Any application, on any machine, at any time... This is the promise of Microsoft SoftGrid v4.In SoftGrid's merging of software and utility, applications are de-coupled from operating systems to make them mobile and stateless, so they can be deployed where they need to be – in real-time. But how it works? Let's have a brief look....

Step 1 - Virtualise your application

First launch SoftGrid Sequencer, install your application in the same way it would be installed on your users' computers. Sequencer inspects the processes and builds its asset configuration such as files, registry settings for SystemGuard environment. Then run your application, during the the execution of your application sequencer ensures the integrity of the virtualisation process and verifies how your application interacts with the operating system.

Then use SoftGrid Sequencer to produce a SoftGrid (SFT) file containing the compressed data files of the sequenced application and the SystemGuard configuration for that application. The Sequencer also outputs an XML descriptor file used to manage, distribute and activate the application.

Finally publish your application to the SoftGrid Virtual Application Server. From there, it is delivered on-demand to your end users who are granted access rights to that application. The efficiency of the random-access file transport ensures the application launches with minimal network traffic.

Step 2 - Stream your applications On-demand

First assign end users access to an application. A shortcut icon to the application then automatically appears on the SoftGrid client desktop of each end user. When your users click the shortcut, the user issues a request from the SoftGrid client to the SoftGrid Server, which authenticates and authorizes the user to run the application based on license assignment and access rights.

After authentication is successful, the SoftGrid client "pulls" components of the application to the Windows desktop or Terminal Services server. Once enough code has been cached, the application will launch and the user can begin interaction. The application runs locally within SystemGuard, protecting the host OS and other applications.

Finally when a session ends, SystemGuard locally caches application code, settings and profiles. The SoftGrid Server records usage data, including application, user, time and length of use, to an ODBC data store.

Step 3 - Operate and Manage your virtual platform

SoftGrid provides all tools to operate and manage your environment smoothly. You can remotely control SoftGrid Clients, enforce policies, monitor and report real-time on users and applications.

Interested? You should be... 

Watch the movie "The Soft Grid: The Future of Software" and check out the SoftGrid website for more details...