Unlike in server virtualization, where it is a guest operating system that is loaded inside the virtualization layer, with desktop streaming it is an application that is wrapped into a virtualized package and then streamed on-demand to a user.
The SoftGrid platform at the heart of the Softricity portfolio is designed to turn Windows applications into centrally managed virtual services that can be accessed by any Windows desktop, laptop, or server. Any Windows application can be delivered to a desktop in a container or virtualized image that does not interfere with or require interaction with the base operating system.
In this way, SoftGrid allows application processes to run on a local machine using local resources, with only part of the application being cached. It is claimed that the SoftGrid system has so far been deployed across 250,000 seats.
The system is intended to make it easier for IT managers to control diverse software assets by standardizing application deployment, upgrades, patching, and deprovisioning processes. As such, the technique promises to reduce the desktop maintenance burden with the actual process of deploying new applications made much simpler through application virtualization as well.
A latest version that runs alongside Microsoft SMS allows virtualized desktop packages, or sequenced applications in Softricity speak, to be distributed, discovered, and metered using Microsoft’s systems management suite.
Boston, Massachusetts-based Softricity launched Version 4 of its SoftGrid product in March at the Microsoft Management Summit in San Diego. At the time David Greschler, co-founder and now VP of marketing for Softricity, told us that changes made for the latest version accelerated the time in which applications can be sequenced. A desktop application set like Microsoft Office now takes only 10 minutes to virtualize, it is claimed.
A next stage of its product development is a planned ZeroTouch release, a self-service application provisioning tool that will allow users to get any set of Windows applications from any place through a standard web browser.
It is expected that the Softricity product set will be incorporated as a feature set of SMS 2003 R2, and become available in time for any organization planning enterprise desktop migration to projects Windows Vista.
Systems management software supplier Altiris has recently moved into the desktop application streaming sector space with its Software Virtualization Solution, which has just appeared in the level 2 release of the Altiris Client Management suite. Likewise, Citrix is developing an application streaming proposition with its Tarpon development. Both will now face a considerably bigger market challenge from the Softricity software now that it is to be sold and marketed by Microsoft.
Details of the acquisition were not disclosed. A year ago, 120-strong Softricity closed a $15m round of funding which was led by Meritech Capital supported by other existing Softricity investors, FA Technology Ventures, Hunt Ventures, Longworth Venture Partners, Prism Venture Partners, TD Capital Ventures, and Technology Link Capital.
