Citrix launches MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3

Citrix Systems, Inc, the global leader in access infrastructure solutions, has announced the latest version of the world`s most widely deployed presentation server, Citrix MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3. The new solution will be available on 22 May 2003 and will also be featured at Citrix iForum Gauteng, to be held at Vodaworld on 24 July 2003.

The new product embraces and extends the application and information access capabilities of Microsoft`s latest family of servers, Windows Server 2003. The foundation of the Citrix MetaFrame Access Suite, which Citrix announced last month, the Citrix MetaFrame XP Presentation Server enables IT staffs to centrally manage heterogeneous applications and provide access to them from anywhere, anytime, using any device over any connection.

"It is an exceptional technical foundation for building highly scalable, flexible, secure and manageable access solutions that can reduce computing costs and increase the utility of any information system," says Chris Norton, channel manager for Citrix South Africa.

According to Norton Citrix MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3 is certified to run on Microsoft Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. It provides easy, secure and instant access to virtually any custom or commercially available Windows or Web application from almost any client device across any network connection. Through support for Windows Server 2003, MetaFrame XP Presentation Server also provides the access infrastructure to deploy and manage XML Web services with the benefits of centralised administration and improved application performance.

"As one of the world`s largest integrated energy companies with employees across the globe, its essential that we have access infrastructure software in place that allows us to easily manage and deploy business-critical applications regardless of our employees` location," said Brad Guss, Systems Engineer at ChevronTexaco. "With Citrix as our primary solution for enterprise-wide remote access and application publishing, we`re able to do just that. The enhanced security, manageability and administration built into Citrix MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3 along with the new printing options provide an additional level of usability and scalability that will allow us to better manage our 70 server farm and provide our 10 000 users with access to the applications they need, enhancing workforce productivity while eliminating the need for additional IT expense."

Key benefits of MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3

MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3 extends the benefits of Windows Server 2003, Terminal Server by offering improved flexibility, manageability and security for both administrators and users, and reduces the total cost and the complexity of enterprise computing. Benefits include:

* Universal printing - Reduces administrative maintenance by eliminating the need to install multiple print drivers, and enhances print quality by offering a single, universal driver for colour and high resolution printing to any client printer that supports colour.

* Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) - Allows administrators to monitor MetaFrame XP Presentation Servers from the same familiar console they are already using to manage their Windows-based servers.

* New client and heterogeneous platform support - Enhanced ICA Clients for Java, 32-bit Windows and MacOS X allow users to maintain a consistent experience and improved performance when connecting to MetaFrame XP Presentation Server from almost any client device.

* Web interface - Includes support for RSA SecurID, Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140 security compliance, and multiple server farm support.

* Simplified licence activation - Saves time and effort required to activate multiple MetaFrame XP Presentation Server licences and allows administrators to back-up multiple licences simultaneously for business continuity purposes.

* Enhanced resource manager - Delivers detailed server farm information that enables administrators to quickly isolate the cause of server problems and resolve potential issues before they occur.

"Citrix is committed to continuing to improve and enrich our industry leading products to directly address our customers` requirements for access infrastructure solutions that power the on-demand enterprise and extend their existing computing investments," said Norton. "MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3 can significantly lower enterprise computing costs by providing optimised server efficiency while delivering both administrator and end user enhancements. With this latest version of the MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, we`re delivering greater flexibility and cost-savings in end-to-end enterprise application access - and laying a powerful foundation for the complete Citrix MetaFrame Access Suite that we are rolling out this quarter."

Citrix will offer two new e-learning courses and one new instructor-led training course to support the administration of MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3. Available in May, these courses will also offer training on the advanced management capabilities of MetaFrame XP Presentation Server, Feature Release 3 as well as deploying and securing applications over the Web.