Alternative for RDP solution

[chkaufmann 18]

We have a client / server application which we offer on an platform with RDP access (application only) for users. On the same server I run a REST API (https) with a mobile application accessing data in the same database.

 

For one client it is not possible anymore to open an application over RDP. I need to find a solution using https only.

 

The client application has too many features (including a map) to move to a browser platform easily. Even TMS Webcore is not a solution since we have too many customized controls. As far as I understand it is not possible to offer RDP access using a HTTPS connection or is it? Or are there any other options I have? I'm thinking about a n-tier solution where my client sends the requests to the API instead of the database. But maybe I missed an easier way to overcome the client restriction about not to use the RDP ports.

 

Regards
Christian

[Olli73 7]

I think tsplus webserver could do the job ...

[Des101 0]

I'm guessing that you're using RemoteApp to publish your application, if so it's relatively easy to allow access via a browser. There should be plenty of setup instructions available online. 

 

The browser access method works fine, there's a few differences to RDP, for example printer management is handled by downloading all printouts as pdfs.

[stijnsanders 38]

including a map?

Something like this? http://yoy.be/play/blockcity/

[chkaufmann 18]

9 hours ago, Olli73 said:

I think tsplus webserver could do the job ...

This looks interesting. How does it compare to "Thinfinity VirtualUI". I looked at this some years ago, but it was not 100% correct in HTML5 mode. Compared to that, the TSPlus Demo server with Excel looks perfect in Firefox. In addition, I think "Thinfinity VirtualUI" is driven by investors and not technical people anymore...

[Olli73 7]

For us TS Plus works great.

[Brian Evans 124]

Native applications can make use of the same REST calls as web apps. Saves creating another API from scratch. 

 

There are a few libraries available for Delphi to make this easier. Probably too many which makes choosing a bit of a pain point. 

[corneliusdavid 245]

I support an old application written in Delphi XE where the client doesn't want to spend a lot to majorly upgrade but the users live in various parts of North America and used the app on their local Windows machines to access the central database. This worked OK (not great) when they were all on the west coast but when users were added from an eastern province in Canada, the additional distance made accessing data unbearably slow. So we looked for a different solution.

 

The quickest and cheapest way was to add Thinfinity VirtualUI to the Delphi code and set up a server where the Delphi app could access the data locally and all users use the app through a web browser--with very minimal changes to the code (still Delph XE VCL!). It works great and everyone is happy.