Citrix Systems Bundles Remote Access Software

Citrix Systems Inc. would like to make its voice heard in the chorus singing the praises of on-demand computing.

The developer at its iForum user conference in Orlando, Fla., last week rolled out a new bundling of its remote access software as well as partnerships with IBM, SAP AG and others.

These moves reinforce Citrixs claim that it can provide an application access infrastructure that is on par in the enterprise with security, network and enterprise application infrastructures, according to Rick Braddy, vice president of product management and architecture.

"Its about enabling the on-demand enterprise, making applications and resources available on any device," Braddy said.

Central to that message is Citrix MetaFrame Access Suite, a bundle that includes four of the Fort Lauderdale, Fla., companys MetaFrame access products: Presentation Server, Secure Access Manager, Password Manager and Conferencing Manager.

The package enables IT departments to deliver, manage and monitor access to corporate applications by mobile and in-house users and is priced at $599 per concurrent user for new customers.

For Citrix customers that already have Presentation Server, Access Suite is priced at $299 or $399 per concurrent user, based on the level of functionality customers require.

Citrix is looking to lower the cost of running its software by as much as 25 to 30 percent by providing a CMI (Common Management Interface) across all its offerings, which would enable administrators to define users and settings only once, Braddy said.

The CMI currently applies only to the companys Presentation Server, but Braddy expects Citrix will demonstrate a CMI running across its entire line by the iForum show next year, he said.

Citrix extended its reach into the applications of some big partners. The company released a new portlet that lets Presentation Server customers integrate their applications with IBMs WebSphere Portal. IBM, of Armonk, N.Y., also strengthened its systems integration partnership with Citrix.