Leveraging new FSLogix platform capabilities in virtual environments

We've very good news for Citrix managers. On This summer 1, Microsoft announced the FSLogix technologies it acquired at the begining of 2019 is going to be available free of charge to both Microsoft 365 and existing Remote Desktop Services (RDS) customers. These enhancements towards the Remote Desktop platform are directed at increasing the Office experience of virtual environments, including optimizations to Outlook, OneDrive, and check. As Microsoft calls in their announcement, Citrix has additionally been working hard optimizing the consumer experience for Microsoft Teams, getting the very best interactive experience to virtual users.

Supplying an excellent consumer experience is crucial to the prosperity of any virtualization project, and user expectations haven't been greater. Enterprise users are familiar with devices and services that actually work seamlessly when they were young-to-day lives and expect believe it or not using their IT-delivered apps and desktops.

Personalization and application delivery are key support beams from the user atmosphere, and also the factors around these have grown to be more complicated recently because of altering trends, including:

• An upswing of cloud services for example Office 365 and OneDrive for Business
• Elevated mixture of per user Home windows modern apps versus traditional installer
• Migration of some workloads to public clouds, for example Microsoft Azure, while some remain on premises

Citrix offers numerous technologies to resolve these challenges, for example Citrix Workspace Atmosphere Management (WEM) and Citrix Application Layering, that suit seamlessly alongside Microsoft technologies for example Application-V and System Center Config Manager. Our toolkit is continuing to grow substantially more powerful because of the inclusion from the FSLogix suite like a platform component for the joint customers.

Probably the most effective deployments begin with an empty piece of paper when defining how these power tools could be combined to best satisfy the identified needs for any given customer scenario. There are lots of ways that these elements could be combined to provide great value. Let’s have a glance at a few examples in the field.

Citrix Workspace Atmosphere Management   FSLogix Profile and Office 365 Containers

Citrix Workspace Atmosphere Management (WEM) is an accumulation of technologies that encompasses both profile and gratifaction optimizations. Around the performance front, WEM can strongly manage applications which are consuming an excessive amount of CPU or memory, growing both session density per server and finish-user performance. As enterprises look assessing burst capacity, new desktop deployments, and disaster recovery solutions, managing resource usage is surface of mind.  Controlling misbehaving applications enables for simpler VM sizing and price control, without getting an adverse effect on finish users.

Leveraging Citrix Profile Management, WEM can use GPOs, login scripts, and preferences using a multithreaded agent, which accelerates login duration and session responsiveness by fetching and applying configurations when needed. These optimizations dramatically improve consumer experience across an array of applications, however the recently available FSLogix (Microsoft) Profile Containers have a slightly different approach that may optimize work 365 experience directly.

Because of the modular nature of WEM, admins are in possession of careful analysis utilize FSLogix Profile Containers within their environments, adding new benefits around search, Outlook-cached exchange mode, and OneDrive for Business. Profile containers are mounted as block-based filter motorists through the OS, so even large profile stores could be mounted and utilized quickly.

How good is the new Raspberry Pi 4 as a thin client?

The lengthy-anticipated Raspberry Pi 4 is here now. But simply just how could it be like a thin client?

The solution? Excellent.

It’s difficult to think that it's been greater than 5 years since i have first attempted Raspberry Pi like a Citrix thin client. In those days, I authored an enhanced decoding and rendering plug-set for Citrix Receiver exclusively targeted at making the very best of that which was on the Pi. This prototype eventually got productized, plus a Pi-zero-based second monitor dongle, and it is currently available from the couple of select Citrix partners.

Go forward 5 years and also the Pi 4 has showed up. Created together with the Raspberry Pi Foundation, it provides native dual HDMI output, that the previous generation boards lacked. In addition to this, it may do dual 4K, quite astonishing thinking about the dimensions and specs from the factor! I received my 2GB model lately and spent a couple of hrs seeing the way it fares like a thin client.

