Citrix licenses ICA protocol to Plexcom for development of Windows-based network computer; ICA protocol delivers standard Windows applications to Plexcom line of thin-client network terminals

Business Wire, Sept 10, 1996

CORAL SPRINGS, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 10, 1996-- Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS) today announced it has entered into a licensing agreement with Plexcom, Inc. Under the agreement, Citrix has granted Plexcom the right to embed its ICA distributed Windows protocol in the Plexcom line of Windows-based network computers, branded under the QUE name and part of its new QuantumNet product series.

Citrix's ICA protocol will enable the QUE, a low-cost, thin-client network terminal, to run standard 16- and 32-bit Windows applications in conjunction with Citrix's WinFrame multi-user application server software. Citrix's WinFrame application server software can be centrally stored, along with other computer resources and networking hardware, in Plexcom's QuantumServer chassis.

"We are committed to partnering with industry-leading software and hardware companies to extend the reach of Windows applications into new markets through the licensing of our powerful ICA technology," stated Edward Iacobucci, Citrix chairman and chief technical officer. "Together, Citrix and Plexcom provide businesses with a network-centric computing solution that quickly and easily extends access to line-of-business applications; maximizes investments in technology; and resolves data control, bandwidth, and upgrade issues."

"The need for greater centralized management of and access to information is becoming increasingly important," stated Alan Pocrass, president of Plexcom, Inc. "Citrix's ICA protocol and WinFrame multi-user application server software further expand QuantumNet's capabilities to meet this need, by providing companies a cost-effective, easy-to-implement, thin-client network-centric solution."

Citrix's ICA protocol is being broadly adopted by industry leading vendors -- including Microsoft Corporation, Wyse Technology, Boundless Technologies (formerly known as SunRiver Data Systems), Tektronix, Insignia Solutions, NCD and Telxon Corporation -- for inclusion in new hardware and software products that extend the reach of Windows applications into new markets. The company's ICA licensing strategy enables OEMs to deliver the benefits of Windows-based, network-centric computing to users of low-cost terminals, information appliances and network computers; users of non-Windows platforms, including DOS, UNIX and Macintosh; users of rapidly emerging small form factor PDAs and other wireless devices; as well as users over the Internet or Intranet.

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 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 WinFrame application server by launching them from web-based HTML pages or from Windows desktops over dial-up, LAN, WAN or Internet/Intranet connections.

The ICA thin client technology enables network computers to achieve "fat client" Windows functionality at a fraction of the system cost of a personal computer, due to low processor, memory and bandwidth requirements. Additionally, Citrix's ICA-based thin client architecture will not require frequent upgrading as new Windows operating systems and applications are introduced, protecting an organization's investments in desktop hardware.

Citrix Systems, Inc. develops, markets and supports multi-user application server software under license and strategic agreement with Microsoft. The company's flagship product line, WinFrame, enables the high-performance, enterprise-wide deployment of Windows applications without regard to location or type of client hardware platform. Founded in 1989, Citrix is based in Coral Springs, Fla.

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 statements in this press release which are not strictly historical statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding management's plans and objectives for future operations, product plans and performance, management's assessment of market factors, as well as statements regarding the strategy and plans of the Company and its strategic partners, constitute forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, risks associated with the Company's reliance upon its strategic relationships with Microsoft and other strategic partners, dependence upon broad-based acceptance of the Company's ICA protocol, management of growth, the possibility of undetected software errors, and dependence on proprietary technology, as well as risks of downturns 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. -0-