"What would you say if I were to tell you that migrating to a virtual desktop was no different than if you were going to migrate to Windows 7?” What a great question! Daniel Feller from Citrix explains in more detail in his blog post & his session this week at #BriForum  “Windows 7 and the Virtual Desktop Revolution.”

App-DNA™ also sees the similarities in virtual projects and Windows 7 migrations. Both have hurdles to clear, especially around application compatibility. The AppTitude™ application testing and application remediation software includes an Overview Summary Report – a dashboard that helps you clearly see where apps will be successful – if they won’t run well on Windows 7, will they run well on XenApp or App-V as an alternative?

Whenever we’re out with enterprise IT groups, talking with Windows 7 project managers or application virtualization user groups, we try to show them the AppTitude dashboard for determining the best platform and delivery model for each application. Usually eyes open wider, everyone steps in for a closer look, and the questions start rolling. It was one of my favorite AppTitude views to show last week at Microsoft #TechEd – so many project leaders are just now learning there is an automated approach to application compatibility – and determining what apps will be successful on what platforms. Take a look, let us know how you’d find this useful for the common bonds in your Windows 7 and application virtualization projects, either in the comments or via info@app-dna.com   

Exciting stuff happening here, App-DNA™ has just launched AppTitude™ v.4.5 and have added some great new features that will improve the ease of install and setup as well as scalability and reporting.

Added Application Compatibility Checks

·         Server 2008 R2 – The all new Server 2008 R2 module now allows organizations to check compatibility on the latest Windows Server build. 

·         App-V related checks – will reflect added App-V 4.6 capability for x64 bit apps.  We've also added some cool stuff to detect app dependencies that will help you to determine if you need to implement DSC (Dynamic Suiting Capability).

·         XenApp Streamed related checks – Will reflect added functionality delivered in XenApp 6.0 for capturing services, as well as minor tweaks to show compatibility with 16 bit DOS apps and handling of 64 bit apps.

Improved Installer and all new  “AppTitude Web Server”

·         Faster and simpler setup experience for new users

·         New "AppTitude Configuration" tool to assist in modifying server and client settings

·         System Check facility to verify successful setup of the web service

·         Now you can opt for an “express” alternative to IIS by choosing to install the AppTitude Web Server (for fast setup of local implementations)

More Scalable Reporting

·         Ability to define the number of applications to view in one page in the Assessment view ( very handy for large app portfolios)

New Remediation Level Action Reporting

·         Shows actions required to remediate each app for better remediation reports

·         This will help to get a better idea of how much work is actually involved in getting an app remediated

·         Gives users a way to add their own remediation actions – increases accuracy

Site & Database Switcher – connect to multiple AppTitude DBs

·         A new function within the AppTitude console under the Administration tab that will allow customers to easily add a new AppTitude database, export this and import to any clients required.

·         Improves ease of scalability

·         Once setup, the AppTitude Administrator can export the settings and send the XML config file to the appropriate users to very quickly get them ready to work on the new account.

Updated Import Screen

·         More scalable importing – no limit to the number of apps that can be queued to import

·         Improved layout of import screen -- ability to filter by column (import & export defined filters)

License Transfer – Between Machines

·         Easier to transfer AppTitude licenses from one machine to another

·         Faster, easier and more flexible management of licenses

·         New report navigation system

Auto Unlocker for Licenses:  to select a representative sample of apps

·         Helps select which apps to unlock in the "Apply Licenses" view

·         The result will be a 'random' selection of Red, Amber and Green applications in a defined ratio across all modules that are licensed

If you are one of our partners, check out the webcast on new features through the partner portal site:

http://portal.app-dna.com/Download.aspx#

Citrix Synergy was a fantastic event last week. Citrix billed it as “the convergence between virtualization, networking and cloud computing and how it can solve real business problems” -- the event lived up to that and more. At Synergy, App-DNA™ talked with IT leaders about application compatibility and application remediation for Windows 7 projects, Citrix server migrations, XenApp work and more.  App-DNA is truly enjoying the interest brought by winning the Citrix Synergy Best of Show and Process Improvement Awards, but with that buzz comes many questions.  We wanted to answer the top questions we heard at Synergy, but also welcome more questions in the blog comments or via Twitter @appdna – we’ll answer them as fast as possible.

1.       Tell me more about what App-DNA does again? 

App-DNA designs, builds and sells the AppTitude™ software, which provides application compatibility, testing and remediation for enterprises adopting technologies like Windows 7, Citrix XenApp, Microsoft App-V, 64bit, Windows Server 2008 or IE8. Using AppTitude helps organizations avoid the expense and delay of traditional manual brute force based testing and cuts the time, cost and risks associated with deployment of OS migrations, software upgrades, and virtualization projects. App-DNA works directly with IT organizations and through worldwide SI partners and regional SI partners.

