Softricity Announces Virtualization Solution for Web Applications

Market Wire, October, 2004

Softricity today announced an extension to its award-winning application virtualization platform with SoftGrid for Web Applications. The new addition to the platform solves management and compatibility problems associated with web applications by transforming their locally-installed supporting components -- such as the Java Virtual Machine and plug-ins -- into fully portable, self-contained programs that can be centrally deployed on-demand to any Windows computer and run without conflict.

"The dream of web applications -- no local install, browser-independent, centrally managed -- has turned into a nightmare for many of our customers. Not only do most sophisticated web apps need locally installed programs like Java and plug-ins like Flash, we're discovering that each end-user has a different version of these components that either conflict or simply break the web apps," said David Greschler, VP Corporate Marketing, Softricity. "SoftGrid's virtualization means we can now deliver the necessary applications needed for each web app, even if other versions of those components have been installed locally by the end user."

"In North America, 50 to 70 percent of the five-year-cost structure of a Web-based application is very likely attributable to staff-related costs, such as administration, operations, installation and support," said Dan Kusnetzky, IDC's VP of system software research. "Approaches, such as Softricity's solution for virtualizing all of the necessary client-side components of a Web-based application, are ways organizations could directly address those cost factors and reduce them."

Web Application Delivery Complexities

Deploying web applications is difficult because so many variables affect whether they will collide with other components on the computer. Many web applications not only require a specific version of Java, but also specific plug-ins, security settings, browser toolbar configurations, and other dependencies such as Flash. Serious challenges arise when trying to deliver a web application to PCs where these components already reside, but are not the same versions as those required by the new web application. Because multiple versions of the same software cannot run side-by-side, it causes the applications to crash or simply not run.

Also, some web applications may also require stricter security settings when used as the shell of the web application as opposed to being used for normal Internet browsing. Until now, this has been impossible as only one instance of a browser's security settings can reside on a computer.

SoftGrid for Web Applications

SoftGrid for Web Apps solves all these problems. It transforms web applications from products and components that must be locally installed into virtual services that are centrally managed and deployed to any Windows desktop, laptop or Terminal Services/Citrix server. With SoftGrid, applications do not write files directly to the operating system files, but instead redirects them to its virtual "sandbox," Softricity's patented protective run-time environment called SystemGuard(TM), which executes programs without altering the host computer. This application sandboxing isolates these programs on the client, enabling them to run side-by-side with any other application or component without conflict or changing locally installed applications.

Benefits include:

--  All web dependencies are included inside a single SoftGrid file and
    delivered on demand instead of IT counting on the target computers having
    the right applications and plug-ins.
--  Web application plug-ins, settings, and Java revisions are centrally
    updated automatically whenever there is a change.
--  Through SystemGuard, a web application browser instance may have its
    required Java version, plugs-ins, security settings, etc., regardless of
    what is locally loaded on the PC.
--  No changes are made to the PC's configuration. The local browser
    instance retains its original settings and utilizes local Java, in parallel
    with the web application's unique settings and Java version.
--  The only footprint required on the client PC is the SoftGrid client.
    

"Our core SoftGrid platform is helping many organizations solve critical deployment and management problems for Windows applications. While this saves them significant time and money, many also need -- and have requested -- the same type of help for web-based apps," said Harry Ruda, CEO, Softricity. "SoftGrid for Web Apps enables them to finally overcome the critical challenges inherent in trying to deliver web applications to a wide range of PCs, in a way that is simple, cost-effective and tremendously efficient."

About Softricity:

Softricity helps enterprises simplify and accelerate software management with SoftGrid, the industry's first application virtualization platform. The award-winning SoftGrid utility computing solution transforms applications from products that must be installed locally into virtual services that are centrally managed and deployed on-demand to any Windows desktop, laptop and Terminal Services/Citrix MetaFrame Presentation server. By eliminating application conflicts and regression testing, and increasing change management responsiveness, SoftGrid expedites deployment, upgrades, patches and terminations. Global 2000 companies such as Prudential, AIG, ABM Industries, and Raytheon use SoftGrid to save tremendous time and money, enhance IT service quality, and transform into more dynamic businesses. Softricity has a multiyear Strategic Alliance with Microsoft Corp., is a Microsoft Terminal Services Industry Partner and is a Premier Citrix Business Alliance Member. More information can be found at http://www.softricity.com.