Symantec announced it is delivering expanded endpoint virtualization solutions to further protect and manage endpoints, whether physical, virtual or hybrid. Symantec provides IT organizations the flexibility needed to deliver applications with a variety of computing models matched to the specific needs of different workers in the company. Symantec is changing the way software is managed, delivered and consumed at the endpoint by separating information from the operating system and applications, thereby improving user productivity while lowering IT cost.

Customers can now use Symantec's endpoint virtualization solutions to provide a portable computing experience across a broad range of computing environments. Symantec offers an extensive portfolio of software delivery tools, including on-demand application streaming, software-as-a-service enablement and traditional software deployment, from which customers can choose the best fit for their unique computing requirements. Symantec customers can be confident that their software environment will be efficient, stable and capable of meeting the ever-changing demands of today's business environment.

Symantec is strengthening its existing endpoint virtualization portfolio by adding presentation virtualization and connection brokering technologies, through the acquisition of nSuite Technologies, Inc., a privately-held virtual workspace management company. The acquisition is scheduled to close in August 2008. Connection broker technology is the key to dynamically allocating traditional and virtual computing resources like information, user profiles and applications to the endpoint regardless of device. Presentation virtualization allows users to view and interact with applications running remotely on a server, as if they are running on their local computing device.

"The real promise of endpoint virtualization is improving the end-user experience while helping to lower the cost of managing endpoint devices," said Ken Berryman, vice president, Endpoint Virtualization, Symantec. "Symantec's strategy is to help enable a truly dynamic endpoint where applications and information are delivered to any computing environment in a seamless manner. IT organizations should have the confidence to leverage the full power of traditional and virtual computing environments to maximize resources and reduce complexity."

The expanded technology portfolio will allow rapid provisioning of anything from traditional desktops to full virtual desktops, while Symantec's existing streaming and virtualization products dynamically build the workspace on-demand for the user. In an increasingly competitive business environment, companies need to be confident that their computing resources will be available anytime and anywhere. Symantec can now deliver instantaneous, on-demand software through the flexibility of application virtualization and streaming.

"As organizations increasingly leverage virtualization to deliver applications to endpoint devices, simplified, complete management of the virtualization stack and the security of the endpoint solution are both paramount concerns," said Chris Wolf, senior analyst, Burton Group. "Virtualization is redefining traditional application delivery methods and solutions that leverage virtualization to securely deliver applications to a myriad of virtual and physical endpoints are best positioned for long-term success."

These new capabilities build on Symantec's strategy of providing integrated protection and management for the exploding number of endpoint devices that organizations are required to secure and manage. Symantec's endpoint virtualization and advanced application delivery capabilities complement existing endpoint management solutions for configuration and patch management, asset management, endpoint security, Network Access Control, endpoint Data Loss Prevention, and endpoint data protection and system recovery. Symantec helps customers reduce costs and improve agility by leveraging virtualization technology to provide the management infrastructure customers require across heterogeneous virtual and physical environments.

The nSuite technologies will operate in conjunction with Symantec's Altiris Software Virtualization Solution Professional, which currently includes streaming and virtualization technology from Altiris and AppStream to provide faster, easier, and more manageable application consumption. It isolates applications and data from the base operating system allowing customers to instantly add, remove or reset applications on a Windows desktop, completely avoiding conflicts between applications or even between different versions of the same application.

AppStream's streaming technology allows any Windows-based software application to be streamed on-demand to an end-user's desktop in LAN, WAN or to consumer PCs in home environments, and includes a full complement of user-based application provisioning and license management tools. The combined offering helps customers resolve application conflicts, streamline software repairs, and deliver software on-demand all while maintaining the typical end-user application experience.