Citrix Broadens Market for Server-based Computing Through New Licensing
Agreements
(Business Wire; 01/27/99)
FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (Jan. 27) BUSINESS WIRE -Jan. 27, 1999--
-- Nine New OEMs License Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture to
Develop Set-Top Appliances, Touchscreen Interfaces, 3D-Animated Training Tools --
With the goal of delivering Windows-based applications to the widest range of
users, Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS) today announced definitive licensing
agreements for its Independent Computing Architecture (ICA(R)) with nine
hardware and software manufacturers -- Acute Technologies, Inc., Datalight,
Inc., DT Research, Inc., Elo TouchSystems, FYI-Net, NEC Computer Systems
Division (NEC CSD), Sharp Electronics (UK) Ltd, Takaoka and The Watermann
Group. Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture, an emerging industry
standard for server-based computing, enables efficient deployment of Windows-
based applications throughout the enterprise, without regard to client
hardware, operating platform or available bandwidth.
Under the licensing agreements, the nine companies will embed Citrix's ICA
technology into a broad range of existing and future products, including
embedded operating systems (Datalight, Inc.), Windows CE devices (Sharp UK),
handheld PCs (NEC CSD and The Watermann Group), 3D-animated training tools (FYI-
Net), Windows-based terminals (Acute Technologies, Inc., DT Research, and
Takaoka), and touchscreen interfaces (Elo TouchSystems).
"Citrix has a singular vision that drives everything we do -- to make business-
critical applications accessible to the broadest spectrum of users," said
Janice Roberts, director of client business development for Citrix.
"The mainstream acceptance of server-based computing has resulted in an
increasing number of innovative ICA-based devices that reduce the complexities
of computing," continued Roberts. "These devices enable organizations to easily
access and manage business-critical applications from a central location.
Providing users with a broader choice of computing devices to access business-
critical applications is a major step toward making computing ubiquitous."
ICA has been licensed for incorporation into the following OEM products: --
Acute Technologies, Inc. - Acute Technologies, Inc. has licensed
Citrix's ICA technology for inclusion in its ThinCast Series of Windows-based
terminals, providing a proven, low-cost,
easy-to-use solution for centralized management, universal access and
improved security for business-critical applications. Now
available, the ThinCast Series offers users the choice of standalone Windows-
based terminals or devices with monitors built
in. -- Datalight, Inc. - Two of Datalight's system software products,
the ROM-DOS and WinLight operating systems, will include optional Citrix ICA
technology to deliver the cost and management benefits
of server-based computing to desktop and embedded thin client devices.
Datalight's ROM-DOS, a compact, MS-DOS 6.22 compatible
operating system, has been used in thin clients with ICA since 1996.
Datalight's Windows-compatible operating system, WinLight,
has been enhanced to offer a "Windows 95" style interface for launching an
ICA client in a multi-tasking environment in less
than two megabytes. The Citrix ICA technology will round out the current
Datalight thin client software offering, which includes a
BIOS and TCP/IP stack along with ROM-DOS and WinLight. Located in Arlington,
WA, company information can be found at
www.datalight.com. -- DT Research, Inc. - Located in Milpitas, CA, this
OEM/ODM will launch a comprehensive line of thin client devices that will incorporate
Citrix's ICA client software. DT Research's Client
series of thin client products includes modular and integrated (CRT and TFT
LCD-based) Windows-based terminals with built-in ICA
support, to be available during the first quarter of this year.
-- Elo TouchSystems - Fremont, CA-based Elo TouchSystems, the global
leader in touchscreen technology for kiosks, point-of-sale and point-of-
information transactions, provides their technology to
thin client hardware providers using the Microsoft Windows CE operating
system. With Citrix's ICA technology, Elo's complete
line of LCD and CRT touch monitors offer significant benefits for self-
service and employee-activated solutions, offering reduced
training time, higher input accuracy and faster service time. Elo also
provides the interface and touchscreen technology in the
direct ICA environment. Additional information on all Elo products can be
found at www.elotouch.com or by calling
800-ELOTOUCH. -- FYI-Net - Targeting the telecommunications industry, FYI-
Net will utilize Citrix's ICA technology to make high-end training and sales software
available to customers in a subscription format.
With Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture, FYI-Net offers
sophisticated, 3D-animated network design and analysis
applications, making available education and training experiences that were
previously cost-prohibitive. --
NEC Computer Systems Division - Featuring a highly portable form
factor, the NEC MobilePro family of handheld PC companions offers users the
ability to send and receive email, browse the Internet,
and create and deliver PowerPoint presentations while on the road. Through
Citrix ICA, MobilePro users will gain
high-performance access to full-function, Windows-based applications
executing on Citrix WinFrame(R) or MetaFrame(TM)
servers over wireless, dial-up or LAN connections. The ICA client software is
now available to MobilePro users as an optional
accessory. It can be purchased via the company's Web site at www.nec-
computers.com or by calling 1-888/863-2669. NEC CSD is
headquartered in Mountain View, CA. -- Sharp Electronics UK Ltd (the Sales
& Marketing subsidiary of
Japan's Sharp Corporation) -- Complementing Sharp's existing range of mobile
computing and communications solutions, the
arrival of the PV-5000 and HC-4600 demonstrates the high level of flexibility
now available in the new class of ultra-portable
computing devices. The integration of Citrix's ICA technology provides
corporate users, particularly mobile workers or sales
staff, reliable, cost-effective access to off-the-shelf and corporate desktop
applications via Citrix WinFrame, MetaFrame
and Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition. -- Takaoka -
Takaoka, a leading thin-client manufacturer in Japan,
has licensed Citrix's ICA technology for the very first Windows-based
terminals in Japan. As the pioneer of the Japanese
thin client market, Takaoka has been exploring new models of thin clients
since 1989. With Citrix's ICA technology, Takaoka's
Windows-based terminals offer the high-performance and flexibility necessary
in today's competitive enterprise. Takaoka
can be reached at www.takaoka.co.jp/system/. -- The Watermann Group -
Building on its expertise in providing
thin client/wireless solutions, The Watermann Group will utilize Citrix ICA
technology to expand the functionality of its existing
clients to address the specific needs of a variety of different
manufacturers' platforms and/or specific application
environments, as well as to enhance functionality in wireless environments.
The company, located in Bohemia, NY, also plans to
expand ICA capabilities to include technologies such as signature capture,
handwriting recognition, voice capture and recognition.
About Citrix ICA
With over two million concurrent user licenses since its introduction in 1995,
the Citrix Independent Computing Architecture (ICA) is an emerging industry
standard for server-based computing. Citrix's Independent Computing
Architecture includes a server software component, a network protocol
component, and a client software component. On the server, ICA separates
application logic from the user interface and executes 100% of the application
on the server. The ICA network protocol transports keystrokes, mouse clicks and
screen updates over standard protocols to the client, consuming less than 20
kilobits-per-second of network bandwidth. On the client, users see and work
only with the application's interface.
About Citrix
Founded in 1989, Citrix Systems, Inc. is a leader in system software for server-
based computing. The WinFrame(R) and MetaFrame(Tm) product lines and
Independent Computing Architecture (ICA(R)) technology are marketed through a
worldwide business alliance of value-added resellers, system integrators, OEM
licensees and industry associates. Citrix is based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. and
is traded on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol CTXS. For more
information, please visit the Citrix Website at http://www.citrix.com.
For Citrix Investors
Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are
cautioned that statements in this press release which are not strictly
historical statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding
current or future financial performance, management's plans and objectives for
future operations, product plans and performance, management's assessment of
market factors, as well as statements regarding the strategy and plans of the
company and its strategic partners, constitute forward-looking statements which
involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks
associated with the company's reliance upon its strategic relationships with
Microsoft and other strategic partners, dependence upon broad-based acceptance
of the company's ICA protocol, management of growth, market acceptance of new
products or new versions of existing products, the possibility of undetected
software errors, and dependence on proprietary technology, as well as risks of
downturns in economic conditions generally, and in the software industry
specifically, and risks associated with competition, competitive pricing
pressures and year 2000 compliance efforts of the Company and third parties on
which the Company is dependent. For a more detailed description of the risk
factors associated with the company, please refer to the company's Annual
Report or Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 and the Quarterly
Report or Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998 on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, and its Form 10-K for the year ending
December 31, 1998 to be filed with the Commission.
Citrix(R), WinFrame(R) and ICA(R) are registered trademarks of Citrix Systems,
Inc. MultiWin(TM) and MetaFrame(TM) are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. for
which there are pending applications for registration in the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property
of their respective owners.
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