The biggest thing in the IT industry in the last few years has been virtualization. Every newsletter you read or call you receive is trying to get you to jump into the deep end. There is more than one type of virtualization. The most common type is server or hardware virtualization, which includes desktop virtualization. The next biggest use is application streaming, a form of application virtualization.

Application streaming is where a particular application is profiled and delivered to the end user in such a way that it is not installed on the local computer. The client computer might need a streaming client or the application might be bundled into an executable file. The different methods have benefits and disadvantages, but it really depends on what your goal is.

There are currently five main players when it comes to application streaming:

1. Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization
2. Citrix XenApp
3. Symantec AppStream
4. VMware ThinApp
5. Endeavors Application Jukebox

Microsoft SoftGrid Application Virtualization

The Softgrid product has been around for sometime, and is now owned by Microsoft. It is probably the most mature of the application streaming virtualization packages.

It has the following features:

• Stand alone mode - allows you to publish the applications without needing a Softgrid server
• Dynamic Suite composition - allowing different profiles or packages to be used together
• Web application delivery - allowing you more flexibility for delivering applications
• Support for non-US English languages

The biggest drawback for the SoftGrid solution is Microsoft itself. You must have your computer operating system covered by software assurance and then you need to purchase the Desktop Optimization pack with software assurance as well.

Citrix XenApp

Citrix Presentation Server 4.5 first introduced the application streaming ability. XenApp 5.0 has expanded the features including:

• Http/s support for Web delivery of applications
• Inter-bubble communication
• Improved isolation environment features

Similar to the Softgrid implementation, if you do not already have Citrix with subscription advantage then cost will be an issue. As a product the streaming components are still young and need some fine turning to improve application efficiency.

Symantec Appstream

The Appstream product features include:

• Web application delivery
• Altiris integration
• Firefox support
• Flexible application delivery

The downside of this product is that it is not as capable as Softgrid or XenApp.

VMware ThinApp

The VMware product was originally from Thinstall. The simple implementation means it has:

• Zero runtime execution
• 100% user mode
• Application isolation

The biggest issue with ThinApp is it does not suit complex application packaging requirements like inter-bubble communication. It produces an executable or msi file to run.

Endeavors Application Jukebox

It presents three products:

• free entry level product
• middle level Software as a Server model
• Enterprise

The application Jukebox is probably the most light on in terms of features but the free entry level product will certainly allow for a broader acceptance of their product in the future.

In coming posts I will detail the processes required to use these products and how well they meet the requirements of businesses.