Citrix and Microsoft Expand Desktop Virtualization Partnership to Simplify Desktop Management

Integration of Industry Leading Desktop Virtualization and Desktop Management Infrastructure Lowers Costs via Unified Management and Delivers Next Generation User-Centric Computing

NEW ORLEANS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS) today announced plans with Microsoft to simplify desktop computing by extending their desktop virtualization partnership. This integration will enable enterprise customers to manage all of their Windows desktops and applications from a common platform to deliver a consistent user experience to any device, anywhere. The combined solution will unify management of physical and virtual desktops and applications via one management platform, Microsoft System Center, while delivering a consistent experience for Citrix users on any device from any location via one universal client, Citrix Receiver.

Enterprise IT organizations will be able to manage both distributed and centrally hosted applications using Citrix® XenApp™ and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. Citrix XenApp will also extend Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) to enable self-service delivery of applications on any device using Citrix Receiver™ and Citrix Dazzle™. In addition, Citrix announced plans to extend integration of Citrix® XenDesktop™ with the new Microsoft VDI Suite licenses to enhance the companies’ joint virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution.

“In today’s challenging economic climate, IT needs to simplify computing with fewer moving parts, and at the same time meet the increasing requirements of its business and users,” said Gordon Payne, senior vice president and general manager, Delivery Systems Division, Citrix Systems. “By integrating our market leading desktop virtualization and management solutions, Citrix and Microsoft simplify IT service delivery and enhance end user productivity with a unified management platform and one universal client.”

Simplifying Delivery of Applications to Managed and Unmanaged Desktops

Citrix and Microsoft will simplify application delivery for physical and virtual desktops. Citrix will offer a System Center Configuration Manager connector for XenApp that enables IT to deliver applications to any device - including managed or unmanaged Windows and non-Windows end points. Together, Citrix and Microsoft will enable IT to leverage their existing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager investments to publish, manage and report on both XenApp and App-V applications. This integration is planned for availability in 1H 2010.

“Together, Citrix and Microsoft are taking a significant next step to deliver seamless, comprehensive application and desktop virtualization solutions by helping companies maximize their existing technology investments,” said Brad Anderson, general manager, Management and Services Division, Microsoft Corp. “For customers using System Center Configuration Manager and XenApp, this connector will provide deeper control of their virtualization infrastructure, lower costs by reusing existing infrastructure and simplify administration across both products by unifying the management experience for physical and virtual assets in the enterprise.”