Citrix and Cisco Collaborate on Router Configurations to Optimize Server-Based Computing Over WANs
Industry's First ICA® Router to Enhance
Application Performance Over WANs
Citrix Server-Based Computing Technology Integral
to Cisco's Hosted Application Initiative
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 26, 1999--Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS - news), the world leader in server-based computing software, today announced it will collaborate with Cisco Systems (Nasdaq:CSCO - news), the worldwide leader in networking for the Internet, on the creation of the industry's first ICA-aware Cisco IOS® software router configurations, optimized specifically for Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture (ICA), the emerging industry standard for server-based computing. This is a milestone in the development of the emerging application service provider (ASP) market, enabling ASP's to deliver consistent and economical performance levels to their customers for application sessions centrally hosted on Citrix MetaFrame and WinFrame servers. ASPs deliver application hosting and IT best practices for individuals and organizations of all sizes through outsourcing services.
Citrix today also announced that its server-based computing technology is an integral component of Cisco's Hosted Application Initiative. Citrix MetaFrame(tm) and WinFrame® server-based computing software will be tested and certified by Cisco's Hosted Applications development lab.
The Cisco Hosted Applications joint development lab was established to accelerate systems integration and facilitate the creation of secure, reliable Application Service Provider (ASP) reference architectures. Designed to recognize application sessions hosted on Citrix MetaFrame and WinFrame servers across wide area networks (WANs), the ICA-aware Cisco IOS software configurations will reduce network latency and increase server-based computing performance, providing extended enterprises fast, reliable quality of service for Internet-centric application access without regard to user location.
''The combination of Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture and Cisco's industry leading routing technology will enable ASPs to provide customers reliable, high-performance access to applications, whether it's across the WAN, over a virtual private network (VPN) or via the public Internet,'' said Traver Gruen-Kennedy, director of advanced business development for Citrix. ''This announcement marks a significant step in furthering the emerging ASP market and underscores our mutual commitment to delivering innovative, quality solutions to ASPs and their customers.''
''In order to deliver value, the emerging ASP industry requires fast, reliable and economical connections to their customers,'' said Eugene Lee, vice president of small/medium business marketing for Cisco Systems, Inc. ''Managing network service levels for interactive application hosting is the next logical step in Cisco's ability to deliver the products network operators need as they evolve their businesses.''
ICA-aware Cisco IOS software configurations will automatically reduce router hops and latency by applying soft Quality of Service (QoS) across routers on virtual private networks (VPNs), the public Internet, or intranets/extranets without increasing latency. As a result, the end-user experience across extensive WANs will be more interactive and real-time.
Enabled by server-based computing, ASPs provide IT professionals and consumers transparent access to applications, ranging from high-end enterprise software to office productivity packages for a set fee. These applications and associated data are managed centrally by ASPs in specialized data centers, allowing IT professionals to focus on their core business -- not on the technology required to run their businesses.
About Citrix MetaFrame and WinFrame
Citrix MetaFrame and WinFrame server-based computing software are transforming the way organizations deploy, manage and access business applications across the extended enterprise - regardless of client hardware, operating platform, network connection or available bandwidth, providing improved application manageability, access, performance and security. MetaFrame and WinFrame deliver reduced cost of ownership and increased manageability through centralized application deployment and management.
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 MetaFrameTM 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.
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, 1998 on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Citrix®, WinFrame® and ICA® are registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. MultiWinTM and MetaFrameTM are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. for which there are pending applications for registration in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Cisco IOS is a registered trademark of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the USA and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Contact:
Citrix Systems, Inc.
Vicky Harris, 954/267-2246
vickyh@citrix.com |
