The deal focuses on enhancing Citrix solutions with Microsoft Azure for advanced enterprise services.
Cloud Software Group Inc. and Microsoft Corp. have announced an expansion of their long-standing collaboration through an eight-year strategic partnership. This partnership aims to strengthen the go-to-market collaboration for the Citrix virtual application and desktop platform and facilitate the development of new cloud and AI solutions. As part of the agreement, Cloud Software Group will commit US$1.65 billion to Microsoft’s cloud services and generative AI capabilities.
Strengthening a historic alliance
The partnership builds upon the longstanding alliance between Citrix, a business unit of Cloud Software Group, and Microsoft, making Citrix the preferred solution for Enterprise Desktop as a Service on Microsoft Global Azure for joint Azure customers. Together, they will offer customer support, tailored solutions and expert guidance to facilitate the cloud adoption journey.
Citrix will also prioritize Microsoft Azure as its primary cloud solution, enhancing the Citrix platform with Azure Virtual Desktop and Windows 365 and offering modern procurement through the Azure Marketplace.
“As organizations embrace flexible work models, the need to empower employees with secure, innovative solutions for enhanced productivity becomes imperative,” said Sridhar Mullapudi, General Manager at Citrix, emphasizing the synergy of the partnership. “The partnership between Citrix and Microsoft epitomizes the ‘Better Together’ relationship, combining both companies’ strengths to deliver unmatched value and innovation to our customers.”
Hector Lima, Chief Revenue Officer at Citrix, highlighted the new Universal and Cloud Platform licensing will simplify customer access to joint solutions. “The simplification of our new Universal and Cloud Platform licensing, which brings together all of our capabilities, including NetScaler, will make our joint solutions with Microsoft much easier for customers to consume and deploy,” he remarked.
Accelerating innovation and productivity through AI
The partnership is set to boost productivity and foster AI innovation. Cloud Software Group plans to deploy GitHub Copilot to its engineers, aiming to increase developer productivity by over 20% and accelerate research and design (R&D) efforts. Additionally, Spotfire, another Cloud Software Group business, introduced a new AI assistant, Spotfire Copilot™, built on Microsoft Azure OpenAI service, to enhance data analysis capabilities.
Embracing Microsoft 365 for enhanced collaboration
Cloud Software Group will transition all its employees to Microsoft 365, leveraging its productivity and AI tools for improved collaboration and go-to-market activities. Judson Althoff, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Microsoft, highlights the shared commitment to customer success through cloud and AI technology adoption.
“Together, we will enhance the customer experience with integrated solutions and go-to-market support for its Citrix business unit,” Althoff said. “With Microsoft 365 as its collaboration platform and Microsoft Azure as its preferred cloud solution, Citrix is well positioned to deliver transformative solutions for our mutual customers at scale.”
“We are excited to see the expanded partnership between Microsoft and Citrix and the ways in which it will help advance our own transformation journey,” said Wasif Jamal, Chief Technology Officer at Providence, showcasing the broad impact of this collaboration across various industries.
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