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We love the help desk feature of the Dell KACE Appliance, and we love being able to deploy small packages campus-wide within two-three days to about 1,400 machines.
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Ron Falkoff, System Analyst
MICDS Technology
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Computers In Motion Acquisition FAQ

What is application virtualization?

Application virtualization is an umbrella term that describes software technologies that improve portability, manageability and compatibility of applications by encapsulating them from the underlying operating system on which they are executed. A fully virtualized application is not installed in the traditional sense, although it is still executed as if it is. The application is fooled at runtime into believing that it is directly interfacing with the original operating system and all the resources managed by it, when in reality it is not. Application virtualization differs from operating system virtualization in that in the latter case, the whole operating system is virtualized rather than only specific applications.

What are some benefits of application virtualization?

A key concept of application virtualization is that virtualized applications operate independent of the operating system and one another. This means regression testing need not be performed to ensure conflicts do not exist. Commonly referred to as “DLL Hell” many applications share files and resources and different applications may require different versions, updating the system accordingly. The result is that the installation of one program breaks another. By isolating applications in a virtual container, such problems become a thing of the past. This concept of isolation presents a number of benefits including the ability to:

  • Easy software distribution and installation
  • Isolate applications from each other
  • Reduce regression testing time
  • Allow multiple versions of apps to run simultaneously
  • Allow for easy rollback to prior versions
  • Allow for easy repair of user changes to settings

How do CiM products differ from that of other application virtualization solutions?

While the underlying technology is largely the same between the various applications virtualization products on the market, our solutions are built with security and manageability in mind.  While there is plenty of benefit provided with application virtualization already, we feel there are some great possibilities for increasing security as well as manageability and our products are created with this in mind.

Who is Computers in Motion and what offerings did they provide?

Founded in 2001, Computers in Motion focuses on making applications easy to distribute and secure through application virtualization technologies. Key offerings include Avispa and SafeContainers for IE which employs application virtualization technology to separate and secure applications (and the changes they may generate) from the operating system.

Why is KACE acquiring CIM?

Software distribution continues to be a top purchasing requirement for systems management solutions. However, even with tools such as the KBOX, software distribution continues to also be considered one of the most challenging of systems management tasks. Application virtualization technology is  widely seen as a very compelling solution to many of the issues that make software distribution complex.   However, while application virtualization provides benefits such as eliminating application conflicts, simplifying deployment and reducing the need for regression testing, it has not been exploited to address other areas to which it is well suited such as application security and data management.  KACE believes application virtualization can be extended to these other desktop management areas to deliver a whole new set of benefits.  Computers in Motion (CIM) will provide the technology underpinnings and development expertise to develop a next generation of application virtualization solution to address both application security (Virtual Browser Kontainers) to support safe browsing and Virtual Data Kontainers for managing, securing and syncing user files.

How are application virtualization and the KACE system management appliance synergistic?

Application virtualization makes application management easier. There are many benefits including:

  • It can offer sandboxed security so that applications can run without modifying the underlying operating system and hence more securely
  • Helps address most Application and OS compatibility concerns
  • Provides the ability to run multiple versions of the same software simultaneously
  • Eliminates the need for traditional installation (keeping the base OS free from changes)

While beneficial to any organization, when combined with the KACE systems management appliance, also known as the KBOX, further benefits from application virtualization can be realized, including the following capabilities:

  • Simple deployment
  • Intelligent updating and synchronization
  • Licensing and execution control
  • Application management for authentication and execution visibility

How are CIM’s technologies complimentary to AppDeploy?

Troubleshooting deployment packages and application compatibility are common tasks of the desktop administrator. AppDeploy provides a place to discuss application deployment challenges, to learn best practices and to discover helpful tools to get the job done.
The Take Control tool from Computers in Motion is an excellent tool for troubleshooting deployment packages and application compatibility and is anticipated to be made available to the AppDeploy community.

What will happen to current CIM offerings?

The application virtualization offerings are being updated and enhanced as the foundation of a new set of solutions called KACE Virtual Kontainers. SafeContainers for IE will provide the technology underpinnings for KACE Virtual Browser Kontainers and Avispa will provide such for KACE Virtual Application Kontainers.
Take Control is expected to be made available to the AppDeploy community.

When will we learn about KACE product directions incorporating CIM technology?

A preview of KACE Virtual Kontainers incorporating CIM technology will be demonstrated at the 2008 VMWorld  on September 15, 2008 in Las Vegas (booth 756).  Availability of KACE management appliances incorporating CIM technology are anticipated in late 2008. 

How will KACE’s offering differ from those from competitors like Microsoft (SoftGrid), Altiris, VMWare (ThinStall), Xenocode, InstallFree, etc?

At its core, these products all provide Application Virtualization benefits. KACE Virtual Kontainers will differentiate itself by extending the technology of Application Virtualization to address other IT pain points. Specifically:

  • Secure Browsing - Virtual Browser Kontainers will offer a safe Internet browsing environment where malware and viruses can be safely contained and discarded within a virtual instance
  • Data Management - Virtual Data Kontainers will provide security and portability with version control, backups and cross-platform syncing

We also intend to do some innovative things in the area of Virtual Kontainer management, but this is an area of focus for most competitors right now—secure browsing and Data management are not (which make them key differentiators for us in the market).