Desktop Virtualization | News

Ericom AccessNow 2.0 Beefs Up Security, Gets Native HTML5 Overhaul

• By Leila Meyer
• 03/27/12

Ericom Software has released version 2.0 of its HTML5-based remote desktop protocol (RDP) client, Ericom AccessNow. The new version includes numerous usability and security enhancements. One notable change is that it no longer requires WebSockets and now automatically switches to secure HTTPS communication if WebSockets are unavailable. This change enables support for most SSL VPNs, such as Juniper and Cisco, and also enables support for browsers that don't implement WebSockets, such as the native Android browser and Internet Explorer 9.

Ericom AccessNow runs natively in any HTML5-enabled Web browser without the need to install any software on the client device and provides access to applications and desktops running on Windows Terminal Services or remote desktop services (RDS) and virtual desktops on Microsoft Hyper-V, VMware ESX, and other hypervisors, as well as virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) platforms, such as VMware View, Quest vWorkspace, and Ericom PowerTerm WebConnect. It runs on any device that supports an HTML5 Web browser, including Mac OS X, Windows, and Linux computers; iOS devices; Android devices; Google Chromebooks; and RIM BlackBerry and PlayBook devices.

"AccessNow empowers DaaS providers to deliver cloud-based virtual desktops anywhere and on any device, and enables ISVs to easily SaaS-enable their Windows applications for these cloud environments," said Eran Heyman, Ericom founder and CEO.

New features in Ericom AccessNow version 2.0 include:

• The ability to print from the remote host to the end-point device;
• The ability to upload and download files between the remote host and the local end-user device;
• Automatic switching to secure HTTPS communication if WebSockets are unavailable or cannot be used;
• Support for finger gestures with touch devices;
• Support for multiple keyboard locales;
• Support for URL redirection, so when a user clicks a Web link in a remote session, it can open in a tab on the local browser;
• Automatic full-screen mode; and
• Improved display and audio performance.

Further information about Ericom AccessNow version 2.0 is available on the Ericom site.