Raspberry Pi 4 like a Thin Client

To start with, I installed a citrix.com form of Citrix Workspace application 1903 and launched a Home windows Server 2016 desktop to determine baseline figures. Performance was mediocre, however this was likely because of getting no HDX optimizations in position. Also, the session was limited one monitor. I soon learned that some window manager limitations resulted in a dual monitor was not really possible, although the native desktop was dual-monitor aware.

Getting seen similar problems previously, I were able to convince the the Citrix Workspace application to “see” both monitors, and that i was soon in a position to launch dual-monitor sessions. The performance was still being poor, and although older Citrix Workspace application/Receiver HDX optimization plug-ins might be designed to work, there have been still some major enhancements that may be done, especially around dual-monitor support. I finished up writing a brand new plug-in, which initially concentrates on optimizing full-screen desktop scenarios.

I’m in a New York state of mind for AWS Summit

What's the AWS Summit?

The AWS Summit New You are able to is really a free event made to gather the cloud-computing community for connecting, collaborate, and discover about AWS. Summits are locked in major metropolitan areas all across the globe. They attract technologists from multiple industries, segments, and learning levels who wish to know how AWS with Citrix might help them innovate with speed and deliver services with scale, versatility, and reliability. Find out more about AWS Summit sponsors here.

What's Citrix Doing with AWS in the Summit?

I’m so glad you requested that, however i think the greater question may be, “What isn’t Citrix doing with AWS?” Here’s are just some of what we should use AWS:

• Citrix helps deliver high availability, massive scalability, and global performance with Citrix Cloud Resource Locations
• Citrix ADC is engineered to optimize application performance, reliability, and, of course, keep security enforced with policies
• Hybrid connectivity with Citrix SD-WAN

You probably know this, New You are able to may be the city that never sleeps. If you're running IT inside a modern global organization, your workforce is nearly always on. So, you'll need a flexible, secure hybrid-cloud solution that gives an incredible consumer experience. That’s what we should deliver with AWS.

I will not be within this alone. I've the privilege of dealing with the best hybrid-cloud experts in the industry, who may also be at AWS Summit. So take the questions, concerns, or perhaps a technical wish list, and we’ll gladly help.

Citrix Cloud Monitor gives you superpowers!

I’m an ardent fan of Electricity comics, and merely what they are called of figures restore recollections of after i was more youthful and completely enjoyed studying comics. Are you aware that some of the most popular comic figures today are ripoffs of figures who already existed? Marvel and Electricity figures happen to be complementing one another perfectly decades. Wondering what these superheroes relate to Citrix? Keep studying.

Its not necessary to become A Virtual Detective to determine that one. Everyone knows that Clark Kent is Superman, which Bruce Wayne is Batman. But unlike Superman or Batman, Citrix Director doesn’t make use of a secret identity. Citrix Director on-premises just wears its cape to get Citrix Cloud Monitor.

Control and Monitor Virtual Desktops and Applications

For individuals individuals who're a new comer to Citrix Director, it’s an administration console within the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops virtualization platforms that allows managers to manage and monitor virtual desktops and applications.

Thinking about the inevitable shift towards the cloud, there's been a rise in adoption of Citrix Cloud services. A business survey says 45 percent of Citrix clients are thinking about using Citrix Cloud services. Though adoption is within an earlier phase, there’s lots of curiosity about Citrix Cloud due to its simplicity.

Citrix Cloud simplifies management and upkeep of Citrix components by adopting a hybrid-cloud approach, where lots of core Citrix components are located and managed by Citrix and Citrix customers deploy just the Virtual Apps servers and Virtual Desktops VMs. With secure, anywhere connectivity, uptime assurance of 99.five percent and global support teams, Citrix Cloud ensures seamless use of apps and desktops.

