AdminStudio Delivers First to Market Direct Conversion to Microsoft App-V Format, Dramatically Reducing Implementation Time

Enterprises See Remarkable Savings of Time and Effort When Deploying Virtual Packages


SCHAUMBURG, IL and LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - April 28, 2009) - Acresso Software announced today at the Microsoft Management Summit (MMS) that it has released a first to market capability: AdminStudio can now directly convert existing physical application packages to the virtual format for use with Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V), part of the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, the most broadly distributed application virtualization technology. With the latest release of AdminStudio, organizations can accelerate the creation, testing and management of virtual applications being deployed through App-V, making AdminStudio a beneficial component to enable customers to rapidly prepare virtual applications and expedite App-V implementations.

AdminStudio accelerates virtual deployments by converting applications into the App-V format natively, without the use of the App-V Sequencer. AdminStudio also speeds virtual application packaging and deployment above and beyond the use of the native sequencing process, by offering vital time and effort saving tools, including:

--  an automated process to migrate a single application, a few .EXEs, or
    an entire library of MSI-based applications to the App-V virtual format
    
--  editing and customization of virtual and traditional applications via
    the award-winning InstallShield® technology built into AdminStudio
    
--  a pre-virtualization scan which helps to determine which existing
    applications are the best candidates for virtualization before being
    deployed in a virtual environment
    
--  a combined application catalog to manage package-centric business
    practices, including updates for virtual applications deployed via App-V
    and traditional applications deployed through System Center Configuration
    Manager
    
--  a direct integration with Acresso Workflow Manager, the blueprint tool
    for managing application readiness, application virtualization, OS
    migrations, and other desktop management processes.
    

In beta use, AdminStudio users have seen physical to virtual application conversion times reduced from weeks to just a few hours. AdminStudio automated tools for converting applications, including batch conversion functionality, have migrated application libraries of over 200 applications from the MSI format to the App-V format in less than two hours.

Acresso developed the AdminStudio support for App-V based on a long history of working with Microsoft. As a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and a member of the System Center Alliance, Acresso has a unique development focus on the needs of customers using Microsoft products. Acresso, maker of InstallShield, has been the leader in creating software installations for decades. Acresso leverages this expertise to develop AdminStudio, a key tool for ensuring traditional and virtual deployments run well in the entire enterprise and meet the needs of end users.

"Windows customers realize significant time and cost savings by using App-V. AdminStudio extends these benefits by accelerating the important first step of preparing and a creating virtual application -- which helps IT more quickly and reliably implement App-V," said Karri Alexion-Tiernan, Director of Product Management for App-V, Microsoft Corporation.

"AdminStudio's direct conversion of existing MSI packages to the App-V format enables organizations to leverage the investment they have already made in physical application packaging on their path to virtual applications, and does so using a familiar and proven interface," said Steve Schmidt, Vice President of Product Management for Acresso. "Acresso is very proud to be first to market with this revolutionary technology."

About AdminStudio

Over 10,000 enterprises use AdminStudio, recognized as the most widely utilized solution in the market for traditional and virtual application readiness. AdminStudio hands off completed packages to all leading distribution systems, including Microsoft's System Center Configuration Manager, Novell's ZENworks, LANDesk's Management Suite, and many others. When coupled with the Workflow Manager Web-based process management solution, enterprises can quickly establish efficient processes around application readiness.

About Acresso Software

Acresso Software provides solutions that power the business of software for multiple customer segments, including hardware and software producers, engineers and developers, helping them uncover revenue opportunities, streamline their infrastructure and reduce costs. The company's proven solutions, including the FLEXnet, AdminStudio and InstallShield product lines, have been simplifying the business relationship between software and hardware producers and their enterprise and government customers for more than 20 years. Acresso maximizes the value of the software the world develops and uses. For more information, please go to: www.acresso.com.

Supporting Materials for MMS Journalists:

-- MMS Session TS31, Partner Technical Showcase, " Efficiently Managing Your Desktop Strategy for Application Virtualization," with Samit Patel, 11:45am MDT, Wednesday, April 29, Room San Paolo, The Venetian Resort & Hotel

-- Visit Acresso Software at Booth 536 of the MMS Expo Hall

Supporting Materials for All Journalists:

-- AdminStudio datasheet

-- Virtual Applications, Real Advantages white paper

-- Benchmark of AdminStudio application virtualization support

-- AdminStudio product demonstration

Contact Information: Media Contacts: Eastwick Communications (650) 480-4040 acresso@eastwick.com