Today`s IT departments are under pressure to deliver applications quickly with little or no impact to the business at all. This is one of the key themes at Citrix iForum 2002T Africa, in Midrand on 23 July, where delegates will learn how they can bring new applications online in minutes, instead of months.
"In a business world transformed by globalisation, IT staff must be able to extend the enterprise to anywhere within the virtual workplace. They must deliver business-critical applications and information quickly and efficiently," says Chris Norton, channel manager at Citrix Systems SA, the local office of Citrix Systems, Inc (Nasdaq:CTXS), a global leader in application serving and portal software and services.
According to Norton, continuous access to real-time information is integral to business success. Accomplishing this across the Internet, or any network, requires robust, centralised application delivery and management capabilities. The solution must be scalable, reliable, manageable and secure.
"Companies also need to instantly Web-enable any existing Windows or Unix applications," he adds.
"Citrix`s solutions work to effectively reduce or eliminate the obvious and hidden costs of deploying or upgrading enterprise applications and office productivity software.
"Traditional approaches carry high costs in IT staff time, prolonged implementation schedules and unwanted delays before new software begins producing results."
On the other hand, server-based computing solutions are designed to enable secure, instant-on delivery of full-featured applications from a single point over any connection, for immediate savings and productivity.
Delivery of new applications and upgrades to existing software is made on centrally-managed servers, while individual desktops are never touched.
"The server-based model updates client code centrally, reducing the impact on users and IT staff, when market pressures force business processes to change," says Norton.
"As a result, installations and changeovers that used to take months can now be completed in minutes. Integration of new users following mergers and acquisitions can be handled just as quickly. This entire process is performed without disrupting employees, so productivity is maintained."
According to Norton, the economic benefits are just as significant.
"This streamlined approach lowers IT operating expenses by reducing the ongoing time and costs of administration, support, version control and training. Return on investment is increased by extending the life of existing technologies and eliminating the need for frequent client desktop upgrades," he says.
Furthermore, legacy applications can be instantly Web-enabled with no redevelopment costs. Existing Web applications can be upgraded remotely without servicing client PCs.
"Citrix solutions for application deployment address the competitive company`s need to deploy business-critical applications and data across the extended enterprise - while simultaneously lowering the total cost of ownership for technology infrastructure," Norton concludes.
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Citrix iForum Africa is the IT conference of the year for anyone looking for an opportunity to learn how business access software and access portal technology are beneficial to the enterprise.
The conference will feature over 15 tracks, ideal for network managers, systems engineers, CIOs and senior decision-makers. The tracks will provide in-depth technical focus and demonstrations on how specific technical issues can be overcome. Other tracks will illustrate the business benefits that can be gained by implementing Citrix technology, with an emphasis on customer participation.
Citrix
Citrix Systems, Inc is a global leader in virtual workplace software and services that provide access to applications, information, processes and people on any device, over any network, anywhere, anytime. Citrix makes today`s digital office completely virtual - instead of having to go to your office, the office follows you. Working with the world`s top industry, integration and consulting partners, Citrix delivers enterprise-ready solutions to business challenges including application deployment, remote office connectivity, workforce mobility and business continuity. More than 120 000 companies worldwide use Citrix Solutions for the Virtual Workplace to give users more mobility, give IT organisations more flexibility and reduce the cost of computing.
Citrix offers two families of products that enable virtual access to information: Application Server software, including MetaFrame XP, MetaFrame for Windows and MetaFrame for Unix; and Access Portal software, including NFuse Elite and NFuse Classic. The company markets its products through a well-established indirect channel comprising more than 7 000 resellers, integrators and consultants. In fiscal 2001, the company had net revenues of $591.6 million. Citrix is traded on the Nasdaq Stock MarketSM under the symbol CTXS, and is part of the Standard and Poor`s 500 Index. Citrix is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please visit the Citrix Web site at http://www.citrix.com.
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