Microsoft and Citrix sign L.O.I. to include Citrix ICA® support in Windows family of products

Business Wire, March 12, 1996

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 12, 1996--Citrix(R) Systems Inc. (NASDAQ: CTXS) today announced it has signed a letter of intent with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ: MSFT) to embed its ICA(R) distributed Windows presentation protocol in upcoming releases of Windows 95, Windows NT, and Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows.

The inclusion of Citrix ICA client software will enable users of Microsoft Windows products to access existing and future Windows applications over the public Internet and corporate Intranet without downloading client application software.

"The ICA protocol provides an industry-recognized, general-purpose protocol for running any standard Windows application remotely," said Paul Maritz, group vice president, platforms group, for Microsoft Corporation.

"By including ICA support in the Microsoft Windows family of products, application developers can continue to use familiar Windows programming tools, and extend their reach to the broad base of Internet users with high-powered applications. Today's announcement is a logical step in the Microsoft/Citrix relationship, which began over six years ago."

The letter of intent provides Microsoft with ICA client software for inclusion in upcoming releases of Windows 95, Windows NT and both 16- and 32-bit versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer for Windows.

ICA is a general-purpose presentation services protocol for Microsoft Windows, which allows an application's user interface to execute with minimal resource consumption on a client device, while the application logic executes on ICA-based servers, such as the Citrix WinFrame(R) family of multi-user application servers.

With the appropriate ICA client software, users can access standard 16- and 32-bit Windows applications running on a remote ICA-based server by launching them from web-based HTML pages or from Windows desktops over dial-up, LAN, WAN or Internet connections.

"ICA is fundamental to the infrastructure for the cross-platform deployment of business-critical Windows applications -- both inside and outside the enterprise," said Edward Iacobucci, Citrix chairman and chief technical officer. "We are pleased that Microsoft has joined the growing family of OEM and strategic partners that have recognized the power of ICA technology.

The ICA client software does not require code to be downloaded to run a remote Windows application, as does Java or Microsoft ActiveX(TM) Controls. ICA's architecture offers solid performance over low-bandwidth connections for rich Windows applications too large to be downloaded."

To date, Citrix has licensed or agreed to license the ICA protocol, ICA-based servers and ICA client software to a number of significant OEM partners to deliver Windows applications to non-Windows desktops, new- generation wireless devices, Internet appliances and Windows terminals. Such OEM and strategic partners include:

Tektronix, Insignia Solutions and NCD

Each markets a turnkey software solution for running Windows applications on UNIX workstations and X-terminals. Tektronix markets under the WinDD brand. Insignia markets under the NTrigue brand. NCD markets under the WinCenter PRO brand name.

Wyse Technology and TransPhone, LLC

Each markets embedded-ICA Windows terminals that connect to ICA-based servers over dial-up or network connections. Wyse manufactures the Winterm series of Windows terminals. TransPhone manufactures the $500 integrated TransPhone telephone and Internet terminal device.

Zenith Data Systems

Zenith markets ICA-based wireless tablets under the MultiCruise brand name for locally mobile users, such as medical, point-of-sale, inventory control, and vehicle maintenance organizations.

Citrix will continue to develop, enhance and support the ICA protocol. The company will also continue to aggressively license ICA to third-party hardware and software manufacturers, while working with existing OEMs and strategic partners to specify protocol enhancements and extensions.

Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: CTXS) develops multi-user application server software under license and strategic agreement with Microsoft. The company's WinFrame software products enable the high-performance, enterprise-wide deployment of Windows applications without regard to location or type of client hardware platform. Citrix is based in Coral Gables, Fla.

NOTES: Citrix, WinFrame and ICA are registered trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owner.

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks associated with the company's reliance upon its strategic relationships with Microsoft and strategic partners, dependence upon broad-based acceptance of the company's ICA protocol, management of growth, and dependence on proprietary technology, as well as risks of downruns in economic conditions generally, and in the software industry specifically, risks associated with competition and competitive pricing pressures, and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.