Remote Desktop (AVD) Manual
Kindly refer to the attachment for the AVD (Remote Desktop App) manual for download.
The manual is also available at \\fsrz01\documents\public\Vollers-group\AVD
Azure Virtual Desktop / Azure Remote App
Content
Version overview ..................................................................................................................................... 1
Foreword ................................................................................................................................................. 2
Start guide ............................................................................................................................................... 2
Additional information ............................................................................................................................ 5
- Logon Error Troubleshooting ............................................................................................................ 5
-To integrate "OUTLOOK" .................................................................................................................... 6
- To integrate files between local and AVD ......................................................................................... 7
- To "Save" or in the "Save as" dialogue: ............................................................................................. 8
- To print: ............................................................................................................................................. 8
- To use network drives ....................................................................................................................... 9
- To use the browser ............................................................................................................................ 9
- to use the taskbar ............................................................................................................................ 10
- For use from outside of Vollers networks ....................................................................................... 11
- Logout .............................................................................................................................................. 11
Closing words ........................................................................................................................................ 11
Foreword
Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly Windows Virtual Desktop) is a cloud-based virtual desktop infrastructure solution from Microsoft that will replace our previous Citrix installation.
Compared to our current classic Citrix installation, Azure Virtual Desktop offers several advantages for the end user.
Performance: We expect an increase in performance due to the use of locally installed office applications and the fact that we no longer provide an entire desktop per user, but only the applications.
Simplification of the Vollers user environment: As a user, you no longer switch back and forth between different desktops but work exclusively on your local Windows installation.
On the corporate and administrative side, there are of course some advantages, including:
Cost optimisation: By using Azure services and being able to deploy only virtual applications on demand, we can reduce our infrastructure costs and only pay for the resources we actually use.
Simplified management: Virtual desktops and applications are managed centrally through the Azure platform, reducing management tasks and costs.
Start guide
To use the Azure Virtual Desktop Client for Remote Apps as an end user, follow these steps:
-We, the General IT, install the Azure Virtual Desktop Client on your Vollers end device. You do not have to do anything here.
-After the installation, you can start the Azure Virtual Desktop Client. You will find the application under the name "Remote Desktop" with a red icon 
in your start menu.
After starting, click on subscribe.
You will be prompted to log in with your Azure or Microsoft 365 account credentials.
After you have logged in, you will see the available remote apps that have been assigned to you.
Remote apps are specific applications hosted in the cloud that you can access through the Azure Virtual Desktop Client.
You will only see the apps you need.
Select the desired remote app from the list and click on it.
The application is started and displayed in a separate window.
You may have to log in again with your Vollers user.
You can use the Remote App like any other local application. However, note that the app is running in the cloud and its performance may depend on your internet connection. To exit the remote app, simply close the app window.
After logging into the first application you will see the screen loading for a few minutes, since all your resources are created. Consecutive logins will be a lot quicker. Please be patient during first login.
Additional information
Technically, the started applications run on a server and only the image of the application is transferred to your computer. Special care is therefore required at certain points:
- Logon Error Troubleshooting
Until the final go-live on 07/26/2023, an error will occur when logging in to your device via PIN or biometrics (camera or fingerprint):
The error only occurs in the described constellation and can be easily bypassed:
To do so, simply click on More options and select the @vollers.com account:
You can then log in without errors.
-To integrate "OUTLOOK"
Sometimes programs need other applications to provide the full range of functions. For example, you want to export data to Excel, or you want to send a mail from AX, then not only the actual application must be started, but also these "supporting" applications. This also works smoothly with AVD, but with Outlook there is unfortunately still a small restriction. If, for example, you want to write a mail from AX, please start Outlook manually once before and confirm any messages that may appear.
- To integrate files between local and AVD
We continue to use OneDrive as a link between the local and virtual environment, just like with Citrix. Due to the missing desktop, the overview is unfamiliar at the beginning. You should be able to find your OneDrive synchronized folders both locally and in AVD. If folders are missing in AVD, please make sure OneDrive is logged into AVD. This should happen automatically, but in rare cases there are problems with this.
To log in OneDrive in this case, you will find an icon in your taskbar that you can click on:
After clicking, a window will open:
Please enter your Vollers email address here. Your files will then be synchronized and can be used in both environments.
- To "Save" or in the "Save as" dialogue:
You will notice that the "Save As" dialogue looks a little different than before, this is because our applications run on hosted Windows 11 machines. Make sure that if you want to save data, you save it to your One-Drive, but not to the "local" directories, because these are "local" on the server and not on your end device.
If you save something to the libraries (crossed out in red here), it can be difficult to find and process this data afterwards.
- To print:
All printers that are installed locally are displayed.
If you are missing printers here, you can easily add them yourself. You can find instructions on how to do this here: https://it-support.vollers.com/support/solutions/articles/52000044622
In case of problems, your IT contact on site or from General IT will support you via a ticket.
- To use network drives
If you are not working in the office and need access to Vollers internal network drives, such as "Puplic" or "Workgroups", this is no problem in AVD.
You will receive access to a file explorer from us, with which you have the same access to the file storage as if you were in the Vollers network.
- To use the browser
There are websites and services that you can only access within the Vollers network. These include not only the intranet but also internal portals such as the "Zeit Portal", "Infor" or "X-Flow". In order to ensure access from outside the company network, we also provide you with an Internet browser which you can use instead of your normal local browser for these purposes. In the English portal, the link is called "Edge".
- To use the taskbar
You can easily pin the programmes open in the AVD Remote App to your taskbar with a right-click, allowing you to take better advantage of a fully integrated environment.
- For use from outside of Vollers networks
To use AVD from out of Vollers networks, nothing must be considered compared to the procedure in the office, it runs identically. This is another difference from Citrix where there was a different access path from the Vollers network than from other locations.
The only difference when using AVD from outside the Vollers network is that there is still an MFA prompt at initial login. Otherwise, the user experience is identical regardless of location.
- Logout
There is no longer a logout as in Citrix in AVD. The application logs you in as soon as the first program is started. The logout takes place automatically after one hour in case of inactivity (all windows closed). An active logout is not possible.
Closing words
This was a brief guide to using the Azure Virtual Desktop Client for Remote Apps from a user perspective. Remember that the exact steps may vary depending on the version of the Azure Virtual Desktop Client. It might also be necessary for General IT to grant you certain permissions or access to certain applications.
If you have any further questions or need help, please do not hesitate to contact us at it-servicedesk@vollers.com!