But they are you wondering whether managers can monitor and trobleshoot and fix applications and sessions deployed on Citrix Cloud? Browse the superhuman-like forces that Citrix Cloud Monitor (also known as Citrix Director) gives managers:

• Real-time data in the broker utilizing a unified console integrated with Analytics and gratifaction Manager.
• Analytics includes performance management for health insurance and capacity assurance and historic trending to recognize bottlenecks inside your Citrix Virtual Apps or Desktops service atmosphere.
• Historic data kept in the computer monitor database to gain access to the configuration logging database.
• Visibility in to the finish-consumer experience for virtual applications, desktops, and users for Citrix Virtual Apps or Desktops service.
• A troubleshooting dashboard that gives real-some time and historic health monitoring from the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops service. This selection enables you to view failures instantly, supplying a much better concept of what finish users have.
• Alerts displayed in Monitor around the dashboard along with other high-level views having a warning and demanding alert symbols.
• Whenever you click figures around the Dashboard or pick a predefined filter in the Filters menu, filters view opens to show data in line with the selected machine or failure type.
• The Trends view accesses historic trend information for sessions, connection failures, application failures, application probe results, machine failures, logon performance, load evaluation, capacity management, machine usage, and resource utilization for that site.
• Autoscale, an electrical management feature that allows positive power control over all registered server and desktop OS machines inside a delivery group.

To gain access to Citrix Cloud Monitor, sign in to Citrix Cloud and navigate to XenApp and XenDesktop service profile by picking out a particular customer and you may see “monitor,” that is simply Citrix Director on XenApp and XenDesktop Service in Citrix Cloud.

Citrix App Layering – Four common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

Synergy also enabled us to talk to a slew of consumers at various phases of the Application Layering journeys who'd an extensive variety of ideas, needs, and challenges. Understandably, between these interactions and also the many purchasers deploying Application Layering we talk to included in our day jobs, we heard some common styles. So for individuals individuals a new comer to Application Layering, I’m going to express the very best four mistakes I see customers making in early stages within their Citrix Application Layering journeys and a few tips about how to prevent them.

1 - Misaligned PoC versus. Production Expectations

Why is Citrix Application Layering not the same as the many other application layering technologies available on the market is the fact that things are a layer, such as the OS itself. This enables us not only to lessen the potential quantity of images you have to manage but additionally to help make the images that you simply do need better to manage.

To facilitate this, the Enterprise Layer Manager (ELM) must create full images from teams of layers and publish these images for your various platforms and provisioning systems (though we’ve made significant performance optimizations to the way we do packaging during the last 18 several weeks). Lengthy story short, packaging and publishing is IOPS- and bandwidth-intensive.

When PoC’ing Application Layering, if you are not using production-grade hardware or taking other shortcuts you would not being produced for example packaging/publishing within the WAN, packaging and publishing will probably have a good bit more than they'll in your snappy production hardware with a seem architecture for packaging and publishing inside your various data centers and clouds. Make certain that whenever you’re evaluating Application Layering, that you simply contextualize packaging and publishing occasions using the hardware platform you’re running the PoC on and also the network links you’re traversing versus what you’d really use within production, which in my opinion is frequently considerably faster.

2 - Didn’t Have a Clean Copy from the OS Layer

As you may know, application and platform layers are associated with OS Layers, not OSes. When designing layered images, you are able to only select application and platform layers which were produced while using OS layer (or versions from the OS layer) these were produced with. The important thing implication of the is the fact that when you have to rebuild your OS layer on your own, you’d should also rebuild your full stack of corresponding application/plat layers.

You are able to mind this issue off by doing a couple of things from the beginning:

• Before importing your OS Layer, install Home windows in the official ISO from Microsoft, run Home windows Update, install the hypervisor tools from the virtualization platform you’re using for packaging, and install and run the OS Machine Tools around the image. That’s all! No updates, not one other software, no optimizations. (One that’s bitten a couple of of my customers is removing Store apps, a suggested optimization should you not need them. However this has demonstrated hard to add back later whenever a requirement for their services has come to light.) These may be done like a latest version from the OS layer. This provides the cleanest possible imported OS layer like a beginning point.
• Since you’ve produced this perfectly clean OS Layer, which you'll subsequently modify through as numerous versions while you please, never delete the initial imported version. Returning to the constraint described above, this could permit you to “rebuild” your OS layer basically on your own, without getting to import a brand new OS layer and all sorts of fun connected with this. As an additional benefit, this is often handy to need to help eliminate optimizations/updates/other software within the OS layer as variables when troubleshooting a problem by having an application layer.

