Citrix

Northfield Mount Hermon School Wins Top Award for Citrix MetaFrame Implementation

Honored by the National Association of Independent Schools for its World-Class IT Infrastructure

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla » 2/26/2003 » Citrix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: CTXS), a leader in enterprise infrastructure software and services, today announced that one of the nation’s largest independent schools has won top honors for its world-class technology infrastructure, which is based on Citrix® MetaFrame XP™.  Northfield Mount Hermon (NMH), an independent, coeducational college preparatory school in western Massachusetts, will receive the award from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) today at the organization’s annual conference in New York.  

Recognized in the technology category of NAIS’ Leading Edge Program, NMH has demonstrated excellence in programs that advance the use and integration of technology in education.  The school uses Citrix technology to provide worldwide access to educational applications for more than 1,100 students as well as faculty and staff dispersed between two campuses seven miles apart.  The school’s strong commitment to international education is served by the ability of MetaFrame XP to provide access to these applications from anywhere, with any device, over any network.

All students, including 200 day students and 900 boarding students, are given a “virtual desktop” based on Citrix MetaFrame XP software, which allows secure access to personalized applications and documents from their own computers or from computers in the school’s classrooms, two libraries and many dormitory lounges.  Students access their virtual desktops via wireless classroom LANs, wired dormitory LANs and dial-up or broadband Internet connections from home.  In addition the school has “mobile notebook carts,” which consist of laptops equipped with MetaFrame XP software, that teachers can wheel in and out of their classrooms as needed.  Since all applications and information reside on centralized servers, Northfield Mount Hermon is able to use an expanded mix of computer platforms – PCs, Macintosh®, Windows® CE devices, and Windows terminals – as appropriate while reducing equipment replacement and support costs.

“Citrix technology has allowed us to more easily and effectively distribute educational applications and information to every one of our 1,100 students, plus faculty and staff,” said Jon Shannon, director of information technology, Northfield Mount Hermon School.  “With MetaFrame, our students can access the same services no matter where they’re located – in the classroom, library, dorm room, at home, and around the world – no matter what machine they’re using.  We’re committed to using the most effective technology to support the great teaching that happens here, and Citrix technology has allowed us to do just that.”  For more information about Northfield Mount Hermon School and its award-winning technology, visit http://www.nmhschool.org.

“Server-based computing continues to be a high-benefit computing option for educational institutions at all levels because of its easy maintenance, reliability, security and cost-effectiveness,” said Tushar Mutreja, senior manager of education, Citrix Systems.  “Northfield Mount Hermon School’s technology program clearly demonstrates the value that today’s leading technology solutions bring to the classroom.”  

About the NAIS Awards Program  
The NAIS Leading Edge Recognition program honors NAIS member schools at various enrollment levels for their outstanding programs in four categories, including community relations, curriculum innovation, equity and justice initiatives, and technology.  In each of these categories, one school in each of three enrollment levels (fewer than 200 students, 201 to 700 students, and more than 700 students) will be recognized.  The honored programs demonstrate not only innovation, but also successful practical application.  The purpose of the NAIS Leading Edge Program is to recognize achievement in critical areas, showcase best practices and model programs to inspire and motivate other schools, and to gain public recognition for schools whose programs and projects advance the independent school community.  

About Citrix
Citrix Systems, Inc. helps ensure that the increasingly remote workforce has access to enterprise resources on demand to make decisions faster, be more productive and provide better customer service, from anywhere in the world.  More than 120,000 companies and nearly 50 million people use Citrix software and services every day to connect to business-critical applications and information.  Citrix is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and has offices in 22 countries.  For more information visit http://www.citrix.com.

For Citrix Investors
This release contains forward-looking statements which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  The forward-looking statements in this release do not constitute guarantees of future performance.  Those statements involve a number of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, including risks associated with the company’s business involving the company’s products, their development and distribution, economic and competitive factors and the company’s key strategic relationships and other risks detailed in the company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Citrix assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking information contained in this press release or with respect to the announcements described herein.

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Citrix®, MetaFrame® and MetaFrame XP™ are registered trademarks or trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries.  Microsoft® and Windows® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries.  Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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