Microsoft caps Azure RemoteApp in favor of Citrix XenApp in the Cloud. Microsoft has announced that they are evolving their broad partnership with Citrix to the next step in the remote desktop and applications space, with new scenarios for their joint customers on the Azure cloud.

According to people at Microsoft they said that “Customers have provided us consistent feedback that they want a comprehensive, end-to-end, cloud-based solution for delivering Windows apps. The best way for us to deliver this is with Citrix through XenApp “express”, currently under development. XenApp “express” combines the simplicity of application remoting and the scalability of Azure with the security, management, and performance benefits of XenApp, to deliver Windows applications to any employee on any device. We will have much more to share on this offering through the coming months.”

At Citrix Synergy this year, Citrix CEO Kirill Tatarinov provided new insights into the comprehensive Citrix Cloud strategy and how it would continue to make secure app and desktop delivery simple and easy for Citrix customers. He also announced the expanded partnership with Microsoft with the promise that they togehter would unveil additional solutions that take our cloud-first, mobile-first approach to new levels.

This new Citrix application virtualization service is part of our comprehensive Citrix Cloud strategy designed to simplify app and desktop delivery for every use case. The Citrix Cloud XenApp and XenDesktop service provides our enterprise customers with superior performance and flexibility by moving the backend infrastructure to the cloud. Now Citrix can combine the power and flexibility of our Citrix Cloud platform including the industry-leading HDX user experience and extend the original simple, prescriptive, and easy-to-consume vision of Microsoft Azure RemoteApp by orchestrating the applications in the cloud as well. This offering will radically simplify app delivery without sacrificing management or end user experience.

Bill Burley of Citrix said that “In many ways, you can look at this XenApp “express” service as Azure RemoteApp v2.0. You can also see it as the fastest, easiest way to use XenApp in the cloud. Either way, this new service will be the next generation application virtualization and delivery service for Azure.”

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Given this, Microsoft will gradually wind down the delivery of Azure RemoteApp over the next year. Microsoft will continue to support existing Azure RemoteApp customers on the service through August 31st, 2017, when the service will be wound down. We are following up directly with customers who are currently using Azure RemoteApp to ensure these options are understood and they have the support they need through this transition. New purchases of Azure RemoteApp will end as of October 1st, 2016.