The number of highly mobile workers as a segment of total employees is growing dramatically. IDC expects that by 2015 they are expected to make up nearly 40 percent of the workforce*. As a result, the number of laptops used by professional workers is exploding. Industry analysts see the growth in mobile devices like tablets and smartphones as complementary to PCs, making it more important than ever to have a holistic, enterprise-wide desktop virtualization strategy that enables anywhere, anytime access to desktops, applications and data from any device. IT will continue to invest in laptops for mobile and office-based workers, and must address the deployment, management and security challenges that go with these devices, while faced with the added demands mobile devices introduce to the enterprise.
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*Source: IDC press release, “Mobile Worker Population to Reach 1.3 Billion by 2015, According to IDC,” January 5, 2012

XenClient is a key component of the Citrix portfolio of desktop virtualization solutions, which includes market-leading products like Citrix XenDesktop® and Citrix XenApp®. Together, these solutions make it easy for people to access their business apps and desktops on any device they choose, including more than two billion PCs, Macs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. XenClient is specifically designed to target corporate laptop users, giving them all the benefits of virtual desktops on the go, even while disconnected from the network.

Virtual Computer is an ideal choice to accelerate the XenClient strategy. The company, located minutes from the Citrix Boston area offices in Bedford, MA, has long focused on scalable, centralized management solutions for Xen-based client hypervisors. Its technology includes world-class backup, disaster recovery, provisioning, security and monitoring capabilities that make it simple for administrators to create, deploy and synchronize virtual desktops running on corporate laptops.

The terms of the acquisition of Virtual Computer were not disclosed.

Quotes
“We have seen a tremendous amount of success with XenClient in our customer base, enabling enterprises to extend the benefits of virtual desktops to mobile workers. These customers are looking to take their virtual desktop deployments even further, and with the acquisition of Virtual Computer, we are able to rapidly accelerate innovation in client virtualization. This will lead to more highly-scalable centralized management, a high-performance user experience, and tighter integration with XenDesktop, which will help customers deliver virtual desktops to mobile workers.”
- Mitch Parker, Group Vice President and General Manager, Client Virtualization at Citrix

“Virtual Computer had been on the ambitious journey to bring client-hosted virtualization to the masses. As we evaluated our options for the future, it became clear that the synergy we share with Citrix, its vision for XenClient, and the complementary nature of the work we have both done in this space would be a stellar combination. We’re excited to become part of the de-facto leader in desktop virtualization, and accelerate our plans to create a win-win for our combined customers and business partners.”
- Dan McCall, Chief Executive Officer, Virtual Computer Inc.

“IDC expects that the percentage of mobile workers will only increase over time. As companies adopt desktop virtualization, they will require the ability to deliver the same IT services to workers on the go that they can to office-based users. Solutions like Citrix XenClient and Virtual Computer can address this population. The combination of these powerful technologies into one solution has the potential to really make an impact, and Citrix is showing a strong commitment to advancing its client virtualization strategy.”
- Brett Waldman, Senior Research Analyst, Cloud and Virtualization System Software at IDC

“We are using Citrix XenClient today as a key part of our innovative SmarTop® virtualized workplaces service. Our customers are already seeing great value in the solution and we believe the addition of Virtual Computer to the Citrix XenClient team will help us to further accelerate adoption of our service and to deliver the continued innovation our customers demand.”
- Heiko Timmerkamp, Product Portfolio Manager for Workplace Services at Swisscom IT Services

“We’re very excited about the combination of Virtual Computer and Citrix.  We already use Virtual Computer NxTop  in an integrated deployment with XenDesktop, and we know that adding the resources Citrix brings to the table will further accelerate the innovation for this market-leading client virtualization solution. With this acquisition, Citrix will be the only company that completely addresses all of the use cases for desktop virtualization – ranging from stationary task workers to highly mobile laptop users.”
- Hal Smith, Head of PC infrastructure Support for BryanLGH
(a hospital system with over 4,000 staff members)

Three XenClient Editions
With the addition of the Virtual Computer technology to the XenClient portfolio, XenClient will be available in three editions covering a variety of uses.

