Novell last week created the first link between its tool for virtualization of desktop applications and its software for managing configurations.

ZENworks Application Virtualization (ZAV) 7 provides an isolated environment on the desktop that includes all the needed application files, settings, runtimes, and components for rolling out a desktop application. Applications can then run locally in the virtualized environment without changing any settings in the operating system, registry or run-time environment.

With ZAV 7, Novell has added a link to its ZENworks Configuration Management (ZCM). ZAV lets users select what devices virtual applications can run on and block devices not registered with ZCM. Users also can convert legacy applications into virtual applications.

ZCM is a policy-based tool to automate software setup, updates and migration for desktop PCs. The platform also includes remote management, user migration, deployment and maintenance, hardware and software inventory, asset management, and application delivery for both desktop and server applications.

Users can build virtualization packages with ZAV and use the tool to move them to ZCM, which can distribute the executables. The software supports Windows Vista, XP and 2000 desktops, and Windows Server 2000, 2003, 2008.

ZENworks Application Virtualization is priced at US$39 per user or instance license.