If you are already far lower the road together with your Application Layering deployment and didn’t do that (or something like that for this), take it easy. The scenarios that will need a complete OS layer rebuild are uncommon. Just make certain you follow this guidance with any future OS layers you develop.

3 - Didn’t Adjust Operational Paradigms to Application Layering Way

Managing applications and pictures with Citrix Application Layering is totally different from what you’re accustomed to. The ELM is what’s really creating your images, and no machines you utilize to include or update applications are domain-became a member of or perhaps make use of a consistent name, simply to name a couple of. Consequently, I have seen lots of customers spend considerable time fighting two battles particularly:

• Trying to consume a current “corporate standard” operating-system build because the OS layer: For Exhibit 1 against importing a “corporate standard” build as the OS layer, begin to see the previous mistake concerning the OS layer. I are often requested, “Well, what bad things might happen basically include X, Y, and Z apps within my OS layer that you simply don’t recommend putting to your OS layer?” That’s a hopeless question to reply to generally. The solution might be “nothing” if you are lucky, to “a complete rebuild of layers for your OS” if you are unlucky. The greater approach would be to do things the Application Layering way: help make your OS layer as minimal as you possibly can and do anything else to supplement layers. You are able to attain the same finish result so far as software, security lockdowns, etc. are worried, but you’re potentially saving yourself lots of headaches by not attempting to retrofit existing processes in to the Application Layering operational model.
• Attempting to leverage existing software deployment tools (SCCM, BigFix, etc.) like a main issue with the layer creating increase process: With regards to software deployment products and Citrix Application Layering, there is a whole litany of fabric I possibly could discuss about this subject. However in general, the way in which packaging machines are spun up makes targeting difficult (not domain-became a member of, name from the machine will be different, IP is placed via DHCP). Time that you’d spend taking additional steps to operate for this (and troubleshooting steps should you unintentionally put things right into a layer that should not be there) frequently completely offsets the advantage of getting used the deployment tool to set upOrrevise the application. My “broad strokes” advice here is you obtain the best value for your money if you use the packages you produced for that tools, although not the various tools themselves, for handling the deployments.

I am not saying it's not within the arena of possible ways to do either of individuals things, but in my opinion, I haven’t seen success within the lengthy term with attempting to retrofit either of individuals products in to the Application Layering world. Attempting to do this can also add more complexity for your approach than you might have expected.

Lengthy story short: when you are mired in discussions on how to integrate Citrix Application Layering into legacy processes and you’re concerned that doing this moves you from our suggested practices or it simply doesn’t appear to create sense with the way in which Application Layering works, your intuition is most likely right. Move back, consider the main issue, and push to obtain buy-set for the “App Layering way” to do things, which doesn’t align with lots of existing management paradigms which were made with another technology stack and hang of challenges in your mind.

4 - Too Dependent on Elastic Layering in Layering Strategy

Prior to getting too much into this, allow me to be obvious: Elastic Layering is really a critical a part of Citrix Application Layering technology. The opportunity to map applications to users is crucial when designing a non-persistent workspace solution for any broad group of use cases. I am not downplaying the significance of Elastic Layering, however i will have some practical suggestions about how to generate a layering strategy that best meets your needs.

Basically were built with a nickel for each time someone’s articulated taking on “one gold image per OS” cure all … you understand. Elastic Layering, certainly, will help you enable you to get nearer to that goal. However, unless of course you’re using Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops for any small group of perfectly-defined user populations, despite Elastic Layering within the picture, this is extremely hard to achieve in functionality.

