MS and Citrix Bury Differences in Deal

Microsoft and Citrix have patched up their differences after the software giant agreed to hand over $100 million plus royalties in a cross-licensing development and Windows-based terminals deal.

The two will co-operate on the development of advanced multi-user capabilities for NT Servers 4 and 5, enabling applications to be executed on Windows-based thin clients that launch and run applications from the server. The terminals are aimed at limited function desktops, but users can deploy Windows applications across terminals, Net PCs and PCs.

Microsoft and Citrix settled a dispute earlier this year after Citrix claimed it wanted to alter its licensing terms with Microsoft as it felt that it should receive more money.

Paul Maritz, Microsoft Windows NT group vice president, acknowledged that the software developer had rejected developing its own multi-user functionality in-house. ?We needed to accelerate time to market and provide a path forward for new and existing users,? he claimed.

Neither company would say how long it would take to deliver additional NT systems, but Maritz said: ?The whole point is to have well integrated and synchronised systems within the NT Server environment.?

The packaging and naming of the NT server systems is undecided, and Maritz acknowledged that additional functions will incur fees. Applications will continue to be charged on a per seat basis.

Ed Iacobucci, Citrix chairman, chief technology officer and developer of OS/2, stressed that Citrix? commitment to Winframe was stronger than ever.

Both companies are committed to ensuring Winframe capability for the entire NT Server line.