Citrix Launches Feature Release 1 for MetaFrame.

Business Editors

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 5, 2000

Enhanced User Experience and Web Application Deployment Features

Offer Additional Functionality on Windows NT(R)and

Windows(R)2000 Platforms

Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS) today announced availability of Citrix(R) MetaFrame(TM) 1.8, Feature Release 1 (hereafter MetaFrame FR1) that enhances the performance, improves the usability and increases the security of the company's application server solutions. MetaFrame FR1 provides delivery of new performance and management capabilities for customers of MetaFrame 1.8 for Windows(R) 2000 and MetaFrame 1.8 for Windows NT(R) 4.0 Terminal Server Edition (TSE). Performance enhancements include SpeedScreen(TM) 3 which provides instant keyboard feedback over slow links and a Web-based client installation feature; usability improvements include greater color depth and resolution, and the ability to pan and scale application user interfaces on small devices; security improvements include 128-bit encryption and pass-through authentication.

"We are delighted that Citrix is enhancing MetaFrame, its value-add solution that extends Windows 2000 Terminal Services," said David Hamilton, group product manager, Management Technologies, Microsoft Corp. "Our customers tell us that adding Citrix MetaFrame to Windows 2000 Terminal Services provides important additional capabilities for their heterogeneous environments, and this new feature release further helps deliver on that vision."

"Continuing to add value to Windows platforms is central to our product development strategy," said Matt Dircks, director of product management for Citrix. "The performance, usability and security enhancements in MetaFrame FR1 extend the capabilities of Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0 TSE, increasing the overall value we deliver to enterprise customers and application server providers (ASPs)."

"As the server-based computing market evolves, application serving technology from vendors such as Citrix is being forced to keep pace with an increasingly .com oriented world," said Neil MacDonald, vice president and research director with Gartner Group. "For example, TCP/IP support, browser integration and technologies like encryption and personalization are essential for the secure transmission of centrally managed applications and data over the Internet."

With the release of MetaFrame FR1, Citrix is also beginning a new modular software delivery process for its MetaFrame family of application server software. Based on customer input and market feedback, Citrix will segment product releases into Feature Releases and Platform Releases. This separation of Feature Releases, which consist of customer-focused upgrades and enhancements, and Platform Releases, which entail more significant architectural changes, enables Citrix to more quickly respond to enterprise and ASP market requirements. The newest enhancement to Citrix's award-winning MetaFrame application server product family, Feature Release 1 is part of the overall expansion of the Citrix product line, which includes application portal, application server and application service level management products. (See related announcements for details.) Detailed product training and demonstrations of Citrix MetaFrame FR1 will be available at Citrix iForum(TM) 2000, October 2-5 in Orlando.

"With increased focus on organizational agility and competitiveness in today's dynamic business environment, customers are demanding faster delivery of more powerful and flexible and approaches to deploying applications across the enterprise," added Dircks. "Citrix's new Feature Release approach will enable us to more effectively and efficiently meet customer needs in this area."

Customers

Citrix MetaFrame for Windows has received positive feedback from customers worldwide, including: ABM Industries, Chase Capital Partners, Lucent Technologies, Maritz Travel, Matrix Rehabilitation, Royal LePage and The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

"We have seen tremendous application performance improvements since we deployed MetaFrame - the time it takes our remote users to access information has been dramatically reduced," said Tom Becker, software development manager at Lucent Technologies. "In particular, we are using MetaFrame to better deploy the hefty scheduling tools which manage Lucent's installation activities. In order for this project to be successful, we needed MetaFrame - Citrix has enabled our project to go forward."

"MetaFrame is one of the easiest products we have ever dealt with, both in terms of performance management and upgrades," said Anthony Lackey, vice president of Electronic Services and chief technology officer, ABM Industries. "The updates offered in Feature Release 1 are exactly what we are looking for to enhance our use of MetaFrame. Additionally, this new delivery model from Citrix allows us to continuously gain additional value from our existing MetaFrame deployment."

"With MetaFrame, our travel professionals have quick access to mission-critical applications, therefore allowing us to provide the best possible customer service," said Richard Spradling, chief information officer of Maritz Travel. "MetaFrame has not only alleviated the necessity of upgrading our network and workstation infrastructure globally, but has also dramatically improved application performance, particularly for our remote users. We are pleased that Citrix is delivering enhancements to MetaFrame more often in this easy implementation model so that we can continue to improve the services we provide to our customers."

