Five enterprise software companies launched a new alliance on Monday to help promote the use of Apple Macs within corporate environments currently managed with Microsoft Windows. Members of the Enterprise Desktop Alliance (EDA) include Atempo, Centrify, Group Logic, LANrev, and Mac virtualization veteran Parallels. Together, the companies believe they can show today's Windows environments how to integrate and ma Five enterprise software companies launched a new alliance on Monday to help promote the use of Apple Macs within corporate environments currently managed with Microsoft Windows.Members of the Enterprise Desktop Alliance (EDA) include Atempo, Centrify, Group Logic, LANrev, and Mac virtualization veteran Parallels. Together, the companies believe they can show today’s Windows environments how to integrate and manage Macs using Windows-based solutions and increase their user productivity while reducing the total cost of ownership.Specific management solutions being targeted by the EDA include virtualization, enterprise data protection, identity and access management, file and print services, and systems lifecycle management. Under the EDA’s strategy, administrators will be able to achieve the same level of control, security, policy compliance and service on the Mac that they currently have with their Windows platforms.One of the founding members, Parallels, creates virtualization software for Intel-based Macs that allows a user to run Windows and Linux operating systems and applications.“Since adopting Intel technology in its Macs, Apple has seen rapid growth in its desktop and laptop sales, up 51 percent last quarter on the same period in 2007, and outpacing the PC market,” Sherylin Dahl, senior partner manager at Parallels told InfoWorld. “This is partially due to tools such as Apple’s own Bootcamp and virtualization solutions such as Parallels Desktop for Mac, which enable users to run Windows or Linux applications on a Mac, addressing the compatibility issue that has traditionally acted as a barrier to widespread Mac adoption. The Enterprise Desktop Alliance aims to advance this goal by educating the market and further encouraging and enabling Mac adoption in the enterprise.” One way the alliance plans to help push its initiative is through its education services. The EDA plans on hosting a series of events, including Webcasts and seminars, and will also provide white papers, product information, and other resources on its Web site.The alliance could be taking on a lofty goal. If an organization doesn’t already have a strong base of Mac users within its walls, will they pay much attention to the alliance? And where is Apple in all of this? Are they staying clear so as not to muddy the waters? Software Development