Delivering ThinApp packages within a FlexApp Layer using ProfileUnity

One question that comes up in conversation a lot recently is where App Virtualization stops and App Layering starts. There are typically no wrong answers when attempting to design application solutions around both App Virtualization and App Layering, but what is clear so far is that App Layering has a wider compatibility with enterprise applications. There seems to be another option, why not combine them for a best of breed solution for enterprises. This blog entry will examine the combination of FlexApp Layering from Liquidware Labs and ThinApp from VMware.

A number of years ago when I first started working with ThinApp, I was told they would run faster if they were launched from the local disk versus a network share.  For physical or persistent OS, this can be accomplished by copying the ThinApp package locally and then running thinreg.exe against the file(s) or by packaging the application with ThinApp as an .msi package and installing it on the OS.  For non-persistent desktops, copying the files locally or running the msi version isn’t really an option because this would need to be done each time a user logs on to a desktop.

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FlexApp Application Layering is Beyond Cool! But Where Do I Start?

FlexApp Portable Layers - where do i start

Application Layering has finally come of age. We recently delivered our second generation of FlexApp technology in ProfileUnity with FlexApp v6.5. The new filter driver based approach makes FlexApp more compatible with more desktops than ever before including persistent virtual and physical desktops.

If you are a first time user of Application Layering technology you may be overwhelmed by the choices, you may also be wondering, “which applications should I start with?” In short, just about any application that does not require full application isolation is an GOOD candidate for FlexApp Layering so your options are nearly limitless. However, there are applications that may be more of a pain to manage and maintain than others. These are GREAT candidates for FlexApp. The three types of applications below are suggested starting points that will immediately make your life easier:

  1. Applications with Frequent Updates
  2. Applications that need a DR/HA plan (core / key apps at a minimum)
  3. Applications that require faster storage I/O for better performance

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