This summer, the End User Computing (EUC) scene got hotter than a beachside barbecue, with Citrix, Omnissa, AWS, and Azure Virtual Desktop rolling out updates that make virtual workspaces cooler than ever.
The EUC landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by hybrid work, cost optimization, and security demands. Over the past six months, all key players have introduced significant updates to deliver secure, scalable digital workspaces.
Let’s go over the key announcements from this ‘summer of EUC love’, highlighting major announcements, strategic implications, and our objective assessment including areas where businesses may need to consider additional support and advisory.
Citrix: Deepening Cloud Integration and Flexibility
Citrix has reinforced its leadership in hybrid and multi-cloud EUC with updates to its Desktop as a Service (DaaS) and Virtual Apps and Desktops platforms.
- General Availability of Citrix DaaS on Amazon WorkSpaces Core (July 22, 2025)
Citrix launched Citrix DaaS Machine Creation Services (MCS) on Amazon WorkSpaces Core, leveraging AWS’s scalable infrastructure for simplified VDI migrations. Features include autoscaling, usage-based billing, and encryption with AWS-managed or customer-managed KMS keys, enhancing cost-efficiency and security.
- Enhanced Image Management and Azure Confidential VMs (August 15, 2025)
Citrix introduced Image Management for MCS, enabling streamlined version control across machine catalogs. Support for Azure Confidential VMs via Studio UI strengthens data protection for sensitive workloads.
- Streamlined Google Cloud Integration and Cost Reporting (August 15, 2025)
A Quick Deploy feature simplifies Citrix DaaS deployment on Google Cloud Platform (GCP). A new cost summary page provides detailed reports on storage and compute savings, with visual trend graphs for autoscale and user-initiated power-offs.
- Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops 7 2503 (July 30, 2025)
This release adds backup EC2 instance types for AWS to ensure business continuity and supports secondary VMs for dynamic scaling in Azure. Web Studio now filters master images by region, improving deployment accuracy.
Strategic Implications:
- Citrix’s focus on hybrid multi-cloud flexibility and cost optimization aligns with enterprises navigating complex IT environments. Its deepened AWS, Azure, and GCP integrations enable IT leaders to balance performance, security, and cost without vendor lock-in.
Pros:
- Multi-Cloud Flexibility: Support for AWS, Azure, and GCP with consistent tools reduces vendor lock-in, ideal for diverse infrastructures.
- Cost Optimization: Autoscaling and detailed cost reporting enable effective budget management for variable workloads.
- Security Enhancements: Azure Confidential VMs and encryption options bolster compliance for regulated industries like finance and healthcare.
- Operational Simplicity: Quick Deploy for GCP and Image Management streamline administration, accelerating time-to-value.
Where Samana Group Can Help:
- Navigating Multi-Cloud Complexity: The robust multi-cloud options can be intricate for smaller IT teams. Our team can provide tailored guidance to design and deploy hybrid environments, ensuring seamless integration and minimizing setup time.
- Optimizing Hybrid Integrations: Configuring AWS and Azure integrations requires strategic planning. We can assist in architecting solutions that align with your business goals, reducing deployment risks and accelerating adoption.
- Ensuring Cost Predictability: Usage-based billing offers flexibility but requires careful monitoring. Our experts are experienced at implementing cost-governance frameworks to optimize spending and prevent budget overruns.
- New feature integration: New features and functionalities, like DeviceTrust, may be complex to implement and maintain without experience. Samana can understand a customer’s environment and requirements, in order to design and build an optimal solution.
Omnissa: Advancing Horizon 8 and Cloud-Native Solutions
- Horizon 8 2406 Release with Amazon WorkSpaces Core (August 9, 2025)
- Horizon Cloud on Amazon WorkSpaces Core – General Availability (July 2025)
- Hybrid Deployment Enhancements
Strategic Implications:
- Omnissa’s updates prioritize cost-effective, scalable VDI with robust hybrid capabilities. The cloud-native Horizon Cloud and AWS integration position Omnissa for organizations valuing automation and compliance.
- Cost Efficiency: Power Optimized billing and automated provisioning reduce infrastructure costs for fluctuating workloads.
- Compliance Focus: FIPS 140-2 and DoD IL6 certifications make Omnissa ideal for government and regulated sectors.
- Application Delivery: App Volumes integration streamlines application management, enhancing user experience.
- Hybrid Scalability: WorkSpaces Core integration ensures business continuity for distributed workforces.
Where Samana Group Can Help:
- Optimizing Cloud-Native Deployments: With Horizon Cloud now generally available, organizations can benefit from tailored configurations to maximize performance and scalability. Our team can design and implement deployments to align with your specific use cases.
- Enhancing Multi-Cloud Interoperability: Omnissa’s integrations benefit from optimized connections to diverse cloud platforms. We can streamline deployments across AWS, Azure, or GCP to ensure seamless performance and scalability.
- Simplifying Cloud-Native Transitions: Shifting to pod-less architectures requires IT retraining. Our experts can provide customized training and deployment plans to minimize disruption and maximize efficiency.
