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Azure Virtual Desktop Blog
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App attach now integrates with partner solutions

JimMoyle's avatar
JimMoyle
Icon for Microsoft rankMicrosoft
Nov 01, 2024

For many IT admins, application delivery management is one of their most complex tasks. However, with the recent general availability of App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop, this process has become significantly easier. App attach simplifies application delivery administration by enabling dynamic application attachment from an application package to a user session in Azure Virtual Desktop. This solution has been gaining momentum, with numerous organizations embracing it to lower the burden on admins, while enabling granular, secured application assignment to employees.

As organizations continue their digital transformation, many admins find themselves managing on-premises applications for their existing virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) environments even as they are moving their organizations to the cloud. As a result, admins must often use multiple tools for application delivery, creating a new layer of unwelcome complexity.

We are excited to announce that Liquidware, Numecent, and Omnissa are launch partners that have integrated their application delivery solutions with App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop. Integrating the solution with three of the top application delivery providers will offer substantial benefits to admins in organizations of all sizes. Additionally, the App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop API is publicly available, allowing providers to take advantage of this integration for enhanced application delivery.

The benefits of solution integration

Solution integration offers two significant benefits: simplified application delivery management and increased application mobility.

Simplified application delivery management

Admins can more easily run and deliver apps on Azure Virtual Desktop in the Microsoft Azure cloud thanks to a streamlined tracking and delivery system. This system offers a unified management console that provides a centralized point of control for all applications, simplifying the administrative workload. With this “single pane of glass” approach, administrators can efficiently track and manage apps from one place, no matter where those apps are deployed.

Increased application mobility

Migrating on-premises apps to Azure can be a daunting task. However, by leveraging the power of the integration of App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop with the app delivery solutions provided by leading partners, the process for admins to transfer their on-premises applications to Azure is streamlined. This helps address such common challenges as data transfer, synchronization, and maintaining security and compliance standards. The integration with Azure Virtual Desktop ensures that app delivery is consistent and efficient across all environments.

Application delivery partner benefits

Liquidware FlexApp containerizes applications into self-sufficient executables, enabling rapid deployment through various methods, including popular cloud file-sharing services. It is designed for use with any Windows desktop including cloud-hosted virtualization.

"FlexApp’s seamless integration with App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop empowers organizations to manage applications without adding complexity for end users. FlexApp helps customers achieve increased compatibility for attached apps. Our technology delivers apps that feel native while reducing IT overhead, making it a game changer for IT teams and end users alike." – Jason E. Smith, Vice President, Alliances and Product Marketing, Liquidware

Numecent Cloudpager makes it easy to create, automate, and manage desktop application configurations from the cloud. Delivered as a fully managed software-as-a-service (SaaS) solution, users can leverage the latest Windows technologies to enhance their virtual desktop environments.

"Cloudpager enables seamless provisioning of complex legacy, custom, and resource-intensive apps to any Windows desktop, including non-persistent Azure Virtual Desktop environments, securely and compliantly. App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop integration provides customers with even more flexibility around deploying applications to Microsoft Azure." – Arthur Hitomi, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Numecent

Omnissa App Volumes (formerly VMware App Volumes) is a real-time delivery and lifecycle management solution that provides faster app delivery and simplified and unified management of apps and users. Enterprises can use App Volumes to centrally manage applications that are deployed to desktops via virtual disks.

"Expanding our partnership with Microsoft to integrate App Volumes with App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop adds even more value for customers, streamlining app management and cutting costs. Our teams have worked together to deliver this integration, allowing organizations using Azure Virtual Desktop to optimize their environments through real-time app delivery using App Volumes with Apps on Demand." – Bharath Rangarajan, Chief Product Officer, Omnissa

Unlock new possibilities

App attach in Azure Virtual Desktop simplifies on-premises administration and application migration to the cloud by integrating seamlessly with third-party solutions, enhancing the overall application delivery experience. This integration provides increased security, scalability, and flexibility, ensuring a unified and efficient application delivery process across all environments. Microsoft is actively collaborating with partners to add more integrations, further improving the versatility and effectiveness of application delivery solutions.

To learn more about the third-party integration for app attach, visit the App attach documentation and read our partner blogs: 

 


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Updated Nov 01, 2024
Version 3.0
  • CraigDK's avatar
    CraigDK
    Iron Contributor

    I know this isn't strictly in the Azure arena but it's the only place that seems to have traction with regards to developing AppAttach capability.

     

    For those of us supporting on premise systems leveraging Microsoft ConfigMgr in a full on-prem (not hybrid) setup:

    1. App-V is going EOL in 2026 and supports streaming those apps from a DP allowing for a much faster publish.
    2. ConfigMgr only supports traditional MSIX download + install but not AppAttach - resulting in apps delivery with MSIX taking a lot longer compared to App-V.
      1. This is especially problematic for non-persistent VDI users who need to reinstall apps every day. 
    3. Will ConfigMgr be getting integrated AppAttach support to plug this capability gap?

    I have tried raising with the ConfigMgr team but there's a disconnect between the ConfigMgr team and whoever within Microsoft is responsible for AppAttach as to where responsibility lies for integrating it so it's not moved forward.

    • JeffU's avatar
      JeffU
      Copper Contributor

      Hi CraigDK 


      Thanks for sharing your insights on the challenges with app delivery using ConfigMgr, especially in light of App-V’s EOL and the limitations with MSIX. I completely understand the pain points for both persistent and non-persistent VDI environments in on-prem setups.

      This is exactly where App Volumes can provide significant value. Using App Volumes with App Attach, you can:

      1. Leverage ConfigMgr for Triggering Delivery: App Volumes supports App Attach by delivering VHDs directly to endpoints. While ConfigMgr handles the distribution of these VHDs, the App Volumes agent virtualizes the application instantly on the endpoint, bypassing the need for a lengthy download and installation process. This is particularly useful for persistent VDI, where the applications need to stay agile and easily managed.
      2. Streamlined App Management: App Volumes eliminates the need for traditional installation, enabling fast app delivery that exceeds App-V’s performance. It’s well-suited for both persistent and non-persistent environments, ensuring users have their apps available immediately without unnecessary overhead.
      3. Integration and Flexibility: While ConfigMgr doesn’t natively support App Attach today, you can use ConfigMgr to manage and deploy VHDs, with our App Volumes and App Attach integration handling the last-mile for quick delivery and virtualization. This bridges the gap between ConfigMgr’s capabilities and the agility of modern attach methods.

       

      If you’re interested in exploring this approach further or need help with specific configurations, feel free to reach out to me directly. I’d be happy to provide more details or even schedule a deeper discussion to show how this can fit into your environment.