Solutions for using client-server based apps when working remote
I was wondering how many of you are still using legacy client/server apps, and come across challenges when it comes to remote/hybrid workers.
We use an application that is rather old school. No web based access, full desktop client and server. It does not work well under any latency, so VPN's and anything similar are unworkable.
The other challenge is that the application is heavily tied into MS Word, Outlook, etc. The application uses COM addins for Outlook to generate and send emails and allow interaction with the product. Similar happens with MS word.
We've tried publishing the application as a "remote app" on platforms like Citrix, but the issue again is the required integrations with Outlook, Word, downloading of files like PDF's and other documents that are stored within the app. It essentially integrates heavily with other apps.
So at the moment, we're using a full desktop experience for users over Citrix. I find this to be rather frustrating. Providing end users with new laptops with reasonable spec, for them to work remotely and use it like a thin client so they can connect to a Citrix desktop. It confuses users, it isn't particularly user friendly, and it just feels like a waste of local resources.
Does anyone work in similar situations? Are there any solutions that could help with this? Or are we destined to forever use a full remote desktop solution to support our core, oldschool, clunky-ass product?