Citrix Introduces New Versions of MetaFrame and WinFrame Server-Based Computing Software
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 1999
Citrix Continues to Extend Reach of Microsoft Terminal Server
Edition; Delivers Greater Interoperability between MetaFrame and
WinFrame Software
Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS - news) today announced new versions of its award-winning server-based computing software, MetaFrame 1.8 and WinFrame 1.8. Citrix MetaFrame 1.8, which works in conjunction with Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, is now available through 5,000 members of the Citrix Solutions Network. WinFrame 1.8, based on Windows NT Server 3.51, will begin shipping by the end of March.
With the release of MetaFrame 1.8, Citrix continues to extend the reach of Terminal Server Edition enterprise-wide, through additional client and server functionality including expanded enterprise management tools, seamless desktop integration for the richest end-user experience in server-based computing, and broadened support for heterogeneous computing environments. The new release of WinFrame 1.8 delivers feature parity, compatibility and interoperability with MetaFrame 1.8 server software.
Citrix today also announced two new systems management products, Citrix Resource Management Services and Citrix Installation Management Services, designed to take MetaFrame and WinFrame server-based computing solutions even further into the enterprise. See separate release on Citrix Resource Management Services and Citrix Installation Management Services.
''MetaFrame 1.8 and WinFrame 1.8 build upon Citrix's proven server-based computing architecture implemented by thousands of enterprises worldwide,'' said Steve Adams, vice president of worldwide marketing for Citrix. ''The major advancements we've made in application publishing and server farm management through Program Neighborhood(TM), license pool recovery and ICA® browser management significantly simplify the ability of IT professionals to rapidly deploy and manage business applications and updates across organizations of all sizes, including the extended enterprise. We've also broadened the availability of Windows-based applications to desktop users of Linux and SCO UNIX in the most transparent manner possible.''
Citrix MetaFrame 1.8
MetaFrame 1.8 offers IT professionals major advancements in application publishing and server farm management, accelerating time-to-value on new applications and reducing cost of ownership through highly scaleable, centralized, enterprise-wide administration. MetaFrame 1.8 also delivers significant end-user enhancements in bandwidth performance, server redundancy and availability, expanded multi-media capabilities, and broadened ICA client support as part of Citrix's continuing effort to make the server-based enterprise computing experience as rich and transparent as possible for end-users.
''With the release of MetaFrame 1.8, Installation Management Services and Resource Management Services, Citrix continues to innovate and deliver value-add solutions for the Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server platform,'' said John Frederiksen, group product manager for Windows NT Server, Microsoft Corp. ''MetaFrame offers a valuable component for Microsoft customers deploying Terminal Server enterprise-wide.''
Key enhancements to MetaFrame 1.8 include the following new features:
-- Citrix Program Neighborhood. A breakthrough in the concept of application publishing and deployment, Program Neighborhood allows administrators to quickly and easily ''push'' access to new or updated server-based applications directly to the user without concern for client configuration. An icon for the new application instantly shows up in the user's Program Neighborhood window, on the user's 32-bit Windows desktop, or in the Windows ''Start'' menu. Program Neighborhood simplifies application access by completely eliminating end-user involvement in new application installations and can accelerate the deployment of business-critical applications, including ERP and Y2K-compliant applications, across a global workforce.
-- Extended-Enterprise Management. MetaFrame 1.8 delivers greater flexibility and scaleability by allowing the management and configuration tools used to administer growing Citrix server farms to extend across subnet boundaries. As a result, more of the extended enterprise can be unified into a single server group for greater ease of load balancing and application publishing. This release also adds greater control over server-to-server communication parameters, ensures automatic license pool recovery, and delivers persistent local client printer properties. These new features provide greater manageability, while increasing the size and flexibility of server farms to lower operating costs, maximize system uptime, and reduce system support time.
-- SpeedScreen(TM) 2. MetaFrame 1.8 improves network efficiency by as much as 60 percent, accelerating the performance of congested corporate networks and helping to reduce the communication costs of wide-area networks. SpeedScreen 2 also reduces bandwidth consumption by 30 percent, boosting the productivity of remote and mobile users.
-- Business Recovery Client. MetaFrame 1.8 automatically connects users to a backup MetaFrame or WinFrame server farm in the event of a primary server farm connection or location disruption. By providing a level of server farm redundancy, MetaFrame 1.8 maximizes application availability and system up-time to enhance end-user productivity. MetaFrame 1.8 is also an ideal component of any enterprise disaster recovery plan.
-- Video-Ready. With MetaFrame 1.8, Citrix has expanded the multi-media capabilities of our Independent Computing Architecture on the server and client to support on-demand video streaming, when used in conjunction with Citrix's upcoming video technology. On-demand video streaming is ideal for server-based training applications and corporate video libraries, delivering a richer end-user experience and enhancing the knowledge base of the total workforce.
-- New ICA Clients. MetaFrame 1.8 includes new ICA clients for Linux and SCO UNIX desktop users, including Red Hat, Caldera, SuSE, Slackware, UnixWare and OpenServer. As a result, users of heterogeneous computing platforms gain broadened information access to Windows-based applications, without special emulation software, application rewrites or additional hardware purchases. MetaFrame enables IT professionals to go through full depreciation cycles with current computing investments, while capitalizing on the strategic benefits of Windows-based applications.
