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Packaging Tools (OSD+SFT Modification)
In this section you will wind tools that focus on creating or modifying virtual application packages
OSD Illustrated
OSD Illustrated is a comprehensive description of the XML attributes, parameters and data that make up an OSD file. This sample OSD file demonstrates the structure and capabilities of an OSD file including detailes about attribute's usage.
Author: Tim Mangan / TMurgent Technologies
Location: http://www.tmurgent.com/OSD_Illustrated.aspx
License: Free
OSD Editor
OSD Editor should be the tool of your choice for OSD modifications without the fear to destroy its XML structure. Its GUI offers features like Dynamic Suite Composition (DCS), OSD Script integration and other switches that sometimes are mentioned as "tweaks" for certain scenarios. If you want to focus on App-V switches and not on XML specifications, use it.
Author: Jan van der Elst, Rodney Medina / Login Consultants
Location: http://www.loginconsultants.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_details&gid=27&Itemid=149
License: Free (Registration required)
OSD+ Beta
OSD+ Beta is another OSD editor tool that follows the concept of OSD Editor. With OSD+ Beta, you can specify more then one content locations and you can create SPRJ files.
Author: Intercept-it / App Plus
Location: http://www.intercept-it.com/AppPlus/Products/OSD/Highlights.aspx
License: Free Beta (Registration required)
Application Virtualization Explorer
Application Virtualization Explorer is the most comprehensive tool to inspect and modify Virtual Applications. It allows to look into virtual applications (including SFT files and user's PKG files) and to export content from virtual package. Application Virtualization Explorer provides the feature of a "Virtualized Systems View", showing, how a virtual application would perceive the system it is running on. AVE even allows to modify virtual application packages by adding files, registry objects and by editing several package setting
Author: Kalle Saunamäki / Gridmetric
Location: http://www.gridmetric.com/products/ave.html
License: Commercial (400$ / 330€), Free Trial available
I wrote a review at http://kirxblog.wordpress.com/2010/03/31/sneak-preview-on-gridmetrics-application-virtualization-explorer-v2/
SFT Explorer
SFT Explorer can be considered as Application Virtualization Explorer's predecessor. It allows SFT file inspections and exporting files and registry. It support the "Virtualized System View" including Dynamic Suite composition. It does not allow to make any modification to virtual packages nor does it support to look at the user Settings of an application.
Author: Kalle Saunamäki
Location: http://www.virtualapp.net/sft-explorer.html
License: Free
SFT Encoder
SFT Encoder is a powerfull tool that allows to create and modify Virtual Applications by using a command line driven interface allowing for batch conversation/modification of App-V Packages. SFT Encoder can modify existing packages or create new ones based on given file structures and registry files. It also can convert packages between several SoftGrid/App-V versions or modify OSD files. Because of its focus on batch conversion, it is a powerfull tool for organisations that regulary create or modify Virtual Applications.
Author: Kalle Saunamäki, Gridmetric
Location: http://www.gridmetric.com/products/sftencoder.html
License: Commercial (180$ / 130€), Free Trial available. SFT Encoder's Express Edition offers very limited capabilities for free. The features are compared at http://www.gridmetric.com/products/sftencoder_features.html
PGK View
PKGView is a free tool that allows you to inspect user's "PKG Files" (the files that stores the differences that are stored on a per-user basis compared to the original SFT). PKGView also allows to load the corresponding SFT file to generate the "Virtualized System View".
Author: Tim Mangan / TMUrgent Technologies
Location: http://www.tmurgent.com/Tool_PkgView.aspx
License: Free
App-V Migration Tool
The App-V Migration Tool leverages the Sequencerautomation capabilities to create App-V Packages with just a few mouse clicks. Getting an installer's executable and command line parameters, it automates the Sequencing Process and generates an App-V Package for further deployment.
Author: Dennis Damen, Rodney medina / Login Consultants
Location: http://www.loginconsultants.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=20&Itemid=149
License: Free (Registration required)
Management Tools
App-V Client Add-on ADM Template
The Client Add-on ADM is a supplement for Microsoft's ADM template that adds control of settings beyond Microsoft's offering. Highlights are the definition of Publishing Servers, granular auto-load and network connection settings, ReadOnly Cache File configuration and other.
Author: Ruben Koene, Login Consultants
Location: http://www.loginconsultants.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=20&Itemid=149
License: Free (Registration required)
AppScriber
AppScriber is a web based self-service provisioning solution for App-V or any application deployment solution that authorizes application access based on Active Directroy Group Memberships. Users easily can "subscribe" for applications using a web based front end. Depending on the defined workflo, request may require additionalapproval.
Author: Immido
Location: http://www.immidio.com/appscriber
License. Commercial (Free Trial available)
App-V DeployApp and PublishApp
DeployApp and PublishApp are tools to deploy App-v applications in a controlled manner without the need for a management infrastructure (like App-V Management Server or SCCM).
Author: Tim Mangan / TMUrgent.com
Location: http://www.tmurgent.com/Tools.aspx
License: Free
DeployApp and PublishApp
App-V DeployApp and PublishApp tools allow to perform some publishing (announcement) and deployment (streaming) activities without the need for a full infrastructure.
Author: Tim Mangan
Location: http://www.tmurgent.com/Tools.aspx
License: Free
Client Management and Troubleshooting
SoftBar
SoftBar is a tool that allows you to run debug applications (like Explorer or Regedit) inside a Virtual Envoronment. It also allows to launch an application from a specified server. Of course it also allows to launch applications directly from its GUI - and from a command line.
Author: Greg Brownstein
Location: http://www.jagtechnical.com/softbar
License: Free
App-V Client Diagnostics and Configuration Tool (ACDC)
App-V Client Diagnostics and Configuration tool allows to launch Virtual Applications from within the GUI, launch debug programs (some predefined and customized) from within a Virtual Environment, watch the log in real time and manipulate cache Settings and others.
Author: Ment van der Plas, Login Consultants
Location: http://www.loginconsultants.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=20&Itemid=149
License: Free (Registration Required)
Both solutions sound comparable? Well, read what Aaron Parker thinks about that: http://blog.stealthpuppy.com/virtualisation/acdc-vs-softbar-fight
App-V Self Support Tool for users
Self Support Tool allows users to perform regular support activities for their own from a familiar guy. Actions include loading and unloading applications, clearing the user cache/settings and launching applications.
Author: Peter Nap, Login Consultants
Location: http://www.loginconsultants.com/index.php?option=com_docman&task=cat_view&gid=20&Itemid=149
License: Free (Registration required)