Readily Accessible Applications
Deliver applications that meet the needs of your users regardless of whether they are in the office, on the road, in a remote site or holding a meeting at the local coffee shop.
Today’s business desktop is awash in applications. Each installed application requires lengthy regression testing and deployment processes before it reaches production. Because applications are only available where they are installed, users are tied to their computers. This makes complex yet critical projects such as OS and application migrations, security refreshes, and disaster recovery plans even harder to complete.
Microsoft Application Virtualization changes the current approach to application deployment and management by transforming applications into virtualized, network-available services that are never installed and never conflict, minimizing costly compatibility testing. Users and their application environments are no longer machine-specific, and the machines themselves are no longer user-specific. This can enable IT to be much more flexible and responsive to business needs, and dramatically reduce the cost of desktop management initiatives.
Mobile Knowledge Workers
Mobility is a major requirement for most organizations. Knowledge workers need access to their data and applications anywhere, anytime. More laptops are being deployed than desktops in many organizations around the world. While users expect flexibility and the ability to take their data with them wherever they go, the IT department needs to make sure that data is protected and end user productivity is not significantly impacted in the case of a lost or stolen laptop. Additionally, both the user and IT share the concern about easily having a “replaceable PC” to get the user back up and running with the same applications and, most importantly, the user’s data, while reducing downtime. App-V provides your Mobile Knowledge Workers with flexible solutions:
| • | Over the Internet Application Delivery – users occasionally realize that they need a new application that is not currently installed. To get the application they must first have their corporate credentials on hand, then VPN into the corporate network, locate the application, and fully download AND install. App-V frees the user of this overhead by enabling “over the Internet application delivery” in much the same way that Microsoft Outlook performs e-mail delivery. No more smartcards, no more secure IDs. |
| • | Application Roaming – users who frequently travel between corporate offices or log on to multiple workstations can have the same experience no matter where they are. In each of these environments, App-V can present the user with a common set of applications and preferences. |
| • | Offline Virtual Application Availability – users need their applications to work when they are offline. Corrupt files or application incompatibilities can stop user productivity in its tracks. App-V provides the ability for users to have full access to their application offline. |
| • | Low bandwidth support with App-V for Terminal Services – using App-V with Terminal Services ensures availability of application even when bandwidth is too low to effectively stream new software. Quickly enable a user to access and use the application remotely on TS with App-V for TS; when the user is next on a bandwidth connection the same application and settings will be instantly available to them with no further deployment |
Task Workers
Task workers, such as bank tellers, call center employees, warehouse workers, and retail employees, tend to rely upon one or a few applications. Whether it’s terminal applications, CRM, or line of business applications, they usually do not have a dedicated work station and must be able to access their applications and data from any desk within their workplace. App-V provides your Task Workers with flexible solutions:
| • | Free Seating – one user can sit down at a desktop in the morning hours, log in, and receive icons that represent applications specific to them. As the user executes the available virtual applications, the App-V Streaming server delivers them into the App-V cache on the local machine. A few hours later, when the first user logs off and a second user logs on, they may see some of the same application icons and some new icons as well. As the second user performs their duties, applications already stored in the App-V cache on the local machine will launched from there, while the App-V Streaming server delivers new applications as needed. All user preferences remain personalized to each individual user. Users only see shortcuts and icons on the Desktop, Start Menu, or Quick Launch Bar for the virtualized applications they have permission to use. |
| • | Terminal Services Presentation Virtualization – Office Knowledge Workers who require access to a subset of applications, or to applications that are otherwise not widely used, might receive permission to access those applications running directly from a Terminal Server. By using Microsoft Application Virtualization for Terminal Services all their applications will be accessible to them as expected. |
Office Knowledge Workers
Knowledge workers, such as analysts, architects, designers, and doctors, typically run multiple applications that rely upon rich user experiences to enable high productivity. When installed locally, these applications rely on, and share, the local PC and its dedicated CPU/GPU for the best performance. But they don’t always interact properly, which can cause application compatibility issues. In addition, these users may need to access Line of Business applications that, for compliance or data-sensitivity reasons, run on a central server. To maintain high levels of productivity among these workers, organizations can use App-V to provide highly personalized application sets and data locally on their PCs. App-V provides your Office Workers with flexible solutions:
| • | Application Roaming – users who frequently travel between corporate offices or log on to multiple workstations can have the same experience no matter where they are. In each of these environments, App-V can present the user with a common set of applications and preferences. |
| • | Online/Offline Virtual Application Availability – users need their applications to work when they are connected to the corporate network and when they are offline. Corrupt files or application incompatibilities can stop user productivity in its tracks. App-V provides the ability for users to have full access to their application offline. |
| • | Terminal Services Presentation Virtualization – Office Knowledge Workers who should only have access to a subset of applications that might not be used broadly and are hosted on a terminal server can be given access to a those applications running directly from a Terminal Server. By using Microsoft Application Virtualization for Terminal Services all their applications will be accessible to them as expected. |