Citrix WinFrame 1.8
WinFrame 1.8, based on the Windows NT Server 3.51 operating platform, delivers feature parity, compatibility and interoperability with MetaFrame 1.8. This new release is targeted toward current WinFrame customers expanding their existing WinFrame 1.x solution and organizations operating Windows NT Server 3.51 environments that have not yet migrated to the Windows NT Server 4.0 operating platform.
WinFrame 1.8 includes all the new features previously outlined for the new MetaFrame 1.8 release in addition to the MetaFrame 1.0 features released last June, including:
-- Seamless Windows. Within a single session, a user can gain access to multiple applications, have fully functional local keyboard controls (such as ALT-TAB), switch between local and remote applications on the local taskbar, define remote application icons on the local desktop, as well as tile and cascade local and remote application windows.
-- Auto Client Update. This tool provides administrators with the ability to install the latest version of the client software, then schedule the download and installation of that software to a client's device.
-- Audio Support. WinFrame now supports audio, allowing users to extend their desktop audio schemes to include server-based applications. In addition, administrators can select the right level of audio compression, based on available bandwidth.
-- Shadow Task Bar. Administrators, help desk employees and trainers can now shadow multiple users from a single desktop.
-- ALE (TM)Wizard. Deploying full-function, Windows-based applications across the Internet, intranets or extranets without rewriting code is now simplified through this administrative utility that can automatically generate HTML code required for application deployments.
-- Load Balancing Administrator. Administrators can now manage and configure load-balancing parameters for all load-balanced servers from a single location.
-- Ready Connect(TM) Client. ICA clients can be predefined with phone numbers, IP addresses, server names and connection options prior to first-time installation.
Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 Packaging, Pricing and Availability
MetaFrame 1.8 is available immediately through more than 5,000 members of the Citrix Solutions Network. Suggested retail pricing for MetaFrame 1.8 software is $5,995 for a 15-concurrent user license and a one-year enrollment 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 only for $4,995 (SRP). Additional MetaFrame user licenses can be added in increments of 5-, 10-, 25- or 50-concurrent users for $995, $1,995 or $3,990 or $9,975, respectively.
All MetaFrame software pricing excludes the price of Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition and Terminal Server client licensing. Pricing and configuration options are subject to change.
-- MetaFrame 1.0 to MetaFrame 1.8 Upgrade Software. Suggested retail pricing for MetaFrame 1.0 to MetaFrame 1.8 upgrade software with a one-year enrollment in the Citrix Subscription Advantage program is $2,295 per server. Customers can also purchase the MetaFrame 1.8 upgrade software only for $1,295.
-- WinFrame to MetaFrame Migration. Customers with WinFrame 1.6 or higher can migrate to MetaFrame 1.8 with a one-year enrollment in the Citrix Subscription Advantage program for $2,495 per server. Customers can also purchase the standalone WinFrame to MetaFrame migration software for $1,495 per server. Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition is not included but can be purchased separately as part of a Microsoft migration path for WinFrame customers. Customers should see their local Microsoft reseller for pricing and availability.
-- Subscription Advantage Program. Customers can enroll in the Citrix Subscription Advantage program for MetaFrame software by purchasing their new MetaFrame 1.8 software or MetaFrame 1.8 upgrade software with the Subscription Advantage option. Subscribers receive automatic delivery of software upgrades, enhancements and maintenance releases that become available within a product family-plus other technical resources, such as Hotfix Notifier emails and the quarterly Solution Search CD.
Citrix WinFrame 1.8 Packaging, Pricing and Availability
WinFrame 1.8 will begin shipping by the end of March through members of the Citrix Solutions Network. Suggested retail pricing for WinFrame 1.8 software is $5,995 for a 15-concurrent user license. WinFrame 1.7 customers can upgrade to WinFrame 1.8 for $1,295 per server.
About Citrix
Founded in 1989, Citrix Systems, Inc. is the nation's 18th largest software company and world leader in system software for server-based computing. The MetaFrame(TM) and WinFrame® product lines and Independent Computing Architecture (ICA®) technology offer a fast, easy and cost-effective way to deliver business-critical applications to anyone, anywhere, anytime. The company's server-based computing solutions are marketed through a worldwide business alliance of value-added resellers, system integrators, OEM licensees and industry associates. Citrix is based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTXS.
Note to Editors: If you are interested in accessing a virtual press kit on today's announcements, including industry support statements, screen shots, customer stories, product photography and fact sheets, please visit the Citrix on-line pressroom at citrix.com.
For Citrix Investors
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding current or future financial performance, management's plans and objectives for future operations, product plans and performance, management's assessment of market factors, as well as statements regarding the strategy and plans of the company and its strategic partners, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks associated with the company's reliance upon its strategic relationships with Microsoft and other strategic partners, dependence upon broad-based acceptance of the company's ICA protocol, management of growth, market acceptance of new products or new versions of existing products, the possibility of undetected software errors, and dependence on proprietary technology, as well as risks of downturns in economic conditions generally, and in the software industry specifically, and risks associated with competition, competitive pricing pressures and year 2000 compliance efforts of the company and third parties on which the company is dependent. For a more detailed description of the risk factors associated with the company, please refer to the company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the Quarterly Report or Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and its Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 1998 to be filed with the Commission.
Citrix®, WinFrame® and ICA® are registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. MultiWin(TM) and MetaFrame(TM) are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. for which there are pending applications for registration in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
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Contact:
Citrix Systems, Inc.
Andrea Davidowitz, (954) 267-2377
or andread@citrix.com
or
The Weber Group, Inc.
Kim Robinson, (617) 520-7242
or krobinson@webergroup.com |
