Citrix enhances its XenApp

The new enhancements include; XenServer, enabling customers to virtualise XenApp server workloads.

A standardised XenApp server image, new user profile management capabilities, local application virtualisation, and a new management tool set.

Previously only available on Enterprise and Platinum editions of XenApp, customers can stream centrally-managed applications to an end-user's PC or laptop and run them locally in a virtualised environment, even when the user is disconnected from the network.

This means that XenApp customers do not need to buy separate licenses to enable offline access for mobile laptop users.

"Citrix understands the challenges that our customers face today with shrinking budgets and the pressures of 'doing more with less and we are committed to helping businesses meet these challenges using proven technology that impacts the bottom line," said Mick Hollison, vice president of XenApp product marketing at Citrix Systems.

"As a core component of the Citrix Delivery Centre product family, XenApp is now even more valuable in helping organisations manage and deliver applications using fewer resources by adding hundreds of dollars in value on top of what they already get with XenApp for no additional cost."

The new features are designed to make the most of  XenApp implementations by offering planning, server provisioning and application management tools.

Citrix has also announced that SAP AG will be virtualising an estimated 500 servers with Citrix XenServer by the middle of 2009.

SAP has deployed Citrix XenApp application virtualisation technology to deliver applications to both SAP employees and external partners.