Citrix' strategy is your moment of Xen
John called soon after introducing XenSource OEM edition, which he called a key to making virtualization into a standard PC capability over the next two years.
"By the end of 2008 at least half the server volume in x86 will include an option for XenExpress OEM edition. That’s a 20x expansion of our market."
Citrix' acquisition of XenSource, announced last month, has now gotten regulatory approval and should close next quarter, Bara said. XenSource will become a Citrix division, and Bara said a 400% gain in employment is then anticipated by the end of 2008.
"Xensource brings server virtualization and storage virtualization. Citrix delivers application and desktop virtualization., We intend to connect those into one platform that is virtualized. We haven’t published the schedule, but you’ll see a stream of announcements on our joint plans beginning at the Citrix iForum in October," he said.
Bara added he is not jealous of VMWare, which chose an IPO while XenSource was being acquired, and is now worth nearly $30 billion. Citrix paid about $500 million for XenSource and is now worth about $6.7 billion.
"Xensource is only three years old. VMWare has been around 10 years. We’ve created a lot of value," he said. And VMWare's public status makes its actions a roadmap for XenSource.
"You’ve seen all these VMWare announcements? Look at these as two paths for OEMs. Most will choose both, I believe. The deals VMWare announced are non-exclusive. We’re talking to the same people."
Should be fun.