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Blog • • 4 minute read

Pop Quiz: How do you publish VDI applications directly on the Island Enterprise Browser landing page

Streamline user experience by integrating published apps directly on the Island Enterprise Browser home screen. This approach reduces clicks, enhances familiarity and accelerates adoption by offering a unified workspace. Discover how to configure one-click app icons using Omnissa Horizon and Citrix Virtual Apps, ensuring seamless, instant access to essential tools.

In this blog

 Introduction

(Yes, I'm opening with a "Speed" reference. No, Keanu Reeves won't be making an appearance.) 

So, Pop quiz hotshot: A customer reads my blog about integrating Island Enterprise Browser with Omnissa Horizon.They make a big purchase of the product and are driving adoption.

Customer calls me up: 
"This solution is great, but it's too many clicks. Once my users are in Island, they'll click on a VDI client icon, get prompted for credentials (web client or full client), log in, choose their published app or desktop, and finally the app launches!? My users are used to just double-clicking an app and getting straight to work, this is cool but too much." 

I take a big swig of my soda and say: 
"What if, and I'm just spit-balling here… what if the published apps were right there on the Island browser home page? One click, and they're in."  

They pause. 
"Yep, that'll work." 

Cool, now what!?! How am I going to make this happen?

 The Tools I have at my disposal 

Island Enterprise Browser - It's a secure, policy-driven enterprise browser and perfect for delivering a modern workspace. 
Omnissa Horizon and Citrix Apps and Desktops - both rock-solid at delivering virtualized apps and desktops. 

 The issue 

Without shortcuts, a user's journey looks like this: 

  1. Open Island browser
  2. Click on the VDI client icon
  3. Authenticate (web prompt or client launch)
  4. Log in
  5. Browse and select their app from a list
  6. Wait… then finally start working

It's the long scenic route for something that should feel instant. 

 The Dream 

The Island home screen acting like the real desktop, the landing page as it were with Apps like Word, a Progressive Web App (PWA), Teams, another PWA, ServiceNow, a SaaS solution with SAML integration, an ERP delivered as a published app via Omnissa Horizon, a payroll app delivered as a published app from Citrix Apps and Desktop - all side-by-side as clickable icons.  
Click once. The app launches. No detours. 

 Why It Rocks 

Fewer Clicks = Happier Users – Get straight to work 

Feels Familiar – Instant-launch experience of a traditional desktop 

Unified Workspace – SaaS, web, and published apps in one secure browser 

Faster Adoption – Easy tools are used tools 

 How To: Put Published Apps Directly on the Island Home Screen 

Here's how to create one-click app icons for Omnissa Horizon and/or Citrix inside Island. 
We'll cover three approaches: 

  VDI Integration Option 1: Omnissa Horizon Client (Desktop App Method) 

Best for: 

  • Users with the Horizon Client installed on desktop
  • Maximum performance & protocol support
  • Seamless, menu-free launching
  • Direct App Launching

Configuration Steps: 

  1. In the Island Admin Console, create a new shortcut and select Link.
  2. Shortcut URL: Using the vmware-view:// command enter vmware-view:// followed by the FQDN of the Horizon connection server and the published application name.
    1. Example: vmware-view://horizonsbx.wwtatc.com/multicalculator

When selected, the Horizon Client opens directly into the app — no portal, no app list. 

Best for: 

  • Users without Horizon Client
  • BYOD or contractor devices
  • Lightweight browser-based access

Configuration Steps: 

  1. In the Island Admin Console, create a new shortcut and select PWA or Link.
  2. Shortcut URL: Paste the direct HTML5 launch URL for the app.
    1. Example: https://FQDN.com/?applicationId=Google%20Chrome%20-%20ATC%20Demo&action=start-session
  3. Application Scope: Add the app's domain to keep navigation inside the PWA.
  4. Optional: Add a matching icon.
  5. Add the shortcut to your homepage policy.

Selecting the tile launches the HTML5 session straight into the app — no menu-browsing. 

 VDI Integration Option 3: Citrix Workspace Client (Desktop App Method) 

Best for: 

  • Users with the Citrix Workspace client installed
  • ICA/HDX protocol preference
  • Direct app launching

Configuration Steps: 

  1. In the Island Admin Console, create a new shortcut and select Desktop App.
  2. Executable Name:
    1. SelfService.exe
  3. Path:
    1. C:\Program Files (x86)\Citrix\ICA Client\SelfService.exe
  4. Arguments:
    1. -launch "AppDisplayName" 
       

Replace "AppDisplayName" with the exact display name in Citrix Studio/StoreFront. 

         5. Optional: Add a custom icon.

         6. Fallback URL: Your Citrix Workspace web URL for client-less access.

Selecting the tile opens the Workspace client directly into the chosen app. 

 Old Blog Method vs. New Blog Method 

Old way:

  1. Open Island Browser
  2. Authenticate
  3. Click VDI icon
  4. Login
  5. Select application

New way:

  1. Open Island Browser
  2. Authenticate
  3. Click application icon

  

 Final thought 

You don't have to force users to adapt to extra clicks. By putting their published apps front-and-center on the Island home screen — whether via Horizon or Citrix — you're giving them instant-launch convenience inside a secure, policy-controlled environment. 

The tech stays smart. The user stays happy. A win-win for everyone. 

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