There's two primary reasons for this. First, not every apps works with Elastic Layering (or any application layering technology that mounts applications at logon). Inevitably, a minumum of one application outdoors of the core apps needs to become incorporated inside a layered Image. Second, even though you could deliver each and every non-core application elastically, you most likely wouldn’t wish to. While we’ve made logon performance better with Elastic Layering through features like late load, it’s one more filter driver within the stack and the other group of activities that should happen at login, which inevitably will add time for you to logins. That’s a trade-from you can’t make with certain use cases.

To sum it up, do not begin your trip looking to get one image per OS by utilizing Elastic Layering for each application. It's not realistic - for just about any application layering technology - but that’s OK! As described above, that’s what’s so excellent about layered images: You do not incur exactly the same management overhead adding additional images that you'd should you weren’t using Citrix Application Layering. (I talk a little more relating to this here and here.)

Wrapping Some Misconception (TLDR)

When beginning your Application Layering journey, keep these four things in your mind to prevent common errors:

• Don’t judge packaging and publishing performance in your PoC atmosphere running on old, slow hardware. Your production atmosphere ought to be better outfitted to handle IOPS and bandwidth required for fast packaging and publishing, and you'll finish track of a multi-ELM architecture to help keep the majority of that activity close to the information center.
• Make an very clean OS build for import (no optimizations, no personalization, not one other apps), and hang up about it forever. This can help you save from some substantial rebuild work should you encounter difficulties with your OS layer lower the street.
• Citrix Application Layering requires completely different operational methodology than you enables you to for updating and testing apps and pictures. Embrace the “App Layering way” and adjust your operational methodology to best squeeze into the functionality of Application Layering instead of attempting to fit a square peg right into a round hole.
• Elastic Layering is excellent but comes with an connected group of design factors. Make certain your whole strategy doesn’t hinge on having the ability to elastically layer nearly all your apps, out on another measure your ability to succeed solely on image-count reduction.

Local app integration with Citrix Workspace

Citrix provides virtual apps and desktops to greater than 100 million users. Our next goal will be the most well-liked way to get results for 1 billion users, but we all know the virtualization marketplace is less than that giant. To achieve 1 billion users, we intend to make Citrix Workspace the area for workers to have their work done. Which means it will likely be the area for the apps they have to get the job done, as well as the files, workflows, and knowledge they require.

• Virtual apps - The Citrix Workspace application provides use of applications and desktops using Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops from the client device.
• SaaS apps - The Citrix Workspace application now includes an embedded browser that allows full session Access Control for SaaS apps.
• Local apps - The Citrix Workspace application integrated with local Home windows 10 apps.
• Files - Citrix Files has become integrated with Workspace, supplying sync and share for local files and network shares in addition to OneDrive, Box, yet others.
• Workflows - Citrix Workspace’s intelligent abilities provide notifications, micro apps, and virtual help improve worker engagement and productivity.
• Information - Citrix Workspace now enables secure Access Control to internal web apps like SharePoint and intranets that offer needed worker information.

Searching much deeper in the local application integration, that was announced at Synergy, Citrix shown Citrix Endpoint Management having the ability to deliver Home windows 10 apps to Home windows Computers and laptops. The applying packages (MSIx, appx, appxbundle) are submitted to CEM. After that, an admin can choose AD users or categories of enrolled devices which to help make the apps available. The consumer sees the approved apps within the Citrix Workspace application designated having a download badge. Once selected, the application package is downloaded towards the PC/laptop and installed.

Soon IT departments can provide employees just one place to have their work done and get it done better. Beyond deployment and application aggregation, you may also expect future value-add security and analytics features for local apps.

The best kept secret at Citrix? Citrix Service Providers

Citrix Providers (CSPs) would be the fastest growing section of Citrix’s partner ecosystem. With Citrix Workspace, a large number of CSP partners create value for thousands and thousands of subscribers every single day.