Key Features of Citrix MetaFrame 1.8, Feature Release 1

The new features and functionality in Feature Release 1 are being provided in three major areas: enhanced performance, improved usability and increased security.

Performance

-- SpeedScreen(TM) 3 Technology

SpeedScreen 3 technology enhances user experience with consistent performance regardless of network connection by reducing latency and improving the feel of the application. In comparison to earlier versions of this technology, SpeedScreen 3 technology further reduces bandwidth consumption, resulting in significant improvements in measured speed on restricted bandwidth connections.

- Text-entry Prediction

High-latency connections between client and server can cause delays in screen changes after data has been typed. SpeedScreen 3 technology enables users on restricted bandwidth connection to receive an instant response to typed data while the actual transmission to/from the server is completed. This feature increases user productivity and satisfaction especially over a slow or high-latency link.

- Instant Mouse-Click Feedback

To reduce latency while mouse-click changes are being transmitted to and from the server, SpeedScreen 3 provides an immediate change to the appearance of the mouse pointer while action is pending, giving users instant feedback.

-- Web TCP-based ICA(R)Browsing

With this feature, ICA clients can discover published applications without relying upon UDP (universal data packet) broadcasts. Using the standard TCP protocol makes it easier for data to traverse firewalls, enabling users - especially ASP customers - to access protected servers.

-- Web-based ICA Client Installation

With this feature, administrators can now install new ICA clients from a central Web server. If a user does not have an ICA client, the Web-based ICA Client Installation feature identifies the platform a user is on, and offers the opportunity to automatically download the appropriate client. Instead of having to touch every desktop throughout the organization, administrators save time and money by remotely installing ICA clients, thus extending MetaFrame's single-point management capabilities.

-- ICA Packet Tagging

This feature enables the prioritization of ICA virtual channel traffic by third-party network infrastructure and quality of service providers. This allows customers to maximize end user productivity while empowering administrators with the flexibility to prioritize ICA virtual channel traffic. The ability to prioritize ICA traffic is a significant advancement for customers to gain fast and high-performance access to applications, whether it is across the WAN, over a virtual private network (VPN) or the public Internet. This feature enables ASPs and information technology (IT) organizations to offer higher value-add services and service-level agreements for application access and performance.

Usability

-- Greater Color Depth

To derive the full effect of multimedia and high-end graphical applications, users need a system that supports a large array of colors. Feature Release 1 provides support for high-color (65,000) and true-color (16 million) sessions. Users enjoy enhanced, PC-like color quality, even on thin client devices. This feature is fully configurable by the administrator.

-- Greater Resolution

Like the subtle color graduations provided by high- and true-color sessions, sharper screen images created by a larger number of pixels also enhance the appearance of graphics and multimedia, and deliver a more satisfying user experience. Feature Release 1 increases screen resolution up to 64,000 by 64,000 pixels to enhance the appearance of custom applications.

-- Multi-monitor Support

Enabled by the greater resolution of Feature Release 1, this capability allows applications to span multiple monitors simultaneously within a single session. It is especially important to customers using large financial and graphic design applications requiring extended monitor support.

-- Application Save Position

This feature enables the client to remember the application's previous size and position. During the next session, the client opens the application with the previously stored size and position values. This feature enhances user efficiency and productivity by enabling a consistent workspace regardless of whether the application was opened locally or remotely.

-- Panning and Scaling

The increasing popularity of handheld devices and the growing number of interactive applications has created a challenge -- users need to access interactive applications from anywhere with the same functionality as from their office. Feature Release 1 provides two tools for navigating application images: scaling shrinks the image to fit the given window size; and panning moves the view window over the image, so only a portion is visible. These tools enable desktop applications to be used effectively on small devices.

Security

-- 128-bit Encryption

Feature Release 1 makes the capabilities of SecureICA(TM) an intrinsic part of MetaFrame. SecureICA protects data being sent over the network with a very high level of encryption. The use of 128-bit encryption creates a formidable barrier against unauthorized users attempting to interpret MetaFrame transmissions. SecureICA works with existing networks, including the Internet, RAS and direct asynchronous ICA connections. Further, it is transparent to users, with no measurable change in response time.

