VMware launches new version of ThinApp

VMware has upgraded its ThinApp application virtualisation software in order to incorporate support for Microsoft Windows 7 and Server 2008 R2, according to a company blog. ThinApp 4.5, which VMware is calling the most significant application virtualisation update since its debut in 2008.

The version also includes a facility called Relink that enables users to automatically allow bexisting ThinApp applications to run under Windows 7, without the need for any rebuilding, offering a speedy way to upgrade all packages that are needed. VMware said that Relink would also create a backup of files it upgrades.

VM claimed that there were significant other improvements to the software. It said that startup time times were much faster, claiming that PowerPoint 2007 would load in half the time of previous versions of ThinApp. VMware said that there had also been improvements to the way that I/O was utilised. By reducing the number of I/O writes, companies will be to support larger numbers of users per storage array. ThinApp 4.5 also uses less bandwidth per application said VMware.

Finally, VMware said it had made improvements to the reporting software by with the launch of a new feature called iQuality Reporting that delivers metrics on operating system, application, inventory and application executions to the ThinApp user.