases Across Modern Enterprise Workflows

Thinfinity Workspace is purpose-built to address the evolving access needs of enterprise environments—supporting multiple roles, devices, and security postures across industries. Here are four key use cases where Thinfinity delivers strategic value:

Remote Workforce Enablement

Thinfinity enables secure, policy-driven access to desktops and applications from any browser or device—ideal for hybrid teams, contractors, and BYOD scenarios. With native support for identity federation (SAML, OAuth), MFA, and device-agnostic access, IT teams can confidently extend access to distributed users.


Passwordless Authentication for Virtual Desktops & Applications: A Complete Guide with Thinfinity Workspace 8

Passwordless Authentication for Virtual Desktops & Applications: A Complete Guide with Thinfinity Workspace 8

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Thinfinity enables secure, policy-driven remote desktop access from any browser or device, supporting BYOD, MFA, and identity federation.

High-Compliance & Regulated Sectors

Organizations in healthcare, finance, legal, and government must enforce strict access controls and maintain audit-ready environments. Thinfinity delivers compliance-aligned access with granular RBAC, session recording, full session logs, and support for HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001, and SOC 2 requirements.

Thinfinity supports compliance with HIPAA, GDPR, and ISO 27001 by enabling secure access controls, RBAC, and full session auditing.

Secure IT/OT Network Integration with Thinfinity®: A Technical Deep Dive

Secure IT/OT Network Integration with Thinfinity®: A Technical Deep Dive

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Design, Engineering & GPU Workloads

Engineering, architecture, and creative teams rely on resource-intensive applications. Thinfinity supports GPU acceleration, multi-monitor setups, and RemoteApp mode—delivering seamless access to CAD, 3D rendering, and media production tools through a browser or native client, even in hybrid cloud setups.

Thinfinity enables GPU-accelerated, multi-monitor remote access for CAD, 3D, and design apps via browser or native client in hybrid setups.

Secure SSH Access Without VPN: Embracing Zero Trust to Protect Your Infrastructure

Secure SSH Access Without VPN: Embracing Zero Trust to Protect Your Infrastructure

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Modern Developer Workflows

From legacy Windows applications to internal web platforms and remote shell environments, today’s development teams need flexible, secure access to a diverse range of resources. Thinfinity Workspace empowers developers to securely publish VirtualUI-enabled desktop applications, connect to Linux environments via SSH, and access internal portals—all without relying on VPNs or endpoint installations. It also supports virtual machine and cloud infrastructure administration, enabling DevOps teams to manage on-prem or cloud-based dev environments through a centralized, policy-controlled interface. This makes Thinfinity an ideal fit for secure, modular, and scalable DevOps workflows.

Thinfinity enables secure, VPN-free access to dev tools, SSH, internal portals, and VM or cloud admin for modern DevOps workflows.

How to enable h264 - Thinfinity Workspace

Optimize Remote Desktops with Thinfinity® Workspace and H.264 Encoding | Seamless GPU Performance

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Endpoint Control and Experience Management: The Next Battleground

As hybrid workforces grow, endpoint variability becomes a top concern for IT and security leaders. Managing a mix of personal, unmanaged, and kiosk devices—without sacrificing control or compliance—requires a new approach to remote access.
Thinfinity Workspace eliminates endpoint complexity by design. It transforms access into a secure, identity-driven process, regardless of the user’s device or location:

  • Clientless access via browser, with no local software installation
  • Secure sessions from unmanaged, personal, or shared devices, fully isolated and policy-enforced
  • Integration with modern identity platforms (SAML, OAuth) for seamless SSO and centralized authentication
  • Support for PKI certificates, FIDO2 Passkeys, and passwordless login workflows, ensuring secure authentication without friction
  • Fine-grained session restrictions, including clipboard, printing, and file transfer controls
Thinfinity enables secure, clientless remote access with SAML, OAuth, PKI certificates, Passkeys, and device-agnostic session controls.

With Thinfinity, remote desktop access becomes truly endpoint-agnostic—reducing IT overhead, increasing agility, and enhancing the user experience without compromising security posture.

Strategic Action Points for CIOs and I&O Leaders

Eliminate VPN reliance by adopting access platforms with native ZTNA controls.

Support hybrid infrastructure by selecting a vendor that works across hypervisors, clouds, and physical networks.

Automate access management via API integrations and policy orchestration.

Prioritize visibility and governance with auditing, analytics, and fine-grained session control.

Plan for scalability by choosing a solution that supports both browser-based and native workflows.

Thinfinity Workspace meets all these priorities in a single, manageable platform.

 
Strategic priorities for CIOs: eliminate VPNs, support hybrid infrastructure, automate access, enhance visibility, and ensure scalability.

Final Word: Secure Remote Desktop Is a Strategic Pillar—Not a Stopgap

Secure access to digital workspaces is no longer a tactical necessity—it’s a foundational component of enterprise resilience, security posture, and operational scalability.

Thinfinity Workspace offers a modular, secure, and future-ready platform to:

  • Unify remote desktop and application delivery
  • Secure workforce access with built-in Zero Trust principles
  • Scale across hybrid and multi-cloud environments
  • Reduce operational burden while improving user experience

To understand how Thinfinity Workspace fits into your secure access roadmap, visit cybelesoft.com/thinfinity/workspace.

 

About Cybele Software Inc.
We help organizations extend the life and value of their software. Whether they are looking to improve and empower remote work or turn their business-critical legacy apps into modern SaaS, our software enables customers to focus on what’s most important: expanding and evolving their business.

About Version 2 Digital

Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

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