Desktop Optimization Pack

The Desktop Optimization Pack is a set of PC management utilities available to companies on a subscription basis. It is only available to organizations that have Software Assurance coverage for the Windows client OS. The current version (released in the fourth quarter of 2008) is labeled 2008 R2 and has five components.

Application Virtualization (App-V, based on the acquired Softricity SoftGrid for Desktops) lets applications run in an isolated environment on each user’s computer and can deploy and update the applications from centrally managed servers. It is designed to make desktop management easier and less expensive by reducing conflicts between applications and allowing applications to be streamed from servers so that users always have the most current versions. The current version is App-V 4.5, which was released in Sept. 2008.

Asset Inventory Service (AIS, based on tools acquired with AssetMetrix) helps inventory software (such as OSs, commercial applications, and custom software) installed on PCs and mobile devices and can reconcile Microsoft software inventory data with actual purchases. This information is helpful for assessing software license compliance, utilization, and conformance to corporate policy (e.g., discovering instances of unsanctioned software), as well as assisting in software purchase forecasting and budgeting. The current version, AIS 1.5, was released in Nov. 2008.