Docker is creating an online store so that its ecosystem of partners can publish and distribute their software.
The idea is that this will make it easier for users to deploy these applications, which will be available through Docker images.
Docker does already offer its own registry for containers but the Docker Store will be different in that it is specifically aimed at enterprises.
The company said that the store will offer enterprises compliant, commercially supported software that will come from trusted and verified publishers, all packaged as Docker images. Both free and paid software will be available in the store, with Docker taking a cut of installs for paid applications through the store.
The key to the store will be ensuring the quality of the container images, to make sure that all images are up to scratch Docker will be verifying it and the content will include licensing information to support enterprise compliance.
Essentially this is a move to provide piece of mind to enterprises that are planning to use Docker.
One of the additional functions of the store will be to give software makers the opportunity to supply and distribute their containerised code, as long as it is approved by Docker.
The company behind the charge that has helped popularise container technology said that in part this is a response to growing demand and expanded use of Docker.
Docker said that the number of containerised apps has grown 3,000% to 460,000 apps in the last two years and that more than four billion images have now been pulled from the Docker Hub and image repository.
The Docker Store is immediately available in a private beta and to take part people will need to be accepted into the program. Early partners of the store include Chef, New Relic, Citrix, Splunk, and Nginx.
