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FAQ - General questions

What is Virtual Application Packaging?

"Virtual Application Packaging" refers to preparing or packaging an application for delivery via any virtualisation product. The packaging process turns a standard Windows application into a centrally managed, on-demand service - without actually altering the files and components of the application itself.

The vast majority of applications can be virtualised, and most of these can be packaged offsite. Usually an application can be prepared in any location, and our packaging machines are configured and optimised to give you the best possible results.

Why use an offsite packaging service?

We give you an established application packaging process, including clearly defined roles and responsibilities, tool set integration, workflow coordination, packaging policies and best practice procedures.

This benefits your organisation in a number of ways:

  • Predictable costs - Using an offsite service helps to control budgets, by providing a fixed cost solution for application deployment.
  • Scalability - Business growth can be met quickly using this repeatable methodology.
  • Standards - It's easier to implement and manage standards throughout the enterprise.
  • Governance and Regulatory Compliance - Changes can easily be implemented and automatically maintained throughout your organisation.
  • No extra skill requirement - The offsite application packaging service allows you to concentrate on your core skills.

What can I expect to receive when I commission a package?

We'll send you an environmental questionnaire and application checklist for completion. Once we receive this and the application media, the packaging process will begin. The completed package will contain:

  • A fully virtualised application with all appropriate project files.
  • A document outlining the application installation procedure used
  • Any extra media (including scripts, registry files and files)

How do you define an application?

An "application" is an installation according to the discovery document provided, and a "configuration" is creating an extra OSD (or shortcut) for the application. An application may be made up of several components, but as long as it's one install routine, we'll class this as one application.

For example, if we were to sequence Microsoft Office, even though this consists of Word, Excel etc, this would be one application as no additional configuration is required and all of the OSD's are produced by the sequencing process. However, if an application requires us to create additional OSD (shortcuts) which are not produced by the standard installation, then each OSD will be an additional configuration which will be charged accordingly.

How can I monitor the packaging process?

We'll keep you up to date as to the progress of the packaging process with email updates and an online progress report, which we'll establish with you during the initial engagement process.

How can I ensure any issues and specific requirements are communicated effectively?

You'll have a dedicated account manager with whom you can communicate all your requirements. The account manager's role will be to make sure all issues and requirements are dealt with in the most effective manner, so that the packaging process is as successful as possible.

How can I make sure we sufficiently coordinate between our organisations during the whole process?

We'll appoint a technical contact with whom you can coordinate the entire packaging process. This will be sufficient in most cases - however, with larger engagements it may be useful for us to provide an "on site" resource to coordinate between both parties. If you need this, we will discuss with you the best way of achieving it upon project initialisation.

What documentation can I expect?

We'll document the complete virtual application packaging process and detail any additional scripts and configuration needed for the virtualised application to work.

What happens if there is a problem with my application when I get it back from you?

We're happy to help resolve any problems that arise when using the virtualised application during the warranty period. If there are any issues outside this period, we will support you as best as we can - where this is a minor change to the virtualised application package this will be done free of charge.

Where there are significant alterations to the package due to missing or incorrect application discovery, a repackaging charge will apply. In the case where all information is correct and major work is required to get the application working, we'll engage with you to reach an amicable decision.

What if I'm in a different timezone?

We have a customer portal that has been specifically designed to allow a customer to follow the progress of each of their packages. In addition we provide both direct email and phone details to allow communication to your account manager. When dealing with different timezones, it will be important to establish the best times to contact each party directly. This will happen during the project initialisation process.

We'll ensure as far as possible that our technical contact is available during your working hours, so if you need to communicate any further information directly, you'll be able to do this.

What experience does VAF have?

We have extensive experience of preparing and packaging applications for virtual environments. All of our consultants have vast experience working in both offsite and onsite roles and have been working in these areas for many years.

VAF has extensive experience of virtualising apps for both laptop/offline and Citrix/Terminal Services environments and designing Enterprise level solutions. Some of our customer references can be viewed here .

Can VAF help with other areas of application virtualisation other than packaging?

At VAF and add3, we can help you plan, deploy and support the following technologies:

  • Microsoft App-V (formerly SoftGrid)
  • Citrix technologies including Citrix XenApp (Presentation server), Citrix XenDesktop, Citrix Provisioning Server and Citrix Streaming Server
  • AppSense
  • Thinstall

If you'd like to know how we can help you with these technologies, talk to one of our consultants.