Computing for the cloud era

Citrix has unveiled the next phase of its strategy for Citrix CloudGateway, which it calls the first unified service broker that aggregates, controls and delivers Windows, Web, SaaS and mobile apps to any user on any device. CloudGateway is said to give users intuitive self-service access to all of their business apps, and gives IT control over apps and data from public cloud environments, speeding enterprise adoption of the cloud and mobility.

Systems and processes created to support traditional IT needs were not designed for the flexibility of the cloud, Citrix maintains, and force IT to address each new app or device with silo technologies on an ad hoc basis. Consequently, IT loses control over cloud apps and the mobile devices that their users are adopting, putting enterprise data at risk.

CloudGateway, however, enables businesses to transform user computing for the cloud era, Citrix says, and gives IT unified control across all apps. Customers can protect their enterprise apps and data with scenario-based controls, such as identity provisioning for authorized users and automatic de-provisioning for terminated employees.

Citrix reports that CloudGateway will be available for tech review this month, and generally available within three months in the following editions:

• CloudGateway Enterprise—Enables enterprises to aggregate, control and deliver all Windows, Web and SaaS apps to any device anywhere.
• CloudGateway Express—Focuses on Windows apps, enabling Citrix XenDesktop and XenApp customers to deliver virtual apps and desktops via a unified storefront with self-service to any device. Express will be free of charge to customers currently using XenDesktop or XenApp.