Thick-Client Applications
Ekara Front-End Monitoring Solutions for Thick-Client Applications
Thick-client applications remain essential to many organisations across sectors like finance, retail, healthcare, and the public sector. These desktop-based tools are often business-critical, tightly integrated with legacy systems, and preferred for their speed and offline capabilities. But because they’re installed locally, they often fall outside the scope of front-end monitoring tools, leaving IT teams blind to the user experience.
That’s where Ekara digital experience monitoring (DEM) comes in.
With its synthetic transaction monitoring (STM), gain full visibility into the actual experience of employees and agents using thick-client apps in the office, on virtual desktops (VDI), or in the field.
End-User Monitoring Adapted to All Thick-Client Environments
Thick clients are applications installed locally on a user’s machine that handle most processing on the client side. Unlike web-based apps, they don’t run in a browser, although they may connect to remote services or databases. For example, a claims management tool or ERP system accessed via Citrix still counts as a thick client—even if the interface is streamed through a browser-based session.
Monitoring Thick-Client Applications on Internet and Intranet Networks
Thick-client applications can operate on internal networks (intranets) or securely connect to external systems via the internet. In either case, monitoring with the Ekara Business Apps offer adapts to the connectivity environment while preserving performance and security
Secure Digital Experience Monitoring for Thick-Client Apps
Monitoring thick-client applications often means dealing with sensitive user data and regulated environments. That’s why our front-end monitoring tools are designed with security at the core. From anonymised data collection to safe credential handling and compatibility with compliance frameworks, we help you monitor critical workflows without compromising security or privacy. Get in touch to find out more.
Industry Use Cases for Thick-Client Application Monitoring
Finance & Insurance: Claims processing systems, trading terminals, and VDI-delivered apps like CRM or underwriting tools.
POS software, ERP interfaces, and inventory management systems used across store networks.
Citizen service platforms, HR and finance software, and field service apps for municipal operations.
Dossiers médicaux électroniques (DME) et outils de diagnostic nécessitant une haute performance et une grande disponibilité.
Benefits of End-User Monitoring for Thick-Client Applications
- Proactive incident detection before users are affected
- Faster root cause identification to reduce support time
- End-to-end visibility, even across VDI environments
- Quantifiable performance metrics for internal SLAs and partner accountability
- Better user experience, boosting productivity and satisfaction
Real-World Success in Monitoring Thick-Client Apps
Monitoring ERP and CRM Applications Across Locations
A European regional energy company with enterprise applications (ERP, CRM), Office software suite, Citrix platform, and business-specific applications decided to set up end-user monitoring to measure application service levels in real time.
After its DEM specialist set up Ekara synthetic monitoring robots at two locations, the energy company was able to observe differences in application performance between the two sites. Location-related problems were clearly identified through analysis of the response time and availability metrics supplied by the robots.
Citrix-Delivered Business Apps: Monitoring to Track SLA Compliance
An organism responsible for validating pharmaceutical products relies on Citrix-delivered business applications for workforce productivity. Their small IT team decided to partially outsource IT service needs.
Internal users complained that the applications they were accessing via Citrix were slow. To determine whether the problem arose from internal IT or on the technology provider’s side, they set up Ekara digital experience monitoring to check their Citrix-delivered applications.
With the resulting metrics, IT was able to prove to the technology provider that service was objectively slow, and that the quality of service fell short of the specifications in the SLA.
Key Takeaways: Why Ekara Digital Experience Monitoring Matters for Thick-Client Apps
- Front-end synthetic monitoring offers vital insights into thick-client application performance and user experience.
- Monitoring thick-client apps improves operational efficiency, reduces downtime, and boosts employee productivity.
- Integration of Ekara metrics with popular technical tools like Zabbix, Dynatrace, and New Relic ensures seamless IT ecosystem visibility.
- Security and compliance are core priorities when monitoring sensitive thick-client workflows.
Rely on our experts to handle your digital experience monitoring. Find us here!