Grappling with Application Management

TECH BRIEF
Grappling With
Application Management
anaging applications is a big busi- tion. This can save the IT staff from spend- Other problems may be harder to ad-ness challenge today. IT depart- ing time on this task - time that would be dress. To improve security one of the design ments must get involved as part of normally allocated to other work. goals built into Windows Vista is to have tMhe normal desktop fix, upgrade and replace Once the inventory is complete, the next users work as standard users and not have process as well as dealing with operating sys- step is rationalization. For instance, there administrative privileges. This is accom-tem upgrades. may be several versions of a single appli- plished through its User Account Control, The issue is that when applications must cation in use throughout an organization. which reduces the chances of a user mak-be updated, installed or migrated, companies Through the rationalization process, a com- ing a change that might expose a computer must ensure that disruptions are minimized pany can evaluate what features are included to risks. If an application relies on elevated to keep users productive throughout the pro- with each version and what functionality privileges or no-longer supported functions, cess. Additionally, the process must be sim- their users need. there might be a problem. For these appli-ple for the user. If application management Once applications are chosen based on cations, Dell runs tests and uses debuggers isn't in place, the end user might make an their value to the company, the IT organiza- to help identify application issues.erroneous decision on how to configure the tion must then test each application to ensure In some cases, the debugging might reveal software, such as installing it in the wrong it will work properly on the company's Win- a simple problem that can quickly be resolved. directory, which leads to problems. dows Vista desktop. Unfortunately, many In other cases, Dell may suggest an Applica-Adding to the challenges of applica- IT organizations may not have the staff to tion Fix that makes use of a shim, which is a tion management is the arrival of Windows properly validate their applications for Win- DLL that resolves compatibility problems by TMVista , which Microsoft has designed to dows Vista which is why many companies tricking an application into running properly. offer more features, advanced security, and seek Dell's help. For applications that cannot be helped in this higher functionality than any other Win- The work that must be done is to first test manner, virtualizing the application might dows operating system to date. the application for compatibility and then help resolve any conflicts or system resource These changes mean that before a com- decide what action to take if an application issues that prevent proper operation. pany moves an application to Windows Vista fails. For example, there might be three or If none of these steps work, the remaining desktops, it must validate the application to four versions of a single application in use option is to obtain a new Windows Vista-com-ensure it is compatible. throughout the company and some of the patible version of the application. Similarly, an This could lead to two types of challenges. versions might fail the evaluation. If this is internally developed application that fails the First, an application may not work with the the case, it's logical to settle on one product remediation steps may have to be rewritten. new OS. Second, the application might be that works. However, this may require a dip- During the evaluation process addi-okay, but the packaging of the application lomatic effort or considerable arm- twisting tional problems may crop up. Specifically, as for installation may cause problems. to get all parties to agree. companies prepare for migrations, their desk-Whether an application works also in- When there is only one application and top image may frequently change. Hence, the volves other factors such as the exact image it fails an evaluation test, a company must application evaluations are essentially being a company uses for its desktops. So, compa- decide ... [download for more]