HONG KONG (01/28/2000) - Connectivity software vendor Citrix Systems Inc. has revealed plans to extend Unix support to its MetaFrame product line.
"This product announcement has been driven by customer demand. We've got lots of customers who are running applications on Unix," said Mike McGarth, regional marketing director at Citrix Systems Asia Pacific, in Sydney, Australia.
MetaFrame, which is used to connect client computers to Windows and Unix-based servers, will first be made available for the Solaris operating system.
Citrix has not revealed its pricing plan for the new product but says the cost will be similar to MetaFrame for Windows, which is available from US$4,995.
MetaFrame for Solaris is expected to be available by the end of March.
The move by Citrix will give MetaFrame users access to Unix applications on a broader array of devices, including terminals, desktop computers, and handheld personal digital assistants. The move also represents a subtle shift in strategy for Citrix, which has traditionally focused on the Microsoft Windows environment.
Citrix also plans to support Microsoft's upcoming Windows 2000 operating system. Citrix will unveil its MetaFrame for Windows 2000 product on February 17 - the same day that Microsoft plans to launch the new OS.
Conspicuously missing from Citrix's product strategy is support for Linux.
"We've got no plans to support Linux at this moment," said McGarth. "If you really look at the leading Unix operating system around the world, it's Solaris."
The burgeoning "apps-on-tap" market has been a lucrative one for Citrix. Last week, the company reported revenues of US$403.3 million - 62 percent higher than the previous year. At the same time, the company reported that its net income nearly doubled.
Citrix Systems is in Fort Launderdale, Florida, and can be reached on the Web http://www.citrix.com.