Microsoft beefing up app virtualization program

by Jeremy Kirk

November 13, 2007 —

Microsoft is improving its popular Application Virtualization program while
also bundling it with beta versions of other new software management tools.

Microsoft acquired Application Virtualization when it bought Softricity in
May 2006. The technology lets administrators stream applications to other PCs
where they run in a virtual space that prevents them from conflicting with one
another. The technology reduces deployment and management costs, according to
Microsoft.

Microsoft has now made available a 4.5 beta release that adds more language
support for Application Virtualization. It lets someone run an English version
of Application Virtualization on a non-English operating system, said Winni
Verhoef, senior product manager for Windows product management, who spoke on
the sidelines of IT Forum, Microsoft's European customer event running this
week in Barcelona.

Other improvements have been made to let Application Virtualization scale to
more users better. The program's code has also undergone a thorough security
check. The final version will be ready by the second half of 2008, Verhoef said.

Microsoft has put Application Virtualization in a package of software called
the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). When it was introduced in January,
the package contained only Application Virtualization. In July, Microsoft stuck
in three other components: Advanced Group Policy Management, the Diagnostic
and Recovery Toolset and System Center Desktop Error Monitoring.

Microsoft is beta testing two other components that will end up in MDOP. One
is the Diagnostics and Recovery Toolset 6.0, which is used to remove viruses
and spyware from offline systems. That tool is in a private beta now and will
be incorporated into MDOP next year. Also in testing is Asset Inventory Service
1.0, which compiles an inventory of software used on a network.

MDOP costs US$10 per PC per year if users subscribe to Microsoft's Software
Assurance maintenance program. Verhoef said the product has been selling very
fast: 3 million licenses since January.

IDG News Service