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application virtualization

Novell Introduces ZENworks Application Virtualization

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Novell today announced the availability of Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization, an easy-to-use tool that eliminates application compatibility problems on Windows desktops. This addition to the ZENworks product line creates virtual applications in a single, isolated file and allows them to be deployed and run securely, reducing the problems associated with deploying new operating system (OS) platforms like Vista, decreasing expensive service desk calls and increasing user productivity.

With ZENworks Application Virtualization, the only application virtualization solution on the market that includes pre-configured templates for popular business software, customers can now virtualize and deploy applications in as little as 20 minutes.
Compatible with Windows Vista and Windows XP, ZENworks Application Virtualization reduces the cost and time required for software testing, packaging, deployment, configuration and contingency planning to ensure successful application and operating system upgrades. For example, with ZENworks Application Virtualization customers can continue to run Internet Explorer 6-based applications on Windows Vista, a configuration that previously required the application to be re-tooled to support Internet Explorer 7.

Novell ZENworks Application Virtualization is available for a list price of $39 per user or instance license. For more information about application virtualization from Novell, click here.

[Source: EarthTimes]

Citrix Releases XenApp 5, Will It Prove To Become The Application Virtualization Standard?

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Remember when Brian Madden pointed out that Citrix XenApp 5.0 would be delayed for several months? Well, he was right, technically. Anyhow, Citrix today announced the release of Citrix XenApp 5, and claims it “breaks through performance and operating-cost barriers, making application start times up to 10 times faster, dramatically improving end-user experience and lowering application management costs by more than 25 percent over previous versions”.

“XenApp 5 broadens the horizon of the end-user experience and accessibility by delivering an end-to-end virtualization solution that addresses the needs of both local and hosted applications,” said Mark Bowker, analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. “In addition, XenApp 5 is giving new and existing customers a welcome boost in performance at an attractive price-point, two highly sought-after requirements for companies investing in strategic technologies in today’s economy.”

XenApp, in combination with Citrix XenDesktop and Citrix XenServer, creates an end-to-end virtualization solution that spans servers, applications and desktops. The new XenApp 5 release is being featured on September 9, 2008 as part of a global, online launch event, called Citrix Delivery Center Live!

With the release of XenApp 5, Citrix claims it is raising the bar with significant new improvements to performance, user experience and cost savings. In total, XenApp 5 includes more than 50 new major enhancements, according to the official press release.

XenApp 5, which runs on the Microsoft Windows Server platform, leverages all the enhancements in Windows Server 2008 and fully supports Windows Server 2003. This enables existing Windows Server 2003 customers to immediately deploy Windows Server 2008 into their existing XenApp environments in any mix.

XenApp 5 will be available September 10, 2008. For North America, suggested retail pricing is per concurrent user (CCU) and includes one year of Subscription Advantage:

  • Advanced Edition – US $350
  • Enterprise Edition – US $450
  • Platinum Edition – US $600

Standalone pricing for client-side application streaming and virtualization begins as low as $60 per CCU.

Citrix Systems

Xenocode Releases Postbuild 2008 for .NET

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Xenocode (previous coverage) today announced the availability of Postbuild 2008 for .NET, a major update to its code obfuscation and deployment solution for Windows developers. Xenocode Postbuild allows software developers to deploy .NET applications in a single, secure executable that runs anywhere, with or without the .NET Framework.

Postbuild uses a range of powerful obfuscation techniques to protect intellectual property against decompilation and integrates directly with the advanced Xenocode application virtualization engine. The 2008 edition of Postbuild includes support for the latest .NET platforms and technologies, including Visual Studio 2008, .NET 3.0/3.5, WPF, and LINQ.

Postbuild 2008 for .NET incorporates the latest Xenocode application virtualization technology, allowing developers and ISVs to deploy applications in pre-configured virtual executables that run instantly on any Windows desktop via intranets, the Internet, USB keys, or existing desktop management infrastructure.

Postbuild’s integrated code optimization capabilities – including metadata reduction, transparent compression, dead code pruning, and dead and duplicate literal elimination – maximize application performance and minimize disk footprint.

Deploying applications processed by Postbuild does not require any per-end-user licensing fees or royalties. For more information on Postbuild, or to download a free evaluation copy, click here.

Xenocode

Ceedo Enterprise Support for Citrix XenApp Announced

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Ceedo today announced the availability of Ceedo Enterprise for Citrix XenApp, a solution that will give customers using XenApp (formerly Citrix Presentation Server) portable and secure access from any PC without the need to install client software and without requiring administrative rights. Compatibility of the XenApp Plugin for hosted applications with Ceedo’s application virtualization technology has been demonstrated through a rigorous testing program established by Citrix.

Ceedo Enterprise, launched a little over 2 months ago, enables organizations to create customized virtual workspaces, comprising of standard Windows applications, and run them without installation or requiring administration rights on any Windows PC. Ceedo workspaces can be placed and run from a webpage, a folder on a PC, a network drive or a portable storage device. The virtual workspaces can also be controlled and managed through a comprehensive remote management system.
In addition to using the XenApp Plugin, users can install their personal client applications to the workspace (such as WinAmp, Skype, FireFox, etc.), which will be available to them alongside XenApp on any PC.
The Ceedo Enterprise for Citrix XenApp is $89 per seat perpetual license. Discounts are available for large volume purchases. An evaluation version of the solution is available for download here.
Ceedo

Endeavors Unable To Secure Funding, Suspends Shares

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These are troubled times for application virtualization and streaming startup Endeavors Technologies, who recently released its Application Jukebox and split the offer into 3 separate editions. Apparently, the company has been unable to secure a large funding round after exploring a number of possible options, resulting in a suspension of ordinary shares which have stopped trading on the London Stock Exchange.

David Lee, Chairman of Endeavors commented:

“The continued decline in institutional confidence has undermined our best efforts to satisfactorily conclude the proposed re-construction of the company and our inability to attract the relevant level of investment appropriate to the company’s phase of development is deeply disappointing. We are exploring all available options”

A further announcement is expected to be made in due course.

[Source: Virtualization.info]

VMware Formally Releases ThinApp 4.0 Into The Wild

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Only a few days later than anticipated, VMware has released ThinApp 4.0, its first application virtualization solution (formerly called Project North Star) after snapping up Thinstall earlier this year.

ThinApp 4.0 (build 2200) is the next major release of the former Thinstall solution called Application Virtualization Suite 3.2, and has certain new features, such as:

  • Application Sync: enables you to deploy application updates. Application Sync automatically checks for and installs updates to your packaged applications. Updates might include changes such as a new version, service pack updates, or configuration changes in the package.ini file
  • Application Link: connects deployed applications. For example, you can establish a relationship between a deployed instance of Microsoft Office 2003 and a new Microsoft Office plug-in. Application Link enables you to establish a link between applications without having to encapsulate them into the same executable package

A trial download is available here.

ThinApp comes bundled with VMware Workstation under the name ThinApp Suite. The company offers a starting package for 50 concurrent clients at $6,050 (including a 12×5 Gold Support yearly subscription), with additional clients starting at $47.19 (including a 12×5 Gold Support yearly subscription).

VMware