Citrix adds virtual machine delivery to XenApp's bag of tricks

Citrix just launched a new version of it's XenApp application virtualization and application delivery product. This would allow the system to deliver the appropriate software to a client device. Access to an application, the application itself or a complete virtual system supporting that application could all be made to appear upon demand and depending upon the individual's need.

Here's what Citrix has to say about this new release:

Today Citrix Systems, Inc., announced significant new enhancements to Citrix® XenApp™ 5 that add the ability to deliver on-demand applications from virtual machines (VMs) running desktop operating systems such as Windows 7, Vista and Windows XP. The new VM-based model complements delivery methods already included in XenApp, including the ability to host shared applications centrally via Windows Terminal Services or stream them to a PC or laptop to run locally. With the addition of VM hosted applications, XenApp 5 now offers 100 percent application compatibility with minimal testing and validation requirements – making XenApp the fastest, simplest and most cost-effective way to deliver Windows applications to any user in any location. In addition to VM hosted applications, XenApp 5 also features new capabilities for power and capacity management as well as Citrix® HDX™ Technology enhancements, such as HDX™ MediaStream for Flash, that deliver a high-definition experience for even the most intensive multimedia applications.

Snapshot analysis

Citrix has been one of the leaders in access virtualization, application and processing virtualization. It has a product portfolio that is comprehensive. Only Microsoft and VMware have a portfolio of products that are equally comprehensive. Citrix's products integrate well with one another and offer enhanced levels of both security and manageability. Citrix also has gone the extra distance to manage pieces of the other two competitors' environments as well.

If an organization wishes to allow its staff to access important data and applications from anywhere, using just about any networkable device, over just about any network and all in a secure manageable way, Citrix should be on the short list. While Citrix's products may not always be an organization's choice, their products should be considered.