Bake-off: Application Virtualization

The Bottom Line
While all three application virtualization solutions provide numerous features, only the Thinstall/LANDesk technology was flexible enough to work in virtually any environment, making it the top performer.

Solution providers can rapidly adopt the Thinstall Application Virtualization technology to work through the Web or inside highly secured corporate networks. Thinstall works in user mode so little testing is required to run virtually any application. Since most of the technologies are complementary, engineers recommend looking at ways of combining AppStream and Thinstall.

Another good option is Altiris/AppStream. Both products provide a robust corporate-centric SaaS delivery solution. Still, the solution needs a client-side tool to manage applications. It also lost ground because the solution isn't entirely intuitive.

With Citrix, solution providers have all of the components needed to stream and manage virtualized applications in corporate environments. However, managing a Citrix application virtualization infrastructure requires running numerous server commands, including changing local settings on clients.

Overall, Thinstall's technology is the most versatile. Whether it's sourced from Thinstall or LANDesk, it's a solution provider's best choice for application virtualization.

Shopping The Ingredients

VENDOR: AppStream Palo Alto, Calif. (650) 251-2500 www.appstream.com • PRODUCT: AppStream • LIST PRICE: Not disclosed. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: 35% margins. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: 15 to 20 • PROGRAM COSTS: $1,500. • DISTRIBUTORS: Synnex.

VENDOR: Citrix Systems Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (954) 267-3000 www.citrix.com • PRODUCT: Citrix Presentation Server • LIST PRICE: Starts at $350 per concurrent user. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: 10% margins. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: Not disclosed. • PROGRAM COSTS: Silver: $995, Gold: $4,095, Platinum: free, by invitation only. • DISTRIBUTORS: Ingram Micro, Alternative Technology, Avnet.

VENDOR: LANDesk South Jordan, Utah. (800) 982-2130 www.landesk.com • PRODUCT: LANDesk Application Virtualization • LIST PRICE: Not disclosed. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: 18% to 22% margins. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: 100+. • PROGRAMS COSTS: None. • DISTRIBUTORS: CDW, CompuCom, Ingram Micro, Insightt

VENDOR: Symantec Lindon, Utah. (801) 226-8506 www.altiris.com • PRODUCT: Altiris Software Virtualization Solution • LIST PRICE: $55 per node with discounts available. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: 6% to 25% margins. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: 200 • PROGRAMS COSTS: $4,000 for training. • DISTRIBUTORS: Ingram Micro

VENDOR: Thinstall San Francisco (415) 533-0464 www.thinstall.com • PRODUCT: Thinstall Virtualization Suite • LIST PRICE: Package for unlimited amount of apps: %5,000; $23 to $39 per device. • PARTNER INCENTIVES: Up to 30% margins. • PROGRAM PARTNERS: 15 • PROGRAMS COSTS: None. • DISTRIBUTORS: Lifeboat