2.       How is AppTitude used for more than Windows 7 projects?

App compat is definitely a hot topic for Windows 7 projects, but application remediation is also vital for

-  App-V and XenApp projects  - determine the success rate of applications before you Sequence or Profile them, saving hours of testing and unnecessary tedious iterations.  Understand the potential issues with a package and address them in the initial package creation process

-  64-bit projects – whether Windows or in the data center

-  Server based computing, whether Windows Server 2008, XenApp, Terminal Services project

-  IE8 projects- still in beta, but consider how many web apps you’re looking to migrate? Test their compatibility before they go to IE8.

-  Business as Usual –new apps are added to your enterprise all the time, you need to ensure they will work well

-  Determining what technology to use for specific applications – AppTitude can show you the “best fit” – if an app won’t run well on Windows 7, should you try it on XenApp or App-V?  The understanding of how to best deliver an application in your enterprise environment will go a very long way when it comes to moving away from the physical desktop and organizations start leveraging technologies that provide virtual desktops such as XenClient.

3.       How do you align with the app compat info like Microsoft ACT and the Citrix XenApp compatibility list?

AppTitude complements the information that you find in the available tools. In fact, in addition to the information that App-DNA has collected over years of experience and the intelligence determined by our “DNA” research about the applications, AppTitude looks to external data sources like Microsoft ACT and the Microsoft app compat white list.  App-DNA is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Citrix parter ( Citrix consultants use AppTitude in the field), so we work closely with both companies. For more information, check out this video featuring Chris Jackson, Microsoft’s “app compat guy.”

4.       Okay, where can I see App-DNA and AppTitude?

Check out these videos:

-  If you have 5 minutes: CitrixTV recorded an AppTitude demo at Citrix Synergy

-  If you have 15 minutes:  BrianMadden.com recorded an AppTitude demo at the Microsoft MMS conference

-  If you speak French: here’s a demo from Microsoft TechDays in Paris

-  If you’re interested in server management: view this Dublin PubForum overview

-  If you want a full web demo from AppDNA, contact us using the information below

If you’re attending Microsoft #TechEd, App-DNA will be exhibiting at booth #2244. Stop by and share your app compat questions and see AppTitude in action.

Intrigued? More questions? Use the comments, Twitter @appdna or contact us at info@app-dna.com

The App-DNA team is finalizing plans for Citrix Synergy 2010. We look forward to talking application compatibility, application remediation, application delivery and application management with Citrix XenApp users as well as enterprises planning Windows 7, App-V and 64-bit migrations.  We’re extremely excited that App-DNA is a semi-finalist for the Best of Synergy Process Improvement Award.  (shameless plug: Vote HERE for the Best of Synergy Award )  

 App-DNA is talking with enterprise customers and SI partners about forward-thinking combinations of technologies such as physical application delivery, virtual application delivery and other subsets of VDI delivery models. Synergy is always packed with content and excellent conversations about your migration and BAU projects, here are just some of the events where App-DNA will be learning more about Citrix projects in progressive enterprises and new Citrix technologies.

Tuesday, May 11

The insider's view on application and desktop virtualization – Harry Labana shared his pre-Synergy demo testing on his video blog this week, whetting our appetite for the demos and new information.

Wednesday, May 12

Keynote: Mark Templeton’s vision of desktop computing + demos of new Citrix technologies = a great way to start Synergy.

Management simplified with XenApp – After the MMS announcement of more integration between Microsoft System Center and Citrix XenApp, this should be a great session. Learn more about XenApp 6, Windows Server 2008, System Center and 64-bit environments at this presentation from Citrix’s Orestes Melgarejo and Microsoft’s Sean Donahue. Be sure to catch Sean’s occasional postings on the MDOP Team Blog.

Gathering intelligence for your virtual desktop initiative – Application readiness is a key step in planning virtualization projects. Empowering enterprises with “DNA” about applications – and the success those applications will have on a virtual technology – means faster and better testing and eventual conversion of applications to the Citrix XenApp Profile or Microsoft App-V SFT format. Interested in hearing your questions on virtual desktop initiatives...

Thursday, May 13

Keynote – what a busy morning! Michael Dell from Dell, IDC Chief Analyst Frank Gens, Brad Anderson from Microsoft, and the announcement of the Best of Synergy Award from the Computerworld and Citrix teams. Don’t miss the keynotes that everyone will be talking about from Synergy.

15 reasons desktop virtualization projects fail – Expect a packed house for Brian Madden and Gabe Knuth. App-DNA hears from customers that app compat is one reason virtualization projects fail—and we help them fix it. We’re interested in a lively discussion in this session!

Also, don’t forget Geek Speak Live, after-hours events, plus the Hands-on Learning Labs! Be sure to book time to stop by App-DNA Expo Booth #530 to see AppTitude™ in action. Want to set a specific time to meet with App-DNA? Contact info@app-dna.com  

What sessions are on your Citrix Synergy schedule? Comment on your picks.  

Great write up from Network World here, as they revisit the organisations they singled out as ones to watch back in 2008.

Denise Dubie picks out highlights including our global framework agreements with both Microsoft and Citrix, read more here - http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/nsm/2009/121409nsm1.html?hpg1=bn