Docker Acquires Orchard for Enterprise Virtualization Deployment

Docker's open source container-based virtualization platform has taken another step toward commercial viability with the acquisition this week of Orchard, whose Fig technology will make Docker easier for enterprises to deploy.

To be clear, Docker Inc., the commercial sponsor of Docker software development, made the acquisition, which was for an undisclosed amount and was announced Wednesday. Docker itself is an open source project that writes Docker code.

Docker Inc.'s primary interest in acquiring Orchard was gaining direct access to Fig, an orchestration tool that helps IT administrators create and distribute virtualized applications across sets of Docker containers. Fig provides an interface for configuring a virtual application, as well as scripts for automating its deployment, saving users from having to write their own tools for this purpose.

The company's other major motive for the acquisition is to discontinue Orchard's hosted Docker service. Docker has already informed Orchard users of the forthcoming cancelation of the service, and has promised that they "will be provided with a smooth transition program," although the company has not yet spelled out the details of the transition.

"Our goal is to provide the best tools and experiences for developers creating web-scale applications that move frictionlessly between bare metal, virtualized, and cloud environments," said Ben Golub, CEO of Docker. "Orchard really stood out to us with their vision of what developers need and their delivery of well-designed services and products."

Orchard founders Ben Firshman (who is also Orchard CEO) and Aanand Prasad will continue to develop Fig, while also working on similar solutions as the leaders of developer environment initiatives at Docker.