Local representatives of Citrix Systems and Microsoft say the partnership between their companies is extremely strong in the run up to the release of Microsoft`s Windows "Longhorn" Server next year.
"Although there will be a 60% increase in user capabilities in Longhorn, none is aimed at replacing the terminal services provided by the Citrix MetaFrame Access Suite," says Manoj Bhoola, business group manager for server and tools at Microsoft SA.
In 2004, the companies extended their partnership by five years, with an agreement that gives Citrix continued access to the Windows Server code. At the time, Citrix said the agreement would assure its customers that Longhorn would not include competitive terminal services.
"It really wouldn`t make sense for Microsoft to compete in this very niche area where Citrix has all the necessary expertise to add value to the Windows Server platform," says Bhoola.
Chris Norton, country manager for Citrix Southern Africa, says locally and internationally, the alliance between the two companies continues to be strong.
According to Norton, Citrix delivers an incremental revenue stream of up to $400 million a year for Microsoft, through selling Windows Server licensing for customers using MetaFrame Presentation Server that runs on the Microsoft Windows Terminal Server.
"There is no reason for Microsoft to go to the trouble and expense of employing sales representatives to drive that incremental revenue, when Citrix is already doing it," he says.
Bhoola confirms Microsoft has a closer relationship with Citrix than any other independent software vendor.
"Code sharing at the highest level means that the each benefits from the other`s success," he says.
Related stories:
Alliances with everything
New Citrix offering for Windows Vista
Share