Citrix Systems Inc previewed the first technology to arise out of its acquisition of Viewsoft Inc at its user group meeting in Orlando yesterday. Vertigo, which is due to be launched in its final version next year, will eventually be integrated into Citrix’s mainstream MetaFrame product line. It uses ViewSoft technology to enable the development of Windows-like interfaces for web-based applications. ViewSoft was acquired by Citrix back in June (CI No 3,701).
Citrix also demonstrated Charlotte, a further development of its Program Neighborhood user profile application for web users. Citrix needs to offer web alternatives to its proprietary thin-client technology, which enables Windows NT to act as a multi-user server through its ICA protocol. The company says it sees a new opportunity in the applications service provider business.
Separately, Canadian application service provider FutureLink Distribution Corp has acquired two more Citrix integrators, for a total of $33m in cash. The two companies are Async Technologies Inc of Detroit, Michigan and CN Networks Inc of Pleasanton, California. FutureLink says the deal will add 285 employees and $40m in annualized revenue. The company paid $51m for top Citrix reseller Micro Visions Inc back in June (CI No 3,765).
