Streaming apps straight from vendors?

Ars Technica is reporting that Microsoft is testing streaming the Office 2010 tech preview straight to users.

They’re calling it “click-to-run”, and basically it uses Microsoft’s application virtualisation technology to run the application virtualised on the user’s desktop. The application is delivered over the internet, straight from Microsoft as a “stream”. I imagine that would mean, like with App-V, the application can start quickly with only a core download. The rest of the application can then be trickled down, or downloaded on demand as more features of the applications are used.

I assume that patches and updates would also automatically be downloaded when the application is run next – in a quick and easy way.  And I also assume that Microsoft would be able to revoke or remove the software when the client checks-in. This would open the door to subscription based software purchasing, delivered straight from Microsoft, but run on your own computer (so not to be confused with software as a service – although it does overlap somewhat).

Very interesting stuff, and I’m sure it is a taste of one of Microsoft’s new future software delivery mechanisms.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we see the concept of having Configuration Manager subscribe to vendor application streams, and re-deliver the apps to enterprise desktops using App-V.

On-premise re-packing and software update release might become as easy as Microsoft Updates has in recent years. Lets hope.