Introduction:

Application virtualization,is a technique that allows users to access and utilize an application from a computer other than the one on which it is installed. The virtualized software provides the same user experience as the installed program on a physical machine.

Mechanism:

Application virtualization is a technique that deceives a conventional app into thinking it interacts directly with the capabilities of an operating system when it actually does not.

This ploy necessitates the usage of a virtualization layer between the app and the operating system. This layer, or framework, must be able to perform the app's functions virtually and without affecting the OS underneath. The virtualization layer takes over a section of the OS's runtime environment, transparently rerouting files and registry log updates to a single executable file.

By consolidating the app's processes into a single file rather than multiple files scattered across the OS, the app can now run on multiple devices and previously incompatible apps can now coexist.

Desktop virtualization—the isolation of the physical desktop environment and its corresponding app software from the end-user device that accesses it—is used in conjunction with application virtualization.

How it works:

App Management

     i.       Application virtualization makes managing and maintaining apps across an organization easier for IT departments.

    ii.       Instead of manually installing apps on each user's machine, IT administrators can install an app once on a central server and then distribute it as needed on user devices via app virtualization.

   iii.       This not only saves time during installation, but it also makes it easier to update or patch software because IT only needs to deal with one server.

Scalability:

1.  IT administrators can use application virtualization to deliver virtual programs to a variety of linked devices, regardless of their operating systems or storage capacity.

2.  Thin client provisioning allows users to access an application on a low-cost workstation while centralized servers manage all of the computational resources required to run the application.

3.  As a result, the company spends a lot less money on computing hardware because employees just need basic PCs to access the apps they need for their jobs.

4.  Because the program is truly running on the centralized server, users can access applications that would otherwise not operate on their computers' operating systems.

Security:

a.   IT administrators can use application virtualization technologies to control which users have access to which programs.

b.   If a user's app permissions change inside an organization, the IT administrator can simply disable that user's access to an application.

c.   Without app virtualization, the IT administrator would have to remove the app from the user's device physically.

d.   If a user's device is lost or stolen, the IT administrator can cancel remote access to sensitive data without having to trace down the missing device.

Conclusion:

Application virtualization has become a requirement for any company's expansion. We live in a society where "everything as a service" is the norm. Virtualization is transforming all types of technology from hardware to software in a virtualized environment.

App virtualization will almost definitely have a greater long-term impact on businesses by enabling new business models and easing the shift to cloud-based services. However, for application virtualization to be successful, an application virtualization strategy must be integrated into the virtual desktop for a smooth transition.

Sources:

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/application-virtualization-6620436697.html

https://www.veritis.com/solutions/virtualization/application-virtualization-services/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Application_virtualization

https://www.vmware.com/topics/glossary/content/application-virtualization