- Outdated PCs would possibly run eLux, however they received’t escape NetScaler’s historical past of safety flaws
- Digital desktops received’t prevent in case your crew can’t deal with VDI’s load and latency
- Citrix says “skip the {hardware},” nevertheless it doesn’t point out its personal rising software program charges
Citrix is positioning virtualization platforms as a cost-saving resolution amid rising {hardware} costs introduced on by the April 2025 U.S. tariffs.
In a latest blog post, Vice President of Product Philipp Benkler urged that organizations can keep away from buying new, tariff-impacted business PCs by extending the lifetime of their present {hardware}.
He proposed changing Home windows with eLux, a Linux-based operating system Citrix acquired in January by way of its buy of Unicon, and pairing it with Citrix’s digital desktop infrastructure (VDI) platform.
Tariffs and Home windows transitions create a well timed opening
The timing of this proposal is strategic. With Windows 10 approaching its October end-of-life and Windows 11 upgrades looming, strain is mounting on firms to modernize.
On the similar time, {hardware} prices are growing. Citrix argues that probably the most cost-effective path ahead is to run centrally managed remote desktops from present endpoints, one thing VDI is designed to assist.
Nonetheless, there are sensible challenges. VDI environments are susceptible to points like “boot storms” – sudden spikes in person exercise that may trigger sluggish logins, decreased efficiency, and even system instability.
Addressing this requires strong infrastructure and site visitors management. Citrix claims its NetScaler platform mitigates these issues and promotes it as a digital equipment that may run on present servers, doubtlessly avoiding additional {hardware} purchases.
Nonetheless, Citrix’s message right here shouldn’t be with out self-interest. Whereas the corporate frames this strategy as a solution to bypass tariff-related value will increase, it additionally clearly goals to drive adoption of its just lately expanded software program portfolio.
There’s an underlying endorsement of the assumption that U.S. commerce coverage will pressure home IT budgets, a priority acknowledged by the federal government however framed as short-term ache for long-term profit. Citrix seems desperate to capitalize on that short-term disruption.
Moreover, whereas Citrix markets this as a cost-saving resolution, it has additionally just lately modified its licensing mannequin, reportedly elevating costs.
Organizations contemplating the VDI route should weigh these licensing prices towards the potential financial savings from avoiding {hardware} upgrades.
Safety is one other issue. Citrix depends closely on NetScaler, a core part of its proposal, but NetScaler is steadily focused by cybercriminals. Working unpatched or poorly maintained cases may introduce new vulnerabilities, creating danger as an alternative of financial savings.
In brief, Citrix affords a workaround, nevertheless it comes with trade-offs, complexity, and potential danger. Whether or not it’s a viable resolution depends upon a company’s particular IT surroundings, price range constraints, and urge for food for technical overhead.
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