Omnissa App Volumes Expands Support to Physical PCs for Unified Application Delivery

Omnissa, the company that emerged from VMware's end-user computing division, has expanded its App Volumes product to support physical PCs. This strategic move aims to extend the benefits of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) application management to a broader range of devices, including traditional desktops and laptops.
Understanding App Volumes
App Volumes is designed to streamline application delivery and lifecycle management by decoupling applications from the underlying operating system. Traditionally, it has been utilized in VDI environments to deliver applications in real-time, reducing the need for multiple desktop images and simplifying updates. By packaging applications into virtual disks (VMDK or VHD files), App Volumes allows for efficient, on-demand application provisioning.
Extension to Physical Endpoints
With the release of version 2412, App Volumes introduced support for physical Windows endpoints. This enhancement enables organizations to deliver applications to physical desktops and laptops using the same packaging and delivery mechanisms previously reserved for virtual environments. The key to this functionality is the introduction of MSI-wrapped VHD packages, which can be deployed through existing device management solutions such as Omnissa Workspace ONE UEM, Microsoft Intune, and Microsoft Configuration Manager. This approach allows the App Volumes agent to operate independently, facilitating seamless application delivery across diverse device types.
Technical Implementation
The process of deploying App Volumes to physical endpoints involves several steps:

• App Volumes Agent Installation: The agent is installed on the target physical device. During installation, administrators have the option to configure the agent without connecting to an App Volumes Manager, which is particularly useful for standalone physical deployments.
• Application Packaging: Applications are captured and packaged using App Volumes Tools. The packaging process generates an MSI file alongside traditional VHD and VMDK formats. This MSI package is essential for delivering applications to physical endpoints.
• Deployment via Management Solutions: The MSI packages are distributed to physical devices using enterprise management solutions. These tools handle the deployment and ensure that the App Volumes Agent is present on the endpoint before application delivery.

This methodology ensures that applications are delivered efficiently and consistently across both virtual and physical environments, leveraging existing management infrastructures.
Benefits and Considerations
The expansion of App Volumes to physical devices offers several advantages:

• Unified Application Management: Organizations can manage applications across virtual and physical devices using a single platform, reducing complexity and administrative overhead.
• Cost Efficiency: By decoupling applications from the operating system, App Volumes reduces the need for multiple desktop images, leading to lower storage and operational costs.
• Enhanced Security: The ability to deliver applications on-demand minimizes the attack surface, as applications are only present when needed.

However, there are considerations to keep in mind:

• Infrastructure Requirements: Implementing App Volumes on physical devices requires a compatible management solution and proper configuration of the App Volumes Agent.
• Training and Adoption: IT teams may require training to effectively deploy and manage applications using this new approach.

Industry Context
Omnissa's move aligns with a broader industry trend of extending VDI technologies to physical devices. Competitors like Citrix have also developed solutions that bridge the gap between virtual and physical application delivery, indicating a growing demand for unified application management across diverse environments.
Conclusion
Omnissa's extension of App Volumes to physical PCs represents a significant advancement in application management. By leveraging existing VDI technologies, organizations can achieve a more streamlined, cost-effective, and secure approach to delivering applications across their entire device fleet. As the digital workspace continues to evolve, such innovations will be crucial in meeting the demands of modern IT environments.

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Source: theregister.com Omnissa brings VDI-style app packaging to physical PCs