Symantec expands its endpoint virtualization vision with nSuite

Symantec is expanding its endpoint virtualization portfolio with the acquisition of nSuite Technologies, a privately held virtual workspace management company. The nSuite technologies will operate with Symantec’s Software Virtualization Solution Professional (SVS Pro), which includes application virtualization and streaming technology gained from the acquisitions of Altiris and AppStream.

The nSuite acquisition is for an undisclosed amount, and the company expects to have completed the process before the end of the month.

Symantec said its endpoint virtualization solutions would further protect and manage endpoints, whether physical, virtual, or hybrid. They also added that it provides IT organizations with the flexibility needed to deliver applications with a variety of computing models matched to the specific needs of different workers in the company.

The company also said that they are 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.

They believe the 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 of endpoint virtualization at 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.”

Although the new software is not as mature as the connection brokering offerings being sold by its rivals, Symantec believes that its record and vendor-neutral status will help them win over customers.

Andi Mann, research director at Enterprise Management Associates, called the nSuite acquisition a really interesting move and a smart one on the part of Symantec.

“For Symantec, it is a really great complement to their whole endpoint management play — with Altiris client management, SVS, endpoint security, desktop backup, etc. And it also gets them into desktop virtualization, which EMA research has recently shown is the hottest growing sector in virtualization and where they haven’t had products until now.”

He went on to say that what is perhaps even more interesting is that this appears to be a loud signal from Symantec to VMware saying they will compete fiercely and will attack to defend what they see as their rightful market.

Mann added, “We have been seeing VMware talking about getting into storage virtualization, and the ‘departure’ of Diane Greene is a likely signal of closer ties between VMware and EMC’s storage portfolio. Seems Symantec was not going to take this too likely, and while it may be a great organic fit in their endpoint portfolio, it also puts Symantec on the front foot — and VMware on the defensive — as Symantec moves more aggressively into the virtualization turf.”

Symantec ultimately plans to repackage their virtualization solutions under a common naming convention. But since the company is still calling their application virtualization solution Altiris SVS Pro and their streaming technology AppStream, we might be calling the newly acquired product “nSuite” for a little while longer.