VMware, a global leader in virtualization and cloud infrastructure, has unveiled Horizon App Manager, a user-centric management service for accessing cloud applications.

VMware Horizon App Manager represents the first component of the company’s “Project Horizon” vision first previewed at VMworld 2010. Future releases of VMware Horizon will broker user access to a variety of application types, virtual Windows desktops and data resources, while delivering the security and control required by businesses. The result will be a simple, seamless user experience when accessing work resources across the private and public cloud on whatever device the user chooses, a statement said.

“The mobile and cloud era dictates anywhere, any device access to applications within and outside the firewall, and introduces fundamental new challenges to the traditional enterprise security and management model,” said Brian Byun, VP and general manager, Cloud Applications, VMware.

“VMware Horizon App Manager addresses these challenges by re-inventing end-user identity and application management as a cloud service, and providing an easier way for IT and users to embrace a new way to work.”

At its core, VMware Horizon App Manager includes an identity as a service hub that securely extends a user’s existing identity in systems such as Microsoft Active Directory or other directory options, into third-party public cloud applications like Box.net, BroadVision, Google, Salesforce.com, WebEx, Workday and others. This dramatically simplifies the management of multiple access credentials, a necessity brought about by the growing number of cloud applications now found in a typical enterprise. Simplification benefits both IT and users by collapsing separate identity silos into a single enterprise identity that can secure user access across private and public clouds.

In addition, the VMware Horizon App Manager provides an open, user-centric platform for accessing cloud applications within a single application portal that is accessible from a wide range of end-user devices.-TradeArabia News Service