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Application testing goes virtual

The second version of application testing platform AppTitude targets Microsoft Softgrid for virtualisation in a spin-off launch.

By Miya Knights, 14 Jan 2008 at 10:48

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AppTitude 2.0, the new version of the application compatibility testing software designed to speed operating system (OS) migration, is released today to increase Vista uptake and virtualisation potential in a mixed software environment.

The automated client-server software testing platform features a new Virtualisation Manager module for assessing applications to determine if they are suitable for virtualisation with Microsoft Application Virtualisation (formerly known as 'SoftGrid').

The provision of compatibility testing for applications that are scheduled for deployment under Microsoft Application Virtualisation is designed to highlight those applications that are poor candidates for virtualisation and report on potential issues.

The developer of AppTitude 2.0 - itself split from parent application migration specialist Camwood for today's launch and now known as AppDNA - said extending the platform's ability to interrogate the unique markers of software applications or 'DNA' was key.

Mike Welling, AppDNA's founder and chief executive, said AppTitude could typically reduce application testing from a matter of weeks to minutes per application. "For a company with hundreds of applications this represents a dramatic reduction in the testing overhead," he added.

He also said the extended fingerprinting capability now includes details of file and registry components across all applications, including applications not in the Windows Installer executable format (non-MSI) for the first time.

According to AppDNA test data gathered from over 100 large corporations, only 20 to 25 per cent of applications use the MSI format, with many vendors releasing their software in 'setup.exe' formats.

"We estimate this latest release will reduce Vista migration timescales for a typical large corporation by around 30 to 40 per cent," Welling said.

The software, which automates the application testing requirement for companies migrating to different versions of Windows, including the latest Vista OS, can also identify the interdependencies between applications, to allow IT departments to easily group applications as necessary.