Application virtualisation

Application Virtualisation is the separation of an application from the underlying Operating System. 

Encapsulating the files and registry elements of an application into a self-contained package enables organisations to deploy applications quickly, easily and securely without many of the headaches, risks or costs of regression and conflict testing associated with traditional techniques.

Application virtualisation helps to:

• Reduce application management costs, time, risk and complexity
• Improve orgnisational agility
• Enable roaming and free seating
• Improve application security
• Ensure license compliance

How does Application Virtualisation help?

Microsoft App-V, part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack (MDOP) and similar technologies including Thinstall, InstallFree and Endeavors work by isolating or 'sandboxing' applications into self-contained packages or ‘bubbles’.

This approach means it’s possible to not only deliver different versions or configurations of applications which previously conflicted, but also to streamline the entire application lifecycle from instigation, through deployment, support, updates/patches to retirement. 

Virtualised applications are delivered to the client workstation (desktop, laptop, virtual desktop or remote desktop server), and are still executed on the client, but are not ‘installed’.  This means that no changes are made to the machine, the application or the way the user works. The key business benefit is that it enables an organisation to deploy its business tools safely, quickly and largely independent from the underlying IT infrastructure.

Application Virtualisation can reduce cost, reduce risk and improve IT responsiveness in almost any environment where applications are being installed on Microsoft Windows-based machines.