App-V 5.0 Sequencing Decision Matrix

Below is a potentially helpful decision chart for considerations when choosing to have an App-V package vs. keeping an application native (local install).  I had originally created it in October 2013 for my webcast with BDNA.  But since that time, an even better flowchart has been created by Rory Monaghan, that I encourage you to visit review on his blog at http://rorymon.com/blog/?p=174.

Criteria	App-V 5.0 SP2	Native Application
DCOM Objects	Minimal or unused	Critical functionality
Integration points with other applications	Minimal or if there is not time/resource restraints	If complex or if there are time/resource restraints
Application installed size	Less than 4 GB	Greater than 4 GB
Drivers	If drivers are not required at system boot, and have an automated install mechanism.	If drivers are required at system boot, or has complex driver automation
Application requires updated versions frequently	App-V application when users do not have the ability to update themselves	Native application when users have the ability to update themselves
Application compatibility fixes necessary	Successful bundling of a shim within the App-V package	Not successful bundling of the shim within App-V package
Services	Normal services that run in their own process and are not required at system boot	Shared services that run inside svchost.exe or are required at system boot
Middleware	Middleware application that is only required by other virtualized apps	Middleware application that is required by both native and virtualized apps
Licensing	Single license can be embedded or added later	Multiple licenses that can only be used at install time
Vendor support for the application virtualized	If yes or if low risk	If no and risk cannot be taken
Multiple versions of application to be used	Yes if other App-V have been criteria met	Possible if no conflicts between multiple versions at once
Conflicts between multiple versions of applications	Yes if other App-V have been criteria met	N/a
Shell Extensions	Yes if other App-V have been criteria met	When App-V criteria cannot be met
Compatibility issues with other applications	Yes if other App-V have been criteria met	N/a