-- Pass-through Authentication

This feature eliminates the need for multiple system and application authentication by passing the user's password to the server, giving the customer a seamless experience between local and remote connections for enhanced productivity. It further enhances the integration of Citrix Win32(R) ICA clients by minimizing the authentication tasks required by the user. Administrators can configure pass-through authentication globally for the Citrix Program Neighborhood(TM) client, or per application or ICA connection.

Packaging, Pricing and Availability

Citrix MetaFrame FR 1 is available immediately through more than 9,300 members of the Citrix Solutions Network(TM). Current Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 customers with Subscription Advantage will receive Feature Release 1 at no charge. For Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 customers, suggested retail pricing is $1,995 with the Subscription Advantage program, and $1295 without Subscription Advantage.

About Citrix iForum 2000

Citrix iForum 2000, October 2 -5 in Orlando, is a conference designed for IT innovators, as well as Citrix resellers, systems integrators, alliances and ASPs to exchange ideas, successes and strategies on application server computing. Attend Citrix iForum 2000 to see demonstrations of the newest Citrix products: Citrix MetaFrame Feature Release 1, Citrix NFuse(TM) 1.5, and Citrix Extranet(TM). For more information, visit the Citrix Web site at http://events.citrix.com/iforum.

About Citrix MetaFrame

Citrix MetaFrame application server software is enabling organizations to achieve "Digital Independence(TM)" from the high cost and complexity of traditional computing by transforming the way they deploy, manage and access business applications across the extended enterprise. MetaFrame extends the functionality of Microsoft(R) Windows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition and Microsoft Windows 2000 Terminal Services, as well as UNIX(R) operating systems. It provides enterprise application management for increased scalability, deployment and simplified application support, Web enablement of applications via Citrix NFuse application portal software, and universal application access to users in any location, on any device, over any network connection -- wireless to Web.

About Citrix

Citrix Systems, Inc. is a global leader in application server software and services that offer "Digital Independence" - the ability to run any application on any device over any connection, wireless to Web. Citrix's solutions enable organizations of all types, from major enterprises to emerging application service providers (ASPs), to reach more users, with more applications, in more locations - and achieve this with greater speed and predictability, and lower costs. Its products, including MetaFrame application server software, NFuse application portal software, and Independent Computing Architecture (ICA), a core application-server technology, have been widely adopted by the corporate mainstream to achieve key business goals. The firm, which markets its solutions through value-added resellers, system integrators and OEM licensees, is headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Citrix is traded on The Nasdaq Stock Market(SM) under the symbol CTXS and is part of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. For more information, please visit the Citrix Web site at http://www.citrix.com.

For Citrix Investors

This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions 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 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. 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, risks associated with the following: the success of the company's MetaFrame product line and the acceptance of the company's ICA protocol; the company's ability to develop and commercialize new products and services; the company's success in expanding into new geographic markets, the company's ability to expand its core business in large enterprise accounts, the company's ability to succeed in the transition to a paper/electronic licensing model; the size, timing and recognition of revenue from significant orders; increased competition, including potential competition from Microsoft and other companies; the results of the company's iBusiness and other new licensing programs; the rate of growth of the ASP market; and the company's ability to continue to develop and market products to meet the requirements of this market; the proportion of revenues derived from distributors, OEMs and other channels; changes in the company's pricing policies or those of its competitors, including Microsoft; the costs of developing, acquiring, or integrating new technologies or enhancements to existing products; the company's reliance upon its strategic relationships with Microsoft and other strategic partners; management of growth; the possibility of undetected software errors; dependence on proprietary technology; risks that the company's branding campaign will not enhance the company's business or results in the manner anticipated; as well as risks of downturns in economic conditions generally, and in the software industry specifically, and risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures 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 in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

Citrix(R), ICA(R), MetaFrame(TM), Digital Independence(TM), NFuse(TM), Citrix Extranet(TM), SecureICA(TM), SpeedScreen(TM), Citrix iForum(TM), Citrix Program Neighborhood(TM) and Citrix Solutions Network(TM) are registered trademarks or trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. UNIX(R) is a registered trademark of The Open Group in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

This release references a Citrix product that includes software developed by the OpenSSL Project for use in the OpenSSL Toolkit. (http://www.openssl.org/).