Citrix Systems and Microsoft have extended their desktop virtualisation partnership to simplify desktop computing. The companies said the integration will enable enterprise customers to manage their Windows desktops and applications from a common platform to deliver a consistent user experience to any device.
The companies claimed that the combined offering will unify management of physical and virtual desktops and applications via one management platform, Microsoft System Centre, while delivering a consistent experience for Citrix users on any device from any location via one universal client, Citrix Receiver.
According to the companies, enterprise IT organisations will be able to manage both distributed and centrally hosted applications using Citrix XenApp application virtualisation and Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager. Citrix XenApp will also extend Microsoft Application Virtualisation (App-V) to enable self-service delivery of applications on any device using Citrix Receiver and Citrix Dazzle.
In addition, Citrix revealed its plans to extend integration of its XenDesktop with the new Microsoft VDI suite licenses to enhance the companies’ joint virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) offering. Besides, Citrix and Microsoft are expected to enable IT to leverage their existing Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager investments to publish, manage and report on both XenApp and App-V applications. This integration is planned for availability in H1 2010.
Brad Anderson, general manager of management and services division at Microsoft, said: “Together, Citrix and Microsoft are taking a significant next step to deliver seamless, comprehensive application and desktop virtualisation solutions by helping companies maximise their existing technology investments.
For customers using System Centre Configuration Manager and XenApp, this connector will provide deeper control of their virtualisation 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.”
Citrix Receiver is a universal software client that provides access to virtual applications and desktops on any device. This integration is planned for availability in 2009.
Introduced at Citrix Synergy in May 2009, Citrix Dazzle is claimed to be the self-service storefront for enterprise applications giving employees self-service access to the applications they need to work on without any training. This integration is planned for availability in H1 2010.
