Today, Citrix announced products and tools to help Microsoft customers
accelerate the adoption of Windows 10 and simplify migrations to the new
operating system. As people start using personal or corporate Windows 10
laptops and tablets for work, they will need to access core Windows
business applications. Citrix app and desktop virtualization software
and migration tools enable partners and IT organizations to deliver
immediate access to core business applications on new Windows 10 PCs and
tablets, simplify the rollout of Windows 10 desktops and streamline the
business app migration process. Operating system upgrades like Windows
10 serve as an ideal time to embrace app and desktop virtualization as a
long-term strategy to improve the management, security and performance
of Windows apps and desktops.
Software and Tools to Accelerate Adoption and Simplify Migrations
Major operating system migrations typically present a number of key
challenges for enterprises. The first priority is to make sure current
business-critical applications and data are supported and available on
the new operating system. Another priority is to migrate applications to
the new operating system, a process that can be costly and
time-consuming without the right tools and processes. IT organizations
also need to deploy the new Windows 10 operating system across a variety
of hardware and office locations in as seamless a manner as possible.
Citrix offers software, tools and processes that address all of these
potential migration issues.
To help deliver current, vital business applications to people using new
Windows 10 computers and tablets, XenApp, in conjunction with the newly
available Citrix Receiver for Windows 10 ensures a seamless experience,
enabling workers to remain productive throughout the migration. In the
process, by delivering all Windows apps with XenApp, enterprise IT
organizations can increase business mobility by enabling productivity on
any desktop or mobile device.
To move existing Windows apps to Windows 10, IT can use Citrix AppDNA to
help automate and analyze app capability and remediate issues, reducing
the cost and complexity of application upgrades, migrations and updates
by as much as 90 percent. AppDNA integrates with Microsoft App-V and
System Center Configuration Manager to simplify packaging and deployment
after validating compatibility.
Citrix is providing AppDNA application migration software to Citrix
Solution Advisors (CSAs) free of charge, enabling them to accelerate the
migration process so they can quickly identify and address potential app
compatibility issues with Windows 10.
Additionally, to aid in the deployment of Windows 10, Citrix will soon
offer Windows 10 virtual desktop support in XenDesktop. This will enable
IT to more easily deploy the new operating system across a multitude of
new and legacy devices, in distributed locations that increases IT
governance while reducing management cost and complexity. Once virtual
desktops have been deployed, the entire process for handling updates,
upgrades, software maintenance and migrations is dramatically simplified.
Lastly, to manage the new devices, XenMobile will provide instant
support for devices running the latest version of Windows 10. This
update will enable XenMobile customers to continue managing and securing
the latest Windows devices, apps, and data with a comprehensive set of
tools while giving users total mobile freedom.
Supporting the Enterprise Transition to the Cloud
Many organizations will also take the Windows migration event as an
opportunity to further their cloud adoption strategies, either by
outsourcing desktop and device management to service providers or moving
their own apps and desktops to cloud infrastructure. For the rapidly
growing segment of businesses deciding to offload desktop management,
more than 2,700 Citrix Service Provider partners stand ready to deliver
subscription-based, business-ready applications, desktops and complete
mobile workspaces, many of those built in the Microsoft Azure cloud.
Those organizations looking to self-manage cloud-based Windows apps and
desktops, with the guidance of Citrix Solution Advisors, can take
advantage of Citrix reference architectures for deploying XenApp and
XenDesktop as well as Citrix NetScaler on Azure.
Some businesses have mapped their cloud strategies around the adoption
of SaaS solutions, such as Office 365. Citrix integrates with and adds
value to these solutions with secure app and data delivery. Citrix also
announced ShareFile Office 365 Connectors that enable secure mobile
access and editing for documents stored in SharePoint Online and
OneDrive for Business, providing greater flexibility for businesses that
subscribe to Office 365. For end-users who depend on Microsoft Skype for
Business and Microsoft Lync for their primary voice connection, XenApp
and XenDesktop recently released a feature pack with Lync and Skype
optimization that supports the full range of telephony and unified
communications features, which includes those in Office 365.