• XenClient Enterprise – will be available in Q2, 2012 as a standalone product and will also be included as part of XenDesktop Enterprise and Platinum. Customers can get a taste of what’s coming next for XenClient Enterprise by downloading the Virtual Computer NxTop solution today.
• XenClient XT – is currently available and designed to deliver the most extreme isolation and security available.
• XenClient Express – is currently available and designed for IT pros and test and development professionals as a free, high performance local virtual desktop solution for running multiple virtual machines.

Related Links

• Expert blog: XenClient – Fast Forward
• Expert blog: XenClient Use Case Series – Executive Mobility with XenClient, XenDesktop and ShareFile
• Download Virtual Computer NxTop
• Virtual Computer – XenClient FAQ

Follow Us Online

• Citrix XenClient page
• Twitter: @Citrix, @XenClient
• XenClient on Facebook
• Citrix on Facebook

About Citrix
Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS) transforms how businesses and IT work and people collaborate in the cloud era. With market-leading cloud, collaboration, networking and virtualization technologies, Citrix powers mobile workstyles and cloud services, making complex enterprise IT simpler and more accessible for 260,000 organizations. Citrix products touch 75 percent of Internet users each day and it partners with more than 10,000 companies in 100 countries. Annual revenue in 2011 was $2.21 billion. Learn more at http://www.citrix.com.

For 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, including, without limitation, statements by the company and its executives concerning the acquisition of Virtual Computer; the anticipated growth of the mobile workers segment and use of laptops and mobile devices; integration plans and synergies; capabilities of certain of Virtual Computer’s technologies; expectations for XenClient Enterprise; and management’s plans, objectives and strategies, constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the reaction of customers of Citrix and Virtual Computer to the acquisition; Citrix timing and ability to successfully support and integrate Virtual Computer’s technologies, products, operations (including migration of Virtual Computer to Citrix systems and controls) and employees; the introduction of new technologies and products by competitors or the entry of new competitors into the markets for Citrix and Virtual Computer technologies and products; the failure by Citrix to retain key employees of Virtual Computer; failure to further develop and successfully market Virtual Computer’s technologies and products, including failure to execute Citrix sales and marketing plans and failure to successfully partner with key distributors, resellers, original equipment manufacturers and strategic partners; failure to achieve or maintain anticipated revenues and operating performance contributions from Virtual Computer; failure to comply with federal, state and international regulations; the impact of the global economy and uncertainty in the IT spending environment, including Citrix European markets; the success and growth of the company’s product lines; the company’s product concentration and its ability to develop and commercialize new products and services while maintaining sales of its established products; disruptions due to changes in key personnel and succession risks; seasonal fluctuations in the company’s business; the company’s reliance on and the success of partners for the marketing and distribution of the company’s products; the company’s ability to maintain and expand its business in small sized and large enterprise accounts; the size, timing and recognition of revenue from significant orders; the success of investments in its product groups, foreign operations and vertical and geographic markets; the management of anticipated future growth; the recruitment and retention of qualified employees; risks in effectively controlling operating expenses, including failure to manage unexpected expenses; impairment of the value of the company’s investments; the effect of new accounting pronouncements on revenue and expense recognition; litigation and disputes, including challenges to our intellectual property rights or allegations of infringement of the intellectual property rights of third parties; the inability to further innovate our technology due to the intellectual property rights of third parties; changes in the company’s pricing and licensing models, promotional programs and product mix, all of which may impact Citrix revenue recognition or those of its competitors; charges in the event of the impairment of assets acquired through business combinations and licenses; competition, international market readiness and execution risks; unanticipated changes in tax rates or exposure to additional tax liabilities; risks of political and social turmoil and 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 products or services or features or functionality described for our products or services 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.

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Citrix®, XenDesktop®, Citrix XenClient® and Citrix XenApp® 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.