We are pleased to share that VMware App Volumes works natively with Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and it is now possible to try Apps on Demand with remote app streaming! In addition to our two existing Horizon and App Volumes solutions — Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure and Horizon on Azure VMware Solution — Azure administrators can now deploy App Volumes directly in their Microsoft Azure tenant.
App Volumes administrators can package and manage applications separately from the underlying operating system, which allows for more efficient management of virtualized applications. The packaged applications can be used with their Windows multi-session desktop pools to stream them remotely. The Apps on Demand feature of App Volumes lets end users quickly access the applications they need, without having to wait for an installation process. A copy of each installed application is stored separately on a shared storage and dynamically delivered on demand based on user action. This on-demand app deployment approach eliminates the need for complex app packaging and installation on individual user devices, freeing up time and resources for IT to work on more critical tasks.
Using App Volumes 2303, which is generally available, you now have the opportunity to solution preview Apps on Demand with Azure Virtual Desktop remote apps. This new method of deploying App Volumes Manager in Azure is the third of three Azure deployment options for App Volumes and Apps on Demand:
1. Horizon Cloud on Microsoft Azure
Horizon combined with App Volumes on Azure delivers the power of VMware’s virtualization technology with the flexibility and scalability of Microsoft Azure’s cloud infrastructure. With this functionality, businesses can deploy virtual desktops and applications in a cloud-hosted environment, providing a scalable, secure, and flexible solution for end users. App Volumes is seamlessly integrated into the Horizon Cloud control plane so that application administrators have the full power of its app lifecycle management from the same cloud console.
Additionally, Horizon Cloud on Azure includes an App Volumes Capture packaging service, which allows IT administrators to automate the process of creating virtual machines (VMs) to package applications. Anyone using a VM assigned by the IT administrator can quickly capture and package applications without the need for extensive scripting or manual configuration. This approach reduces the time and resources required to create and update packaged applications.
These VHD-packaged applications are ready to be used in Azure with all the ease of management, cost savings, and anywhere access benefits that come from Horizon Cloud on Azure.
2. Horizon on Azure VMware Solution powered by vSphere
Horizon on Azure VMware Solution (AVS) integrates Horizon with Azure, allowing businesses to take advantage of Azure’s scalability, flexibility, and security features. This integration also provides businesses with the ability to easily migrate their on-premises VMware workloads to the cloud.
Additionally, with Horizon on AVS, businesses can maintain a consistent environment between their on-premises infrastructure and their cloud infrastructure. This approach eliminates the need for businesses to manage multiple environments, reducing complexity and making it easier to manage their virtual desktop and VMDK-based application infrastructure. App Volumes is a key part of the Horizon stack and comes with all the Apps on Demand functionality of our on-premises releases. The App Volumes manager integrates directly with the vCenter hypervisor platform, and with Apps on Demand will reconfigure VMs to get users the apps instantly and dynamically when they need them.
3. Solution preview of App Volumes for Azure Virtual Desktop remote app streaming
Remote app streaming enables users to access applications on an as-needed basis, without requiring the applications to be installed locally on their devices or on the image of a multi-session server. Users can access applications remotely through a web browser or a client application.
This allows users to use applications that may not be available or supported on their local devices, such as older or specialized applications, or applications that require high computing resources. Additionally, remote apps can provide greater security for sensitive applications, as the applications and their data remain on the server and are not stored locally on users’ devices. This can reduce the risk of data breaches and other security incidents.
App Volumes eliminates the need to install applications in the Windows image. Instead, with Apps on Demand, the apps are delivered to the server for the user upon launching the application in real time. The user gets an app when they need it without the app rationalization and pre-planning required of admins for typical host pools. Remote apps coupled with App Volumes and its Apps on Demand feature also simplifies application management of app updates. Rolling out a new version of an app to thousands of users is as simple as installing once and moving a marker to indicate the current version.
Once App Volumes Manager is configured for Azure, admins can create Windows multi-session host pools in Azure Virtual Desktop and configure them to receive apps on demand when users need them.
For more information on how to set this up, please see the “App Volumes Manager Deployment Guide for Azure Solution Preview” for details.
If you’re interested in testing out the solution preview for App Volumes and Apps on Demand for Azure Virtual Desktop, you can download App Volumes 2303 to preview this new capability.
