14 DAY TRIAL // The next level of Windows application and services delivery comes via a collaboration between Microsoft and Citrix and is aimed at branch offices. Citrix Synergy 2008 was the stage where the companies unveiled the product of their partnership: Citrix Branch Repeater. According to the duo, Citrix Branch Repeater is situated at the intersection between application delivery, virtualization and networking. The new solution is addressed at companies wishing to streamline and increase efficiency of branch office computing. This is done through effectively narrowing the gap between branch office users and Windows application and services.
"Branch office employees should have the same productive computing experience as employees at headquarters," commented Bala Kasiviswanathan, director of branch and storage solutions, Windows Server Division at Microsoft. And this is precisely what the two companies promise through their strategic partnership. Offered as a component of Citrix Delivery Center, the Citrix Branch Repeater is a breath of fresh air when it comes down to enabling an infrastructure of dynamic delivery datacenters.
"Windows Server-based branch office solutions help customers deliver core infrastructure services that are required to keep branch office applications and operations running efficiently. The Citrix Branch Repeater streamlines and consolidates the application delivery infrastructure while delivering on the performance and availability expectations of the most demanding branch office environments," Kasiviswanathan added.
Citrix Branch Repeater is also another way for Microsoft to ensure that its server products make it in the infrastructure of branch offices. The focus in this context falls on Windows Server 2008 and Internet Security and Acceleration Server. According to Microsoft, the Citrix Branch Repeater will manage to speed up the serving of streamed Windows applications through Citrix XenApp, but also to consolidate branch services and increase delivery traffic.
"Citrix Branch Repeater is an impactful addition to the toolkit of enterprise IT departments, because its easy integration with the application delivery infrastructure helps solve the key challenges facing IT administrators," added Troy Trenchard, vice president and general manager, Access and Acceleration Group at Citrix. "The seamless environment allows customers to place the technology where it makes the most sense for the business."