AWS WorkSpaces and AppStream: Expanding EUC Capabilities
AWS has enhanced WorkSpaces and AppStream 2.0 with a focus on flexibility, security, and cost optimization. Notable updates include:
- Citrix DaaS MCS General Availability on WorkSpaces Core (July 22, 2025)
AWS’s collaboration with Citrix enables on-premises VDI extension to WorkSpaces Core, with beta support for multi-session Windows Server OS bundles to optimize costs.
- Amazon WorkSpaces Pools AutoStop Feature for Non-Persistent Desktops (June 27, 2025)
AWS announced the general availability of the AutoStop feature for WorkSpaces Pools, enabling non-persistent desktops to automatically stop after a user-defined period of inactivity (configurable from 15 minutes to 7 days). This feature supports Windows and Linux desktops, reducing costs by deallocating idle resources while preserving user data via persistent storage options like Amazon FSx. It’s ideal for temporary workers, training environments, and cost-sensitive deployments.
- FabulaTech Peripheral Redirection (July 14, 2025)
AWS partnered with FabulaTech to enhance peripheral redirection for WorkSpaces Personal and AppStream 2.0, improving support for specialized hardware.
Strategic Implications:
- AWS’s focus on cost optimization and partner integrations strengthens its scalable EUC platform. The WorkSpaces Pools AutoStop feature and Citrix integration cater to enterprises modernizing VDI while prioritizing cost efficiency and user experience.
Pros:
- Cost Optimization: The WorkSpaces Pools AutoStop feature reduces costs for non-persistent desktops by deallocating idle resources, ideal for temporary or variable workloads.
- Scalability: AWS’s global infrastructure and Citrix integration enable rapid scaling for dynamic or global workforces.
- Specialized Use Cases: FabulaTech’s peripheral redirection supports industries like healthcare and design.
- Flexible Architecture: Support for persistent and non-persistent desktops (WorkSpaces Pools) provides flexibility for diverse use cases.
Where Samana Group Can Help:
- Optimizing AutoStop Configurations: The AutoStop feature requires careful tuning to balance cost savings and user experience. Our team can design and implement policies to maximize efficiency while ensuring seamless access for users.
- Enhancing WorkSpaces Functionality:AWS WorkSpaces benefits from tailored enhancements to meet advanced VDI requirements. Our team can implement complementary tools to optimize your EUC environment, ensuring seamless alignment with your business needs.
- Easing AWS Adoption: Organizations new to AWS may face migration challenges for non-persistent desktops. Our experts can design and execute migration strategies to minimize costs and accelerate deployment.
Azure Virtual Desktop: Simplifying Deployment and Integration
Microsoft’s Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) has streamlined deployment and user experience, reinforcing its cloud-native EUC role. Key developments include:
- Azure AD Domain Join General Availability (June 20, 2025)
AVD supports Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) domain join, integrating with Microsoft Intune for simplified authentication and device management.
- Start VM on Connect and Diagnostic Improvements (June 20, 2025)
The “Start VM on Connect” feature (preview) powers on VMs dynamically, reducing costs. Diagnostic settings during host pool creation enable automated reporting for AVD Insights.
- Automatic Migration Tool for AVD Classic (June 20, 2025)
A PowerShell-based tool simplifies migration from AVD Classic to the modern AVD platform, ensuring compliance.
Strategic Implications: AVD’s automation, cost optimization, and Azure AD integration make it ideal for Microsoft ecosystem users. Migration tools and diagnostics reduce administrative overhead.
Pros:
- Microsoft Ecosystem Integration: Azure AD and Intune streamline authentication and device management for Microsoft 365 users.
- Cost Optimization: Start VM on Connect and automated diagnostics lower operational costs.
- Migration Support: The migration tool simplifies upgrades from AVD Classic, minimizing disruption.
- Security: Azure AD domain join enhances identity management for enterprise security.
Where Samana Group Can Help:
- Expanding Beyond Microsoft: AVD’s Microsoft-centric focus may limit multi-cloud flexibility. Our team can design hybrid solutions to integrate AWS or GCP, broadening your cloud strategy.
- Stabilizing Preview Features: Features like Start VM on Connect are in preview, posing risks for production. We can provide testing and validation services to ensure reliability.
- Simplifying Azure Adoption: Organizations new to Azure may face setup complexity. Our experts can streamline deployment, optimizing costs and reducing time-to-value.
Looking Ahead: Strategic Considerations for EUC Leaders
The past six months have seen Citrix, Omnissa, AWS, and Azure Virtual Desktop advance their platforms to address hybrid work, cost management, and security. For EUC executives, platform choice depends on priorities:
- Hybrid and Multi-Cloud: Citrix excels with its agnostic approach across AWS, Azure, GCP, and on-premises.
- Cost Optimization: Omnissa and AWS offer advanced power management and usage-based billing.
- Microsoft Ecosystem: AVD is ideal for Azure AD and Intune users.
- Scalability and Security: All vendors enhance security (e.g., Azure Confidential VMs, FIPS 140-2) and scalability for global workforces.
Samana Group stands ready to help you navigate these advancements, ensuring your EUC strategy aligns with business goals. Visit vendor websites (citrix.com, omnissa.com, aws.amazon.com, azure.microsoft.com) for detailed guides and roadmaps.
Looking for agnostic yet specialized advisory on your EUC strategy? Sign up for our complimentary EUC Strategy Workshop and work with our team of architects to set you on the right path.
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