A software appliance is an application combined with Just Enough Operating System (JeOS) that readily installs on industry standard hardware or inside a virtual machine. Software appliances simplify server applications and deliver dramatic top-line and bottom-line benefits to Application Providers:

• Eliminate OS/platform certification costs that suck up 40% or more of your R&D budget yet don't add value
• Open markets/increase license revenue by increasing the accessibility and usability of your application for a broader audience – including your channel
• Eliminate support costs squandered on resolving OS or platform issues, which drain 40% or more of your support budget
• Get to revenue sooner by avoiding release delays caused by OS/platform certification
• Avoid the next big headache – certification of multiple hypervisors for virtualized environments