Application virtualization innovator AppZero today announced the release of AppZero 4.6, which widens its support of both Windows and Linux platforms. Decoupling both server-side and client-side applications from the operating system (OS), AppZero makes provisioning of Windows and Linux applications as services almost instantaneous: across a network, on any server (physical or virtual), in the datacenter, hosted, or in the cloud.

AppZero encapsulates an application into a Virtual Application Appliance (VAA) complete with everything it needs to run except for an executing OS. Because the VAA uses the OS on the target machine, the application executes upon delivery, without installation. The result is server applications that are 100% portable, with zero OS foot print, near-native performance, and no cloud or machine lock-in.

“Customers and partners virtualize applications for reasons that go beyond the straight cost-savings of server virtualization. They want to decrease complexity and gain application portability across cloud and datacenter environments. Rapid, simplified deployment is a goal for ISVs as well as for the enterprises they’re selling into,” said AppZero CEO Greg O’Connor, “We’re delivering what customers are telling us they want. In this case, that is simplified Windows application management and a solid Linux offering. Our 4.6 release puts us dead center in the critical mass of IT servers.”

With the December scheduled release of AppZero 4.6, the platform coverage includes:

•     Windows Server – XP, Windows 2003, Vista, Windows 2008, Windows 2008 R2, and Windows 7
•     Windows Desktop – XP, Vista, Windows 7
•     Linux – releases 4.0, 5.4, and 5.5
•     And Solaris 2.6, 2.7, 8,9, and 10 is available for moving aged-out applications to current Solaris hardware

AppZero CTO Bill Cullen commented, “We know that our customers want to move applications across a wide set of the latest platforms – rapidly and easily. This release makes the flexibility that zero-install delivery and application execution brings to their operations and deployment schedules available to a much broadened set of applications. You can’t go wrong listening to your customers.”

AppZero 4.6 is scheduled for general availability in early December.