Citrix Systems, since its inception in the late 1980s, has held true to its vision of end-to-end delivery of all Windows-based applications with the best user experience in the most cost-effective, secure way possible. Citrix XenApp (the new name for Citrix Presentation Server) utilizes the power of the Microsoft Windows Server platform to deliver applications to all users and locations.  Citrix pioneered the concept of Windows server-based computing (SBC) to centralize the execution, management, maintenance, and delivery of applications. This model has allowed users to securely access their application environment from the office, from home, from anywhere in the world, with one logon, without the worry of losing computing or data assets. Citrix has recently extended its solution to   include application virtualization and streaming. Citrix has also leveraged recent acquisitions to provide a complete end-to-end line of sight for application delivery. This further improves both the user experience and centralized management of applications. Cirtix’s strong business and co-development relationship with Microsoft has allowed it to build strong virtualization solutions on the Windows Server platform while delivering applications over the network. This Focus profile looks at Citrix and the Citrix XenApp solution.

Keywords: Citrix, Xen, Presentation Server, server-based computing, SBC, application virtualization, application streaming, client-hosted, server-hosted, secure access, Terminal Services, virtual sandbox, single sign-on, incremental patching, offline, disconnected,  Web portal