Proving how the smartphone and tablet computing revolution is expanding into the enterprise, software vendor Citrix has unveiled a new release of its Receiver app to Apple, RIM, Cisco, Dell and Samsung touchscreen devices.
Receiver is a universal software client that makes it easy to access any existing business application, desktop or document on any device, including PCs, Macs, laptops, thin clients, tablets and smartphones.
The new release adds extensive user experience enhancements, including the ability to touch-enable existing Windows applications on any touchscreen tablet and smartphone, as well as support for a broad range of exciting new devices, such as the BlackBerry PlayBook, Cisco Cius, Dell Streak and the Samsung Galaxy offerings.
Citrix also previewed a new version of its popular Citrix Receiver for iPad, which adds extensive new touch, gesture and user experience enhancements for the upcoming Apple iOS 4.2 software release.
These enhancements give IT the “power to say yes” to employees and contractors bringing these new devices into the workforce, or teleworking from their home PC or Mac.
Razzle Dazzle
Citrix Receiver also fully integrates the capabilities of the previously standalone CitrixDazzle apps store for businesses, giving users easy self-service access to any corporate application offered by IT, on whatever device they happen to be using at the time – all through one easy-to-use software client.
When employees or contractors need access to a given app, they simply open up the Citrix Receiver user interface, search for the app they want, and add it to their Windows Start Menu or Mac Dock, or launch it directly from Citrix Receiver.
Citrix Receiver now also gives users one-click, single sign-on access to an entirely new generation of applications, including web, cloud and SaaS apps hosted outside the corporate data centre.
When users search for a desired app in Citrix Receiver, external SaaS apps, such as Salesforce.com, NetSuite, Marketo, SuccessFactors, GoToMeeting or Dropbox, appear in their Citrix Receiver app store right alongside traditional Windows apps like SAP, PowerPoint and Acrobat.
If the user is authorised to use the requested application, their initial Citrix Receiver login credentials are used to log them in automatically, regardless of where the app is located.
“Citrix Receiver is enabling virtual work styles for millions of users by making it simple to access any kind of business app or IT service from any device they choose, anytime and anywhere,” Mick Hollison, vice-president, Desktop Marketing, Citrix, said.
“For the first time in decades, IT leaders now have the power to say yes to users who are hungry for freedom and flexibility while also satisfying the cost and security requirements of the business. This amazing combination of benefits is making Citrix Receiver the de facto standard for IT service delivery as the world goes virtual.”
The new Citrix Receiver release will be available for download free of charge this quarter on the Citrix website or directly off independent app stores for mobile device users.
