Centralis software links Novell's Net services software with Citrix* MetaFrame
Centralis, a UK-based Novell Solutions Partner and premier-level member of the Citrix Business Alliance (CBA), today announced the launch of the Centralis Toolset, a collection of software designed to maximise the benefits of Novell's Net services management suite and improve integration with Citrix MetaFrame environments.
"Managing users and the delivery of applications in MetaFrame environments extends the reach of Novell's Net services software. Centralis plays a key role in pushing forward these integration possibilities. IDC has shown that organizations using NetWare, Windows NT, or Windows 2000 server operating environments can derive significant cost- and time-saving benefits by deploying Novell's ZENworks for Desktops 3. By improving the integration of Novell management solutions with Citrix MetaFrame, the Centralis Toolset clearly demonstrates how innovation by our Solutions Partners can add even greater value to our key products," said Martin Buckley, product manager, ZENworks for Desktops, Novell.
"Our partnership with Centralis provides our customers with proven expertise in the integration of market leading directory and application server technologies. This brings the benefits of server-based computing to Novell environments, and offers our customers greater choice and flexibility in the implementation of directory-enabled solutions" said James McNab, Director of Strategic Alliances, International at Citrix Systems.
Tony Doran, IT director at UCI Logistics, a Centralis toolset customer, comments: "Centralis has brought together technologies from Novell and Citrix to create a first-class solution. When we moved our users from Office 95 to Office 97 we had to visit every PC. Now we are moving to Office 2000 by deploying a ZENworks snapshot to the MetaFrame server farm that's the big difference. We really have improved our capacity to manage the network and improved the service we deliver to our users."
Designed and used by Centralis consultants to overcome the real-world problems of large-scale application deployment and systems integration issues, the Toolset includes Centralis AXE, CONTEX and Lyncx.
Centralis AXE allows Novell and Citrix MetaFrame software administrators to create processing rules for ZENworks for Desktops which simplify, standardise and accelerate application deployment in both PC and server-based computing environments. The software is shipped with a rules database which allows administrators to process many applications, including Microsoft's IE5.5, without any manual editing.
Centralis CONTEX is a brand new product, which ports the highly successful TCS snapin for NWAdmin to ConsoleOne. CONTEX allows management of users Terminal Server and Citrix MetaFrame settings on a per user basis, and adds a number of enhancements including template support and multi-user editing.
Centralis Lyncx allows administrators to automatically create Aliases for selected or all users and was developed to assist setting up contextless login in to a Novell NDS eDirectory and Windows Terminal Server / MetaFrame environment.
"Centralis software already benefits well over 1,500 companies worldwide," said Ewen Anderson, Business Development Manager at Centralis, "and this new Toolset offers to further reduce the management costs for Novell administrators. Centralis AXE provides ZENworks for Desktops managers a huge time saving whenever applications need to be snapshotted typically when moving to a new application suite or upgrading to the latest version of ZENworks."
Anderson continues "For customers with Citrix MetaFrame, the Toolset also greatly improves ZENworks-based application deployment across the farm, and integrates management of key user settings into the familiar Novell management tools."
Centralis will be demonstrating the Toolset in the Technology Labs at Novell's BrainShare® 2001 conference in Salt Lake City, Utah, from 19 March 23 March. For more information on this premier Net services software event, please visit www.novell.com/brainshare.
Delegates will be able to collect a free Toolset CD featuring evaluation copies of Centralis AXE and CONTEX plus a full version of Centralis Lyncx. A special license for Centralis AXE offering unlimited user licenses is also available from the Centralis website for a limited period to coincide with the event.
The Centralis Toolset is currently undergoing "Yes" Tested and Approved certification, scheduled for completion in time for BrainShare.
Centralis software is available for evaluation and purchase from their software website http://www.centralsoft.net.
The Centralis Toolset will be available from 19th March 2001, priced $3,850/£2,650, and, for a limited period only, will include unlimited user licenses for all three Centralis products. Centralis AXE and CONTEX can also be purchased separately, for further details please see http://www.centralsoft.net.
Centralis is an independent consultancy and software developer, endorsed as a Novell Solutions Partner, Citrix Premier Level Business Alliance Partner and Microsoft Certified Partner. Centralis offers solutions which reduce the costs and improve the flexibility of customers IT solutions.
Centralis' mission is to "Simplify the desktop device to become a business commodity, Standardise delivery of software and services and Centralise management and support to a single point of change".
To achieve this, Centralis integrates directory-enabled Net services technology from Novell with server-based computing solutions from Citrix, allowing customers to deliver applications to the desktop by the most appropriate means for each user and desktop device. Centralis has previously demonstrated integration solutions at key industry events including Novell's BrainShare and Citrix iForum.
For further information about Centralis or any of their products visit their website at www.centralis.co.uk or contact them on +44 (0)1564 795911.
Novell, Novell Directory Services, NDS and BrainShare are registered trademarks or service marks, and ZENworks and eDirectory are trademarks of Novell, Inc. in the USA and other countries.
Citrix®, MetaFrame and Citrix Business Alliance are registered trademarks or trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Ewen Anderson
Centralis
The Carriage House, Upper Wawensmoor, Wootton Wawen, Solihull, B95 6BS, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1564 795911 Fax: +44 (0)1564 795912
Email: ewen_anderson@centralis.co.uk
Website: www.centralis.co.uk