Citrix NFuse Elite Builds On New Access Portal Family

The long-awaited portal server, formerly code-named South Beach, is called NFuse Elite and will become part of a new product family called Access Portal.

"We're delivering on our vision of the virtual workplace," said David Manks, director of product marketing at Citrix, based here. "It's not about a place, going to an office. Work is where you are."

NFuse Elite, scheduled to ship during the first half of this year, provides personalized Web-based access to applications, content and Web services.

The Access Portal product family also includes NFuse Classic, formerly known as NFuse, which Citrix provides free to users of its MetaFrame application delivery platform to provide Web-based access to Windows and Unix applications; and Enterprise Services for NFuse, which provides Web-based access and management for customers with multiple MetaFrame server farms.

Some solution providers said they plan to use NFuse Elite to delve into the portal space.

"We haven't been in this space yet, but customers are starting to ask for more flexibility," said Peter Busam, vice president and COO of Decisive Business Systems, a solution provider based in Pennsauken, N.J.

Solution providers also said they expect NFuse Elite to provide additional sales opportunities within their existing Citrix client base.

"We're hoping it's something we can really sink our teeth into," said Bradley Perry, operations manager at Automated Systems, Lincoln, Neb. "I think this is something that people will want, and I like to be on the front end of the curve."

In addition, Citrix launched Fast Track 500, a program that provides partners with early access tools and training for NFuse Elite.