CSPs Provide the Reliable Technology Solutions Customers Demand

So why do a secret? Really, it isn't! There exists a 30-year history supplying methods to large enterprises to satisfy their It requires. Providers make use of the same technology inside a unique method to deliver apps, desktops, data as well as networking efficiency inside a secure perimeter. Because we’ve been only at that for such a long time, we know the ARPU growth mounted on our choices, in addition to how to supply a rock-solid security envelope for those applications and knowledge, including SaaS apps. The CSP program enables partners the versatility to pay for-as-you-visit avoid spending prior to your requirements, whilst supplying quick access to the technologies through licensing key, downloadable software and virtual appliances.

The Citrix   Microsoft Partnership Has Not Been More powerful

Ten years within the making, we've became a member of forces with Microsoft, Google, and Amazon . com to provide best-in-class solutions, utilizing both private and public clouds for CSP partners. For Microsoft Azure-based solutions, the application layer integration provides from advanced user and operation intelligence to finish point management. With Citrix Workspace on Azure, partners can offer elevated visibility and simplified control over all customers’ users, apps, desktops, data, endpoints, and devices with digital workspaces from Citrix.

Accelerate Your Profitability like a CSP

If you haven't explored the CSP program, now's time for you to utilize this chance. CSP partners see as much as 40 % YoY growth utilizing Citrix Workspace technology, roadmaps and implementation across diverse market verticals. Additionally they create new monthly recurring revenue streams via cloud subscription-based IT services, and realize margins of > 45 percent.

Will the future of work be run by machines?

A well-recognized story and, possibly, an natural fear is the fact that eventually we are enslaved through the very machines we've built. The poem “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” is definitely an early (1797) example in which the apprentice enchants his broom to complete his work with him, only to discover he isn't completely in charge. Consequently, clearing up the mess produced by the enchanted broom far outweighs the advantage acquired in the initial support. This tale led the way for dystopian sci-fi futures where artificial intelligence (AI) basically “takes over” so we succumb towards the “rise from the machines”. But is that this fear rational?

Well possibly it's, because we've lost charge of the machines we've today. Although we spend our time centered on the moral risks for the future of AI, we've unsuccessful to check out what's before us. In fact the various tools and software which were the building blocks of today’s work aren't serving us. We're serving them.

First we identified email because the problem. It's gone from hero to hated, and contains taken us a mind-boggling 4 decades to decipher it. A location where we organise our priorities and obtain to the work. Frequently missed and adopted up with a message or telephone call. We've flags, tags, filters, folders, searches, and alerts to make it better.  Now we're in the middle of email alternatives - messaging, channels, collaboration tools - where we risk duplicating and triplicating our try to make certain it’s seen. All we have to do now's to follow along with up with sky writing.

But it isn't just email. Nearly every application you utilize to obtain work done is creating its very own work. The brain are mapped using the complex pathways of tabs and drop lower menus and unintuitive idioms we have to know to obtain the work done. Whenever we achieve critical mass, this navigation becomes the job. A piece that adds no value apart from for everyone it.

Listed here are three from the greatest problems:

• Search - Estimates on the time spent searching apps are in about eventually per week. But it’s most likely worse than that. Should you can’t find something naturally ask the individual alongside you and also they lead you to another person. Companies have invaluable employees who know where stuff is and the way to do stuff. It’s an art, and currently we want it to obtain work done. We run training, we set up posters, we even distribute emails to help individuals find stuff. So allow me to inquire this: When CEOs imagined the folks required to build the dream, did they are saying, “We will surround ourselves with individuals which are skilled in navigating applications”?
• Context Switching - Jumping between various unrelated tasks might seem just like a national sport, but actually it’s literally killing us. We've more distractions from devices that ever and expectations on response occasions are instant. We neglect to prioritise, and also the factor from the moment becomes the priority. Texts, alerts, email, someone asking how to locate something, all beg for the complete attention. As much as 40 % in our time is wasted switching. On the top of this, multitasking continues to be proven to materially increase stress at the office. So, basically, carrying out work that isn't jobs are stressing out employees.
• Application Overload - The want new applications running a business remains unchecked, with organisations typically experiencing a internet development in their quantity of applications every year. Research conducted recently revealed nearly half the organisations had over 100 apps within the corporate portfolio. Outdoors of this, studies have shown that smartphone users alone were using about 30 different apps in almost any given month. Most organisations are centered on attempting to reduce application sprawl due to the management (and license cost) overhead but think about the human impact. We're basically making more functions and putting more data across more apps, growing the complexness. Ever checked out your browser and realized you've a lot of tabs open you cannot tell exactly what the header states? Or maybe you have shut lower the apps in your phone only to discover a large number of open functions without anyone's knowledge? That’s application overload.

