AppSense, the leading provider of user virtualization technology, today announced the free version of AppSense Strata, a suite of product technology that enables true user freedom by providing them the ability to install and manage their own applications in an isolated environment without needing admin rights. After installation the applications are then seamlessly re-delivered back to their desktop. Currently the product is in beta and will be generally available in early 2012.

IT departments are increasingly tasked with delivering more applications to diverse and demanding users in various locations on a wide spectrum of devices including those owned or introduced by the user. To date the user freedom and flexibility portion has been missing, but Strata effectively addresses this issue. AppSense Strata redefines the IT service and support cost model by allowing users to quickly install and manage the applications they require without the need to grant them administrative rights.

"User managed applications are the missing piece of the desktop management puzzle, whether the desktop be virtual, physical or mobile or mixed," said Simon Bramfitt, founder and principal analyst at Entelechy Associates. "With this capability the full potential of the desktop can be made reality, dramatically lowering management costs and improving user experience without compromising security."

AppSense Strata extends the AppSense User Virtualization Platform by enabling users to install their personal productivity applications, thereby giving the user the flexibility while enabling maximum productivity. Additionally, the technology is not a replacement but rather a complement to application virtualization products as it empowers the user to install individual applications outside of the gold build to boost productivity without impacting desktop security.

“AppSense Strata is for organizations wanting to control IT costs while simultaneously giving users the freedom they require to be productive,” said Harry Labana, CTO at AppSense. “A true user virtualization platform must provide a solution to manage the user apps layer that gives users flexibility but does not require IT to relinquish any control over the desktop. The majority of users want to install personal applications in addition to the pre-existing ones given to them by their IT department."

Availability

AppSense Strata is currently in private beta. The public beta version will be available in the first quarter of 2012.