The Modern Workplace
Microsoft describes the Modern Workplace as “empowering users to work the way they want”. As the Modern Workplace often has a modern (hybrid) architecture, it also requires a modern approach when it comes to managing its applications. Think: modular, context-aware, flexible, cloud-ready, user-centric, and secure.
In this whitepaper, we provide an overview of how application management has evolved to this day, including the limitations with regards to application delivery on the modern workspace. We provide insight in how application layering can help future-proofing your digital workspace.
The significant role of Application Layering
Application layering can play an important role in the modern workspace by addressing application delivery and -management challenges. With application layering, applications are separated from the underlying OS which allows for independent management of these applications. A few benefits:
- Compatibility and flexibility: modern workspace environments often consist of diverse devices, operating systems, and software versions. Application layering helps address compatibility challenges by decoupling applications from the underlying OS. Applications can be packaged once and delivered to multiple OS platforms without the need for separate installations or modifications. This approach enhances flexibility in deploying applications across various endpoints (physical/virtual/cloud).
- Rapid and user-centric application deployment: application layering enables faster and more efficient application deployment in the modern workspace. Pre-configured application layers can be created, tested, and updated independently of the underlying OS or other applications. When a user or group needs access to an application, the corresponding application layer can be assigned or delivered quickly, minimizing deployment time and reducing disruption to end-user productivity. It also allows for coexistence of applications.
Enhanced security trough updates and patches: application layering simplifies the process of updating and patching applications. IT administrators can update a specific application layer without affecting the OS, other applications or opening the Image. This reduces the time and effort required for patch management and ensures that updates can be delivered quickly and efficiently.
Simplified migrations and OS upgrades: when migrating to new operating systems or upgrading existing ones, application layering simplifies the process. Since applications are in a separate layer, organizations can update or migrate the OS layer while keeping the application layer intact. This approach reduces the complexity and effort required for migration, accelerates the upgrade process, and minimizes disruptions to end-user productivity.
In summary, application layering provides the tools to modernize application management and delivering a more agile and user-friendly computing environment.
FlexApp application layering
Having a platform-agnostic approach in mind, Liquidware developed its own application layering solution FlexApp. Packaged in FlexApp, applications are decoupled from the OS, allowing administrators to update and assign applications to users without changing any base images. The applications look and interact as if they were traditionally installed on the OS, without polluting the OS. With FlexApp, applications can be packaged automatically, significantly fewer images are required, application delivery is simplified and security is increased. FlexApp is platform-independent and can deliver applications to all Windows workstations.
FlexApp attaches applications into a Windows environment on-demand.
Applications look and interact as if they are natively installed into the OS.
Apps can be packaged automatically, based on a PowerShell driven API.
Applications become portable application layers that can be assigned by group, department, or context-based.
Applications are delivered platform agnostic, as FlexApp supports all workspaces.
With App-V becoming end-of-life soon, many organizations are looking into alternatives. According to the “Application Compatibility Matrix” of ApplicationReadiness, FlexApp has the highest compatibility rate compared to MSIX and even App-V. Make sure to review application layering as a solution to enhance and future-proof your application management practice!
See how it works?
We’d love to show you how FlexApp works in practice or to think along about your Application Management strategy Just leave your contact details and we will come back to you a.s.a.p.!