But hope is offered.

Big Eco-friendly Buttons

We've overcome complexity previously. Check out your photocopier - if it is under 5 years old, it’s most likely resplendent with features that will permit it to turn out just about anything. But in some way everybody at work continues to be able to utilize it. How? Well many people would like to copy, and to assist them to there exists a big eco-friendly button, frequently placed towards the bottom right. Developers now permit other software to speak to their applications, permitting the emergence of micro apps which are small , easy and that present the applying function that you simply, as a person, need most. Contemplate it your own big eco-friendly button.

Artificial Intelligence

Not even close to being our enemy, AI is a lot more apt to be a significantly-needed companion. Voice recognition makes way for straightforward voice request, and machine learning means the machine can understand your conduct and offer functions and knowledge which are highly relevant to the context you're in, be it the time, the your meeting, or even the content from the email you last received. The killer application may be the one to help you get organised and perform the navigation for you personally.

Generations To Come

Deep lower everybody has always searched for purpose within their roles to some degree, however the coming generations are demanding it in spades. The popularity to refuse sub-standard processes and systems is among the most important catalysts which will shape the way forward for work. Rather of shunning this enthusiasm and letting them know to fall lined up, we ought to embrace this. The recommendation I gave the kids ended up being to “never, never, never accept mediocrity from yourself or others”. These generations have become track of the intuitive experience delivered through social application feeds, shopping online, and gaming systems, which easily handle much deeper amounts of complexity than the majority of today’s enterprise apps.

Citrix and Google Cloud extend partnership at CitrixSynergy

Go big or go home! That’s what I always say when asked about our partnership with Google Cloud, and that’s exactly what we are doing at Citrix Synergy 2019. David Henshall, Citrix’s President and CEO, along with Rob Enslin, President of Global Customer Operations at Google Cloud, talked about our expanded partnership during the Day 1 keynote. This would not have happened unless we had something special to share with our customers.

Our partnership started eight years ago, and you heard from us last year at Synergy that our partnership had become even more relevant for our customers who are transforming their business and leveraging the cloud.

Building on that momentum, we are now announcing Citrix Workspace for Google Cloud, which will enable the future of work to deliver an amazing application experience and increase employee productivity. With the expansion of our partnership, Citrix and Google Cloud will deliver an elegant digital work experience for our customers. Read more from Google Cloud here.

Google Cloud + Citrix Announcements at #CitrixSynergy

There is a ton of buzz about our partnership at Synergy. To help net it out for you, here’s a breakdown and more details on the key announcements and what you need to know:

Machine Creation Service (MCS) Automated Provisioning for Google Cloud Platform (GCP)

Using Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops MCS for GCP, IT will be able to provision Windows-based Citrix workloads on Google Cloud at scale and enable image lifecycle management for a modern digital work environment, cost effectively. This automated provisioning for Google Cloud Platform is available on demand today and will be rolled out to all customers in the third quarter of 2019. Customers interested in getting access to this new feature in Q2 should contact their Citrix account manager or Citrix on GCP to request more information.

