Centrix Releases WorkSpace Universal Platform to Offer SaaS Personalization and Security to Cloud Users

Overall, the cloud has substantially increased the computing power of the datacenter. Developments in both desktop and application virtualization mean more mobility for users who can now choose to take both their applications and desktops with them. To best facilitate this trend, providers have identified this need and begun to offer specialized solutions. One such company, Centrix Software, a leading provider of enterprise workspace computing solutions, today announced a new release of Centrix WorkSpace Universal.

This workspace delivery platform provides unified access to applications, desktops and content from any device and any location. In certain ways, this approach is similar to user virtualization which provides the ability to maintain a fully personalized virtual desktop when not on the company network. Then, once users are on the go, they can take this personality with them and access it, regardless of the device or the operating system. Centrix WorkSpace Universal 5.3 offers a platform for a similar application service delivery system for private cloud and hybrid computing environments. This newest release provides features for supporting the compliant use of software-as-a-service applications and dynamic application provisioning in private cloud environments.

In much the same way that user virtualization supplies original, personalized and precise environment settings geared to a specific user’s work habits for both standard and complex users, WorkSpace Universal does all that and more. One quality that user virtualization provides is its user rights management (URM) capabilities. A key component of the new platform is its pass-through authentication to SaaS (News - Alert) applications, automatically supplying the required credentials to SaaS providers on behalf of users.

A few of the other new features announced today include: the Content Launch Policy Control which sets a flexible policy by which content, documents and files are dynamically associated with an appropriate application from a variety of provisioning options (local, virtual or SaaS). In addition, admin pads provide easy, role-base controlled access to authorized administration functions. And finally, launch pads simplify the user experience with quick and easy access to key applications and content.

According to John Abbott, Chief Analyst at The 451 Group (News - Alert), “For organizations expanding their use of virtualization or planning private cloud services, having the ability to control all aspects of application provisioning and delivery is vital. As the enterprise IT infrastructure moves towards a more hybrid and virtual environment, a service framework across application provisioning and access workspaces will be a necessity. This is also critical for controlling the emergence of SaaS as a major component of the enterprise technology operation.”

In terms of the Centrix WorkSpace Universal 5.3 platform, the tools offered can be critical enablers. They provide simple and cost-effective management to significantly reduce the TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) over traditional desktop supervision methods. Paul Burke, director of products at Centrix Software stated, “With the release of Centrix Universal 5.3, organizations can create governance around new virtual and cloud-based service delivery while maintaining application availability and supporting existing infrastructure investments.”

The platform represents a more granular, holistic approach to ensure that certain aspects of the desktop are automatically managed and secured. Moreover, it optimally meets user demands by providing seamless desktop transition and portability while offering IT the level of control it requires.