Citrix Systems Inc has added nine new OEMs for its ICA Independent Computing Architecture protocol, broadening out the range
of devices able to deliver Windows-based applications. The nine include
Acute Technologies Inc, Datalight Inc, DT Research Inc, Eio
Touchsystems, FYI-Net, NEC Computer Systems Division, Sharp Electronics
UK Ltd, Takaoka and The Watermann Group. Acute will use the protocol
with its ThinCast series of Windows-based terminals. Datalight, which
has developed the ROM-DOS and WinLight MS-DOS and Windows-compatible
operating systems for systems with limited memory, will embed Citrix
technology within its software. DT Research, a Milpitas,
California-based company, is planning to launch a range of thin client
devices that will use ICA. Eio produces touchscreen technology for
kiosks and point-of-sale systems. FYI-Net is a training and sales
software company. NEC will use ICA in its MobilePro handheld PC
companion, and Sharp UK will use it in its PV-5000 and HC-4600 mobile
computing devices. The Japanese thin-client company Takaoka will use
ICA for what it claims will be the first Windows-based terminals to go
on sale in Japan. And Bohemia, New York-based thin client and wireless
communications company, The Watermann Group says it plans to expand the
capabilities of ICA to include technologies such as signature capture,
handwriting recognition and video capture and recognition. At one time
ICA looked as if it would have a limited life, as Microsoft Corp has a
competitive protocol, the RDP Remote Desktop Protocol, designed to
reach out to non-Windows platforms. But Microsoft itself ended up using
ICA in Windows NT Server 4.0 Terminal Server Edition, and seems
content enough to let Citrix handle this side of the business for the
time being. Meanwhile Microsoft's revised licensing terms for
Terminal Server, which effectively halved its price (CI No 3,578) set
off a series of price cuts among Windows terminal vendors. Wyse cut
prices on its WinTerm Windows terminals by 25%, NeoWare went further
with 37% cuts, Hewlett-Packard Co set 14% cuts. Network Computing
Devices offered a bundle of terminal, software and services said to
save customers $1,500.
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