Parallels Workstation includes free built-in compacting tool. It could be used only for Parallels Workstation virtual machines.
New Parallels VM Compactor product is advanced version of such tool which will be offered separately from the Paralells Workstation. Its main advatages over built-in tool is:
1. Significantly better compacting ratio. It specially cleaning and optimizing guest OS before actual compacting (but it does use built-in feature in the end for actual compacting).
2. Flexibility. You can choose from 3 running modes and customize optimization level.
3. Managability. It can be run from command line and can be integrated into scripts.
4. Support for wide range of virtual platforms. It can be used with Parallels Workstation, VMware Workstation & Server, Microsoft Virtual PC & Server.
So this product is a value add tool built on base of standard compacting tools offered by VMM vendors - Parallels, VMware and MS.
Last edited: Apr 21, 2006