Citrix and Microsoft Expand Desktop Virtualization Partnership to Simplify Desktop Management

Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS) today announced plans with Microsoft to simplify desktop computing by extending their desktop virtualization partnership. This integration will enable enterprise customers to manage all of their Windows desktops and applications from a common platform to deliver a consistent user experience to any device, anywhere. The combined solution will unify management of physical and virtual desktops and applications via one management platform, Microsoft System Center, while delivering a consistent experience for Citrix users on any device from any location via one universal client, Citrix Receiver.

Enterprise IT organizations will be able to manage both distributed and centrally hosted applications using Citrix® XenApp™ and Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. Citrix XenApp will also extend Microsoft Application Virtualization (App-V) to enable self-service delivery of applications on any device using Citrix Receiver™ and Citrix Dazzle™. In addition, Citrix announced plans to extend integration of Citrix® XenDesktop™ with the new Microsoft VDI Suite licenses to enhance the companies’ joint virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution.

"In today’s challenging economic climate, IT needs to simplify computing with fewer moving parts, and at the same time meet the increasing requirements of its business and users,” said Gordon Payne, senior vice president and general manager, Delivery Systems Division, Citrix Systems. "By integrating our market leading desktop virtualization and management solutions, Citrix and Microsoft simplify IT service delivery and enhance end user productivity with a unified management platform and one universal client.”

Simplifying Delivery of Applications to Managed and Unmanaged Desktops

Citrix and Microsoft will simplify application delivery for physical and virtual desktops. Citrix will offer a System Center Configuration Manager connector for XenApp that enables IT to deliver applications to any device - including managed or unmanaged Windows and non-Windows end points. Together, Citrix and Microsoft will enable IT to leverage their existing Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager investments to publish, manage and report on both XenApp and App-V applications. This integration is planned for availability in 1H 2010.

"Together, Citrix and Microsoft are taking a significant next step to deliver seamless, comprehensive application and desktop virtualization solutions by helping companies maximize their existing technology investments,” said Brad Anderson, general manager, Management and Services Division, Microsoft Corp. "For customers using System Center Configuration Manager and XenApp, this connector will provide deeper control of their virtualization infrastructure, lower costs by reusing existing infrastructure and simplify administration across both products by unifying the management experience for physical and virtual assets in the enterprise.”

Providing Users a High-definition, Easy-to-use and Self-service Experience

Citrix Receiver is a lightweight universal software client that makes accessing virtual applications and desktops on any device as easy as turning on your TV. By integrating App-V into Citrix Receiver, users will be able to access all their applications with a common user experience using any device online or offline. This approach radically simplifies desktop management for IT and gives end users far more flexibility and independence in how and where they work. This integration is planned for availability in 2H 2009.

Introduced at Citrix Synergy™ in May 2009, Citrix Dazzle (see press release) is the first self-service "storefront" for enterprise applications giving employees self-service access to the applications they need to work without any training. By integrating App-V into Citrix Dazzle, users will have easy access to their applications and IT services, bringing the economics of the web to enterprise IT. This integration is planned for availability in 1H 2010.

Delivering the Industry Leading Desktop Virtualization Solution on the Microsoft VDI Platform

Citrix XenDesktop is a key component of the joint VDI solution from Microsoft and Citrix, which offers enterprises industry-leading virtual desktop performance and enterprise scalability. The new Microsoft VDI Suite licenses, announced today and available to Microsoft volume license customers in 4Q 2009, will provide further customer value and make it simpler for customers to acquire a platform for VDI. Citrix will fully support Microsoft VDI Suite and will continue to enhance the ability for customers to manage their physical and virtual desktops using the common Microsoft System Center suite of products.

About Citrix Systems

Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS) is a leading provider of virtualization, networking and software-as-a-service (SaaS) technologies for more than 230,000 organizations worldwide. Its Citrix Delivery Center™, Citrix Cloud Center™ (C3) and Citrix Online Services product families radically simplify computing for millions of users, delivering applications as an on-demand service to any user, in any location on any device. Citrix customers include the world’s largest Internet companies, 99 percent of Fortune Global 500 enterprises, and hundreds of thousands of small businesses and prosumers worldwide. Citrix partners with over 10,000 companies worldwide in more than 100 countries. Founded in 1989, annual revenue in 2008 was $1.6 billion.

For Citrix Investors

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance. Investors are cautioned that statements in this press release, which are not strictly historical statements, involve a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks associated with the uncertainty in the IT spending environment and a downturn in economic conditions generally, revenue growth and recognition of revenue, products, their development and distribution, product demand and pipeline, competitive factors, the Company’s key strategic relationships, acquisitions and related integration risks as well as other risks detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Citrix assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

The development, release and timing of any features or functionality described for our products remains at our sole discretion and is subject to change without notice or consultation. The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment, promise or legal obligation to deliver any material, code or functionality and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions or incorporated into any contract.

Citrix®, XenApp™, XenDesktop™, Citrix Receiver™, Citrix Dazzle™, Citrix Delivery Center™ and Citrix Cloud Center™ are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, and may be registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.