Why Continue with Citrix?

[khalidaaa]

Hi Citrixers,

I'm totally new to the Citrix world and I was given the task of managing our Citrix farm. Our management, for some reason, wants to get rid of Citrix and use Windows software (like SMS) to manage client applications deployment. I'm trying to convince our management to stay with Citrix as it provides a central point of admin for all our applications. But this doesn't seem to be enough knowing that Microsoft has recently introduced their new Virtualization concepts like Hyper-V in 2008 which I believe has some similar concepts as the thin client in managing apps.

So guys could you please help me in maintaining our Citrix farm (which is currently running v3.0 as the management are against investing more in Citrix)?

Thanks.

Regards,
Khalid

 

[Hof]

Hi
Well here are some things that are an advantage with using Citrix

http://www.busmarts.com/citrix.htm

/Hof

 

[Stevehewitt]

Honestly, with Windows 2008 server... I wouldn't bother.

Tested out Win2k8 server in my last job for a couple of months before coming to where I am now. They used Citrix 4.5 a fair bit and to be honest for the money I can't see why.
Out of the box Win2k8 allows you to create RDP files for remote connections, does application only deployments (rather than full desktop like in 2k3 server), web access and even a gateway role for brokering between public and private networks.

Citrix does still have the edge on a few advanced things, but for the more basic stuff, given the cost of Citrix, I wouldn't bother for new deployments.

Steve.

"They have the internet on computers now!" - Homer Simpson

 

[khalidaaa]

Thanks Steve for the input!

That left me speachless in front of win2k8 supporters in my company :~/

I think by this we are getting rid of the Citrix! I called for Citrix sales to come and do a presentation for our management. They will be much better than me in convincing the management with their product!

Regards,
Khalid

 

[lb63640]

What about the tried and true, "But this is the way we've always done it!" argument? LOL!

That used to be the underlying winning strategy at my former job, as it seemed there was not one person who could ever come up with a rebuttal. Just a smile for the day.

 

[khalidaaa]

It won't work coz now our company is being reorganized and the guy who was supporting the thin-client was moved to a different section! So yes we have been doing this but as long as there is no support left on thin-client so why continue with it!?!?

Regards,
Khalid

 

[BrianMTM]

Hey this is Brian from MTM Technologies, Citrix just did a presentation last Wednesday on the new Xen Server 5. It adds more than 100 new virtualization enhancements, and the best part is that it is low cost with high power. It separates the OS from all the applications. It can stream the physical device and the Virtual machine with just 1 image and it has virtual technical support. If you have any questions please give me a call at my office (212) 301-4357

Thanks,

 

[atstriker2000]

I agree with Brian, but the old reasons still hold some water as well.
The ICA protocol is still very well suited to low bandwidth connections, and that would also apply well to an over saturated connection. I have been consulting for a while, and I've found many, many clients that have a small internet pipe for the number of users that they service. Using the ICA protocol saves them some overhead, and provides a better user experience under those conditions.
Depending on the company, there are many add-ons from Citrix that make them worth the investment as well. Single sign-on through Password Manager would be one example. Plus the netscaler products on the networking side...

They're not as "flat" of a product offering as Microsoft's Terminal Server 2008. Some companies need that, some don't.

IMHO
Atstriker2000

 

[BrianMTM]

Hey Khalid, this is Brian again from MTM Technologies. Our company is a platinum member with Citrix so if any of your bosses want any kind of presentation or maybe a conference call I can set that up if you would like. If your worried about delivering client applications, XenApp 5 is definately the way to go. I do not know your location but if you are in the tri-state area you might be in luck.

Thanks,

 

[khalidaaa]

Thanks Atstriker for your comment.

Thanks Brian for your offer. I live in the Arabian Gulf (Bahrain) so i'm not sure if you are near by

I will keep you posted on our management decision guys

I'm still waiting for the presentation which took sometime till now!

Regards,
Khalid