Re: MetaFrame Ports to UNIX/Solaris
Thread- Well that was quick. It wasn't that long ago when they announced the UNIX initiative. Check out the pricing. Painful to read, but I guess it makes sense because of TCO, hardware mix/match, and any connection advantages. -MikeM(From Florida)
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Citrix ships MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment; Newest member in the growing MetaFrame
MAR 14, 2000- Citrix Systems, Inc. today announced general availability and pricing of MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment, the first solution in Citrix`s new MetaFrame for UNIX Operating Systems product line.
MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment is a new application server solution that extends the reach of UNIX and Java applications across an enterprise, or from an Application Service Provider (ASP), to users anywhere, including branch office and mobile workers. MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment has been field-tested by users worldwide, including Deutsche Bank, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, the Mayo Foundation and Photon Dynamics.
MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment delivers compatibility and interoperability with MetaFrame for Windows, and follows the same pricing model. This not only enables the delivery of Windows, Java and UNIX applications to a single portal, but also provides customers the freedom to interchange user licenses between the two products. Expansion of the MetaFrame product line to UNIX platforms is a step in Citrix`s strategy to deliver high-speed access to any application, with any device, over any connection.
"Our MetaFrame for UNIX product line increases the value we bring to enterprise customers and application service providers by simplifying access from a single device to a growing array of applications, running on different platforms," said Edward Iacobucci, chairman and chief technical officer for Citrix. "Many users have told us they need to access standard Windows applications like Microsoft Office, as well as customised UNIX applications specific to vertical industries like the medical field, and this newest member of the MetaFrame family enables that through a single application portal."
"Citrix MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment extends the Sun platform by providing greater choice and flexibility to users in how they deploy business-critical applications," said Anil Gadre, Sun Microsystems vice president and general manager, Solaris Products. "By adding MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment to the application solutions they already provide, Sun resellers can offer a complementary, end-to-end, server-based computing solution that enterprises need for rapid application deployment."
"Citrix`s release of a UNIX-based version of MetaFrame offers ASPs an additional application server environment for deploying a mix of applications to their users," said Meredith Whalen, program manager for IDC`s Internet Services and ASP Research. "Interoperability between MetaFrame for Solaris and MetaFrame for Windows enables ASPs to offer an increasing variety of UNIX, Windows, video, and Java-based software applications. In the next phase of the ASP revolution, customers eager to have a service offering that meets their own specific business needs will require their ASPs to provide this level of application variety."
MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment Customer: The Maine Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) relies on complex mapping technology to determine the impact of development and other activities on the state`s air and water quality. The department was considering purchasing UNIX-based software called ERDAS Imagine, but the files - such as aerial photos and satellite imagery - are too large to serve over the WAN to users in the three DEP branch offices. Also, the department`s suite of Oracle-based tools had to be written for distributed PCs.
"Working with our Citrix systems integrator, St. George Consulting, we can now develop UNIX server-based Oracle applications that integrate with our mapping software, and deliver them to our entire team of scientists using Citrix MetaFrame for Solaris," said Mike Smith, senior programmer/analyst for the Maine DEP. "With access to these enhanced tools, staff members can make faster, better-informed decisions about environmental issues. Citrix has opened our eyes to a new way of deploying applications we thought were impossible to deliver over standard networks."
Packaging, Pricing and Availability
MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment is available immediately through MetaFrame for UNIX authorised members of the Citrix Solutions Network, a growing coalition of value-added resellers, distributors and systems integrators worldwide. Suggested retail pricing is $5,995 for a 15-concurrent user license and a one-year enrolment in Citrix's Subscription Advantage program. Subscription Advantage customers receive automatic delivery of enhancements, updates and maintenance releases to the base server software and installed system management services.
Customers can also purchase MetaFrame software without Subscription Advantage for $4,995. Additional MetaFrame user licenses can be added in increments of 5, 10, 20 or 50 concurrent users for $995, $1,995, $3, 990 or $9,975, respectively. Citrix Load Balancing Services is also available with MetaFrame for Solaris at a suggested retail price of $1, 495 per server.
Key Features Extends the Reach of UNIX and Java Applications
Using the Citrix Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) protocol, MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment enables the deployment of UNIX systems, X.11, text and Java applications across an enterprise, or from an ASP, to branch office and mobile workers who could not have accessed them previously due to bandwidth limitations or device capabilities.
-- Centralised Application Management and Deployment. The product offers enterprise management and deployment tools to allow IT departments and ASPs to scale, deploy, manage and support applications from a single location.
-- Web Access. MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment enables UNIX systems and Java applications to be deployed directly from a Web page. Companies or ASPs can rapidly deploy existing applications through a Web browser without rewriting any code, using Citrix Application Launching and Embedding (ALE) technologies.
-- Client Devices. MetaFrame provides UNIX application access from all types of devices, ranging from PCs and notebook computers to the latest handheld devices.
Incorporates Standard MetaFrame Features MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment contains the same key features that all the FORTUNE 100 companies currently enjoys with MetaFrame for Windows.
-- Application Publishing. These features simplify and accelerate the initial deployment and subsequent updates of applications across the enterprise. Application Publishing utilities make it easy for administrators to deploy applications across multiple servers from a single point.
-- Load Balancing. Citrix Load Balancing Services allows multiple servers to be grouped into a unified "server farm" to meet the needs of a growing user base. This provides greater manageability and scaleability, enabling administrators to reduce the computing costs and resources needed to support users and systems.
-- Session Shadowing. Administrators and help-desk employees can monitor, manage and even take control of a user`s session at a remote location by using MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment`s shadowing capability. This feature makes remote support, diagnosis and training easy for UNIX systems and Java applications.
-- SpeedScreenTM 2 Technology. Citrix`s ICA protocol, with SpeedScreen 2, improves network efficiency, accelerating the performance of congested corporate networks and helping to reduce the communication costs of wide-area networks. SpeedScreen 2 also reduces bandwidth consumption, boosting the productivity of remote and mobile users.
-- Seamless Desktop Integration. MetaFrame offers an enhanced user experience by providing complete access to local system resources, including clipboard and local printers. Although applications run remotely from the server, they look, feel and perform as though they are running locally. By providing this level of comfort for users, MetaFrame eliminates the need for training and increases user productivity.
Universal Application Access - NFuse. MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment enables UNIX systems and Java applications to be accessed via Citrix`s Web Program Neighborhood application portal, NFuse.
-- Interoperability with MetaFrame for Windows. To meet the needs of current and future users, MetaFrame for the Solaris Operating Environment is interoperable with MetaFrame for Windows. The MetaFrame product line has been designed to enable coexistence of both products in a single server farm.
-- Any Client. The MetaFrame family extends applications to virtually any client device, including 286, 386, 486, and Pentium PCs, Windows-based terminals, wireless devices, and information appliances, as well as X-devices. It supports all types of Windows clients, including Windows 3.X, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95, Windows NT Workstation and Windows CE, and also non-Windows clients including DOS, UNIX, OS/2 Warp, Mac OS and Java.
-- Network Connections. MetaFrame connects users to the network through standard telephone lines, WAN links (T1, T3, 56Kb, X.25), broadband connections (ISDN, Frame Relay, ATM), wireless connections, corporate intranets and the Internet.
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