Citrix Enables Microsoft Federal Government Customers to Take a Software Test Drive

Business Wire, April 18, 2005

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Agencies Can Now Test Application Functionality Online Before Purchase; Service Designed to Shorten Sales Cycle by More Than 25 Percent

Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS), the global leader in access infrastructure solutions, has teamed with Microsoft Corp. on the deployment of the Microsoft Test Drive Center for the Federal government, allowing Federal software buyers to try Microsoft applications and others developed by Independent Software Vendor (ISV) partners online before purchasing.

The Microsoft Test Drive Center was developed by Citrix Systems in partnership with Runaware Inc., a leading evaluation service provider. Based on past performance achieved by Runaware, Microsoft Test Drive can shorten the sales cycle by more than 25 percent, a crucial differentiator for independent software vendors in the Federal market and one of the biggest challenges facing Information Technology (IT) companies in the public sector, according to Gartner Research.

"Microsoft Test Drive allows Microsoft's Federal partners to quickly and conveniently show how their products meet the business needs of government agencies," said Mark Goldman, area vice president, Government Systems for Citrix. "Potential customers can experience the full functionality of Windows applications without having to endure time-consuming downloads and installations."

Built upon Citrix(R) Access Suite and Microsoft(R) Windows Server(TM) 2003 with Terminal Server, Microsoft Test Drive offers easy, global access to managed software demonstrations and evaluations. Federal agency customers can now access Microsoft Test Drive at http://www.microsoft.com/government and select an application to demonstrate. The application works as if it is installed on the customer's computer, but, in fact, the application is running on Windows(R) servers via a secure connection using Citrix Access Suite.

The Runaware lead and sales generation functions built into Microsoft Test Drive produce high-quality sales leads for participating ISVs. The lead generation function collects customer contact information and also records key information, such as the length of time the customer spent using the application at his or her own pace. The sales generation function allows the ISV to conduct a guided demonstration with the customer in real time, with both parties controlling the desktop.

"Demonstrating an application for customers with Microsoft Test Drive in real time from a browser makes a positive difference to our customers and channel partners," said Teresa Carlson, director of federal partner sales at Microsoft. "With the combination of Citrix's Access Suite software and Runaware's evaluation services, our customers can easily and quickly explore the software features, whenever and wherever they choose."

Applications demonstrated on Microsoft Test Drive include the following:

--BizTech Solutions Inc.'s SharePoint Portal Access to Records Systems (PARS), an electronic document management system that allows users to search, review, view, revise and submit documents

--Herres & Lee Enterprise Solutions' Commander's Brief, which combines information from multiple sources into near real-time, Web-based presentations

--Microsoft Corp.'s Office 2003 applications and Project Standard 2002, which improve document creation, information management and project management

--Susquehanna Technologies' Internet Based Procurement System, which streamlines the Federal procurement process by reducing manpower and paperwork

--The Computer Solution Company Inc.'s FACE, an automated case and evidence management system that improves the communication, collaboration and productivity of forensic examiners

"For ISVs, there is no better way of driving high-quality leads," said Olivier Chaine, vice president, Marketing Services for Runaware. "This groundbreaking service provides extraordinary insight into the customer, and allows sales executives to focus follow-up activities on customers who show the most promise. Rather than going into a meeting blind, they know how the customer used the application and are better prepared to ultimately close the sale."

About Citrix

Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:CTXS) is the global leader in access infrastructure solutions and the most trusted name in secure access for enterprises and individuals. More than 160,000 organizations around the world use Citrix every day. Our access software, services and appliances give people secure and well-managed access to business information wherever it lives -- on demand. Citrix customers include 100% of the Fortune 100 companies, 99% of the Fortune 500, and 97% of the Fortune Global 500. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Citrix has offices in 22 countries, and approximately 6,200 channel and alliance partners in more than 100 countries. For more information visit http://www.citrix.com.

About Runaware

Runaware is an IT company that offers holistic solutions for the marketing and sale of software over the Internet, using the Runaware TestDrive technical platform. Runaware's solutions are based on the customer's need to test and understand a computer program before buying. The unique Runaware TestDrive technical platform enables the purchaser to test and evaluate a program, or obtain a personal demonstration by a salesperson, without having to first download or install the software. All that is needed is an Internet connection and a web browser. More information is available at http://www.runaware.com.