It’s still early days for business adoption of Chromebooks. However, Citrix Systems believes that Google’s low-cost laptop running the company’s Chrome operating system will catch on in the enterprise.
To push things ahead, the application and desktop virtualization solution vendor has partnered with Google to deliver business-critical Windows apps to Chromebooks and it is also throwing in a 25 per cent promotional discount on a version that includes XenApp Platinum. Xen App is a virtualization app that allows users to connect to their corporate applications from any computer or mobile device.
One of the key needs of organizations looking to transition to Chromebook’s alternative computing platform is the ability to provide users access to Windows applications for such things as finance, sales and human resources, according to Sudhakar Ramakrishna, senior vice-president of enterprise and service provider division at Citrix.
“Applications remain at the core of what business users need to get their job done,” he said. “With the growing acceptance of new computing platforms in the enterprise like Chrome, we are helping Chromebook users to get access to these business-critical apps anywhere and at any time.”
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Chromebooks for business will also include the app delivery solution and Citrix Receiver for HTML5, which enable customers to deliver all types of Windows apps with the high-definition user experience of Citrix HDX technology.
The bundle also includes support for collaboration with the recently announced GoToMeeting Free, a web-based app that gives users quick and simple video conferencing for Chromebook users.
“Citrix and Google have been working together since 2010 to ensure our customers have access to enterprise-critical Windows apps in the Chrome environment,” said Amit Singh, president of Google Enterprise. “Windows XP end-of-life brings a tremendous opportunity for organizations of all types to rethink their approach to computing and transition to Chromebooks for improved manageability, security and cost savings.”
Citrix has built a Citrix Ready verified ecosystem of Chromebook OEMs such as HP, Dell, Acer, Samsung and Toshiba to help customers use the latest Chromebooks with XenApp and XenDesktop solutions.
Try to figure out how to properly support Chromebooks and then add complications by using Citrix? I’ll pass.
Citrix and Google have, unfortunately, left Chromebook users out in the cold. My network administrator, like many administrators, has simply told me to use a PC or a Mac, instead of accommodating my requests to deal with the Citrix Storefront in order to implement the Receiver for HTML5. So much for enterprise acceptance of the Chrome OS. Citrix on a Chromebook? Chances are that’s a non-starter for most Chromebook owners.