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I re-thought the matrix to get it outside of the scope of just App-V but it’s still called the App-V Decision Matrix for a few reasons. I still love App-V and now App-V is now in box in Windows 10 Enterprise and Server 2016. More organizations have access to App-V than ever before. The App-V Sequencer is available as part of the Windows 10 ADK. It is for these reasons, I decided to keep this as the App-V Decision Matrix. I am using App-V as my baseline i.e. My app is X type of app and contains y can I deliver it with App-V? If not, what is a suitable alternative?
I only highlighted RDSH option such as XenApp, Horizon Apps, RDS, AppsAnywhere and Parallels once but all of the other products including containers and layers can be deployed to these types of platforms. Keep the decisions can be the same for desktops and RDSH.
If you think this matrix is overkill and you won’t have access to layering products or container products, you may find the previous version of the matrix more useful.
If you disagree with anything please comment.
Thank You for the Support
I have to thank Aaron Parker for the awesome job he did redesigning my early, awful Decision Matrix! Thanks, Aaron. I hope I didn’t mess it up too much making changes. Also a shout to Danny Clarke who made it even better again by adding a couple of extra decision points and making it much more streamlined. I would also like to thank the various people who reached out and offered to help update for this version. I’m sorry I didn’t work with you on it, my time management has been terrible recently. Thanks, fellas.
Browser or Web App
Web App
If it requires IE 11 and the browser itself doesn’t need to be virtualized AND your current IE security policy is suitable for this web app, you can sequence it with App-V.
If the web app doesn’t work with IE 11 currently, that is a problem! Microsoft now only supports the latest browser on your OS. You need to find a way to move forward. I suggest you test the site with Enterprise Mode, if that doesn’t work, will a different modern browser work? If so you should be able to sequence that browser, if not you should try a different product such as Cloudhouse AppsAnywhere, Numecent Cloudpaging, Browsium Ion, Vmware ThinApp or Turbo.net
If Enterprise Mode actually works or the web app in general works with IE 11 but it doesn’t work with your current IE security policy, I suggest you try to test with App-V allowing GPO Override (IF this is acceptable for you).
If you would like an isolated network stack, Turbo.net is your only option. This can be useful for delivering a locked down browser which users can only use to access a single site or set of approved sites. With an isolated network stack you can also have a browser or app using a port which is already in use for something else.
Browser
If you wish to virtualize a browser and it’s not Internet Explorer 11, App-V should be able to sequence it. If you need to virtualize Interent Explorer, you will need a different product. Previously, I would have included RDSH with Server 2008 R2 or a similar solution but I can’t suggest this in good conscious now that Microsoft have changed their support policies for IE.
If you would like an isolated network stack, Turbo.net is your only option. This can be useful for delivering a locked down browser which users can only use to access a single site or set of approved sites. With an isolated network stack you can also have a browser or app using a port which is already in use for something else.
Desktop Application
Machine Specific Licensing : Machine Specific Licensing Decision Explanation
Boot Time Services : Boot Time Services Decision Explanation
COM+ : COM+ Decision Explanation
DCOM : DCOM Decision Explanation
Drivers : Drivers Decision Explanation
Middleware\Runtimes : Middleware/Runtimes Decision Explanation
Add-ins and Links : Add-ins and Links Decision Explanation
Requires AutoUpdates: If an application requires auto-updates which you can’t automate or don’t have resources to continuously package, it isn’t a good fit for App-V.
Other Considerations
Application Performance: Application Performance Explanation
Vendor Support: Vendor Support Explanation
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