Desktop virtualization solutions provider AppSense announced a free version of AppSense Strata, a product suite currently in beta designed to add more user freedom to the existing and rather stiff VDI model enterprises implement.  It is set to release in early 2012.

This software has several advantages according to the company.

“To date the user freedom and flexibility portion has been missing, but Strata effectively addresses this issue. AppSense Strata redefines the IT service and support cost model by allowing users to quickly install and manage the applications they require without the need to grant them administrative rights.”

Strata achieves that by allowing users to install the said applications in a secure ‘isolated environment,’ from which they are eventually re-delivered to the user’s desktop. This allows workers to use their own apps, thus boosting productivity in addition to lifting a growing workload off the IT department. This is especially true in the age of the mobile worker, when the number of devices introduced to the corporate network is also multiplying.

Also this week, AppSense announced a new service in collaboration with App-DNA. The two companies, using the former’s VDI technology and the latter’s consultation services, offer customers to migrate their Windows-based legacy apps to Win7 and virtual desktop environments. The announcement of the joint service follows news of NetApp’s latest partner program.

The AppSense Certified Service Provider program allows as-a-service providers to use its user virtualization software to power their offerings. This opens up a new way for AppSense to monetize its partner ecosystem, which represents a significant element in the company’s strategy based on its team-up with App-DNA and an earlier partnership with Lakeside software.

The availability of the free version of Strata comes a day after Pivot3 announced a high-performance VDI appliance for VMware View.