Let’s start at the basics of App-V. What is does:App-V takes a different approach to application delivery. It streams applications to users when they click on the application icon. This is the user pulling the application on demand vs. IT pushing the application to them on a scheduled basis and impacting their productivity as they wait for installation to complete. We do this through centralized permissioning in Active Directory. Application are assigned to users via Active Directory Security Distribution Group and then are made available via publishing and streaming.With App-V you never install an application because we use isolation (virtual bubbles) that contain all of the file and registry settings. This allows the OS to remain unchanged.Via the default App-V infrastructure we can meter and report on application and license usage by user or application.Benefits:Using App-V streaming for delivery makes the application available immediately and only requires the first 20-40%. There is no waiting for installation.Because App-V isolates the application from the operating system as you move to Window 7 you can create a simple base image that contains only the OS in a pristine state and deliver that applications on demand as needed by the user. This reduces the image size and complexity, reduces the amount of app compatibility testing required as the applications no longer conflict, and enables you to get the operating system deployed more quickly. Finally, App-V can be integrated with your existing PC Lifecycle Management solution so that you can continue to realize the value of the investment. We’ve done the heavy lifting for you and have seamlessly integrated App-V and System Center Configuration Manager already.
App-V Package Accelerators, new in App-V 4.6 SP1, make packaging even large, complex applications easy, fast and predictable. To create an App-V package from an App-V Package Accelerator, an App-V administrator first locates a Package Accelerator for an application she would like to virtualize. She can find an App-V Package Accelerator by searching the Microsoft App-V Package Accelerator Gallery, by contacting her ISV or by asking other App-V Packagers in her company if they have already packaged the application.Using the App-V Sequencer, she combines the Package Accelerator with the original, licensed media for the application. The App-V Sequencer quickly creates an App-V Package directly from the application installation files. Since she doesn’t have to monitor the installation process, package creation from an App-V Package Accelerator is usually many times faster than traditional Sequencing for large, complex applications.Once the package is complete, it is ready for customization or ready to be deployed through the App-V Full Infrastructure, Standalone MSI, System Center Configuration Manager or third party delivery systems.
Don’t confuse MED-V with Microsoft’s consumer and small business compatibility tool, Windows XP Mode. MED-V expands on the capabilities in Windows XP Mode by adding enterprise features such as the ability to use a custom Windows XP image, automated first time setup, control of Internet Explorer URL redirection, automatic network printer mapping and easy packaging for enterprise distribution. Based on customer feedback, we made MED-V 2.0 even easier to use, eliminating the need to install dedicated server infrastructure and providing tighter integration with Windows 7. MED-V 2.0 provides:Support for USB devices, including smart card readersSeamless access to host documents and dataAutomatic application publishing Automatic workspace wake-to-patchEasy to use packaging and configuration wizardWMI monitoring interfaceAutomatic synchronization of host network printers
MED-V 2.0 provides:Support for USB devices, including smart card readersSeamless access to host documents and dataAutomatic application publishing Automatic workspace wake-to-patchEasy to use packaging and configuration wizardWMI monitoring interfaceAutomatic synchronization of host network printers