Citrix Workspace for GCP

• Unified and Secured Digital Workspace: Citrix Workspace empowers IT to deliver GCP-hosted apps, desktops and data to modernize the user experience and provide unified access to files and apps (i.e. G Suite/SaaS/Virtual/Mobile/Windows), across Google devices and operating systems (e.g. Chrome Enterprise and Android Enterprise).
• Added Intelligence: Citrix Workspace’s integration of intelligent capabilities to Google G Suite will enable companies to automatically notify employees of important events from their Google calendars through personalized feeds within Citrix Workspace and create a simple, intelligent experience. This helps reduce the frustration that comes with constantly switching apps and searching for information, while also boosting employee engagement and productivity. Capabilities like this are made possible through microservices and the integration of Citrix Workspace with Google Calendar and Google Directory.  
• Google’s Cloud Identity for Citrix Workspace: Planned interoperability with Google’s Cloud Identity will allow for the seamless authentication of users to Citrix Workspace to ensure they work in a secure manner. Limited availability for this feature is targeted for end of year.

Linux Virtual Delivery Agent (VDA) support for GCP

Linux virtual desktops and applications from Citrix will be supported to run on GCP in Q2. This extends our Workspace for GCP further by offering a digital workspace for the larger Google developer community.

Citrix SD-WAN and ADC for GCP

Companies can leverage the powerful combination of Citrix ADC and SD-WAN to optimize and secure connectivity when transporting applications from GCP or connecting users to resources for an always-on infrastructure, even in hybrid-cloud environments. Citrix ADC CPX for GCP is now  available on the Google Cloud Marketplace and can also act as an ingress controller for Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE). Citrix ADC VPX for GCP is available now and the high availability feature is coming later this year. Citrix SD-WAN for GCP will GA in Q2! Both Citrix VPX and SD-WAN will be available in the Google Cloud Marketplace, as well. Check out everything we announced about Citrix Networking at Google Cloud Next last month.

Citrix Endpoint Management (CEM)

Citrix Endpoint Management (CEM) supports Chrome OS management via Chrome Enterprise APIs, and device, user, and kiosk policies are now supported, as well! CEM also supports Android Enterprise Fully Managed, Work Profile, and Kiosk modes. Citrix is an approved EMM partner for both Chrome Enterprise and Android Enterprise.

Citrix Secure Mail for Chromebooks

Citrix is working on Secure Mail for Chromebooks integrated with Citrix Workspace and bringing advanced security and containment capabilities for mail on Chrome devices.

Citrix named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality for the 3rd year in a row

For the third year in a row, Citrix was named a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). At Citrix we are continuously working to create an environment of belonging, where we all feel that we fit in, can take risks, and are empowered to contribute to the business as ourselves, and can bring our authentic selves to work each day.

With this designation, Citrix joins more than 600 major businesses — spanning nearly every industry and geography — earning a top score of 100 percent.

HRC and What They Do

HRC is the largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans. Their Corporate Equality Index is the national benchmarking tool on corporate policies and practices that create great workplaces for LGBTQ people.

The Importance of This Award for Citrix

The rapid progress that the LGBTQ community has made in recent years with marriage equality, hate crimes protection, and the ability to serve openly in the armed forces has actually left us vulnerable due to the lack of consistent federal protections in employment.

For example, when companies don’t have the right policies in place, LGBTQ employees run the risk of getting married on Sunday and being fired on Monday, just because they are gay. I know, it’s crazy!

Citrix values all employees and is a leader in diversity efforts. These extra measures mean that we can feel safe bringing our whole selves to work each day.

What We Did to Achieve a Perfect Score

Last year, we received a score of 100 percent for the third time Citrix history. And we’re committed to achieving 100 percent every year going forward.

Here are the many ways Citrix supported LGBTQ employees in 2018, which contributed to Citrix receiving a perfect score:

• Non-discrimination policies
• Employment benefits
• Supporting an inclusive culture and corporate social responsibility including public commitment to LGBTQ equality
• Responsible citizenship

We satisfied all of the criteria, earning the distinction of a Best Place to Work for LGBTQ Equality.

In this ever-diversifying workforce, we will continue to work toward improving our policies, benefits and businesses practices so that we can get a perfect score again next year.