Once again, as with the previous iterations of IDC Client Computing reports, Citrix is positioned as a Leader in the 2019-2020 IDC MarketScape for Virtual Client Computing. We’re proud of this recognition, as it highlights how we’re transforming the future of work by developing a unified workspace solution that not only ensures data security but that also improves user experiences for both IT teams as well as end-users. We attribute our successful positioning in this report to you — our customers — for your partnership as we work together to deliver these industry-leading solutions.

Source: “IDC MarketScape Worldwide Virtual Client Computing Software Vendor Assessment” by Shannon Kalvar, January 2020, IDC #US45752419

The IDC MarketScape for Virtual Client Computing

IDC evaluated the various Virtual Client Computing (VCC) vendor companies and used a uniform set of evaluation criteria to evaluate them on the completeness of their vision and their ability to execute today, as well as over the next several years.

According to Shannon Kalvar, Research Manager for IDC’s IT Service Management and Client Virtualization Program, “In recent years, we’ve seen a significant change in the Virtual Client Computing market. For decades, the market revolved around a core set of compatibility, mobility, and security use cases and been tied to expensive/lengthy infrastructure purchase cycles. Recently, this has changed with the advent of public cloud sourcing for infrastructure resources which enabled an evolution in the capability to create integrated ‘digital workspaces.’ These workspaces are an emerging area in which the vendor expands the desktop workspace generally around either task aggregation or work observation, with a focus on different approaches to enhancing individual awareness about and simplification of tasks to be completed.”

Why Citrix is a Leader in VCC

Citrix was recognized by our efforts in the VCC space to create a unified, cloud-based platform that encompasses the tools needed for today’s and tomorrow’s end-users, as well as IT teams. Citrix has made a concentrated effort to partner with our customers to fully understand their challenges and use cases. We’ve used these learnings to improve on the most important use cases and to help drive the overall product strategy.

  • Experience — We continue to lead the industry in providing the best user experience at the lowest cost to our customers. With technologies like Performance Analytics, we’re providing admins the ability to proactively analyze enterprise infrastructure and address performance concerns before it impacts end-users. Additionally, we continue to improve our HDX protocol, enhancing virtual client computing delivery for users across challenging network conditions. We’re also proud to be first-to-market and only vendor to optimize Microsoft Teams for virtual environments.
  • Security — We continue to make investments to ensure corporate data is protected without impacting the end-user experience. With Citrix Analytics for Security service, we provide the ability to analyze user metrics for virtual workloads and pinpoint anomalies, giving IT teams the ability to proactively asses security threats in the enterprise, even providing the ability to record a user’s session when that user performs an action outside of their normal behavior. Additionally, we’re taking security a step further with the ability to secure users from malicious software such as key loggers and screen scrapers, making sure VCC session data doesn’t go beyond an organization’s control.
  • Choice — We provide flexibility to our customers to best fit their deployment needs, whether they’re undergoing a private-cloud, hybrid-cloud, public-cloud or multi-cloud approach. We are first and only vendor to provide Day 1 support for Microsoft WVD, being the first to allow customers to deploy Azure Virtual Desktop (formerly Windows Virtual Desktop) alongside their existing on-premises applications and desktops. We’re also recognized for our advanced monitoring capabilities, allowing admins to properly asses the health of their environments to properly allocated resources where needed. Customers can choose Citrix Managed Desktops, a simple and turnkey service to quickly deliver desktops and apps to any device, from anywhere.

By developing a solution that’s designed for the cloud, we’ve helped many customers on their cloud initiatives. As Alejandro Romillo, CEO of Health Choice Network points out, “Being a cloud first model and working with Citrix to be able to provide that has removed a lot of burdens from our backs. We no longer have to worry about, ‘Is the server capable?’ or ‘Do we have to expand the memory?’ All that is gone.”

The Citrix Commitment to Excellence

We’re committed to delivering a complete product that is designed to not only address an organization’s core needs but fit also fit within their overall strategy and initiatives.

Citrix Workspace is the platform for better work — a single digital space that unifies all assets and activities people need to do their best work and help their organizations gain an edge. Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops is integrated with Citrix Workspace to provide the best experience and fulfill security and compliance needs for modern IT. Tight integration with Citrix Endpoint Management and Citrix Content Collaboration solutions enable users to easily and securely access data on their endpoints. Furthermore, Citrix Analytics and its machine learning platform dynamically enhance Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops policy capabilities based on enterprise requirements. Click here to download the 2019-2020 IDC VCC MarketScape report.

IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT suppliers in a given market.  The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. The Capabilities score measures vendor product, go-to-market and business execution in the short-term. The Strategy score measures alignment of vendor strategies with customer requirements in a 3-5-year timeframe. Vendor market share is represented by the size of the circles. Vendor year-over-year growth rate relative to the given market is indicated by a plus, neutral or minus next to the vendor name.