Ray, Thanks for your views. Because they are not "pro-Citrix" I value them greatly.
Here is what I believe to be somewhat accurate. Per a May 12th, 1997 deal, Microsoft is paying (or has paid) Citrix $75 million. For this, Citrix and Microsoft have developed Winframe for NT4.0 use. Microsoft has to promote Citrix as a multi-user NT4.0 solution until year end 1999. Microsoft will have to pay Citrix up to $100 million, depending on how many NT4.0 users want it. Once the $100 million is paid, it's no more royalties to Citrix. As a side note, Microsoft owns 5% of Citrix and has Greg Maffei (of Microsoft) sitting on the Citrix board.
Now my take of your views is that Microsoft is going to devote time and money to bring RDP up to speed so they avoid paying Citrix royalties? I guess I'm a little puzzled why they would do this considering the deal and the web they already have weaved. It seems pretty solid to me unless I'm totally missing your point.
Maybe the weave they have spun and the hand slapping by the justice department will force Microsoft to have a different attitude about squashing competitors. These two factors may be Citrix's only long-term hope.
After year end 1999, it appears to be a free-for-all fight once again. But in the meantime, Citix is going to be going all out to make sure they have agreements with everyone and their brother. They have quite a headstart on Microsoft. But like you said, even though Citrix may have the best product, they can still get squashed if Microsoft decides to do this. Kind of sucks, but I guess you are right. But Citrix has at least a couple of years to prepare and to make money. I doubt the other companies Microsoft squashed had such clear warning. Well that's even debatable (Netscape).
This will be an interesting story to follow.
MikeM(From Florida) |
