Citrix Unveils GoToMeeting with HDFaces™: Integrated HD Video Conferencing

Today at Citrix Synergy™, the event where virtualization, networking and cloud computing meet, Citrix Online – a division of Citrix Systems – announced HDFaces™, a high-definition video conferencing technology for its web conferencing products, GoToMeeting®, GoToWebinar® and GoToTraining®. HDFaces features the innovative new Citrix Multistream HD™ technology, which enables all participants to view up to six high-resolution video conferencing streams in a high-definition session for a total maximum resolution of 1920p x 960p – a market first – and allows participants to view video and the presenter’s shared desktop in the same screen for the most natural virtual meeting experience yet. A beta version will be previewed today at Citrix Synergy Berlin, and commercial availability is planned for the first quarter of 2011.

To view the demonstration on demand from Citrix Online’s Chief Technology Officer Bernd Christiansen, click here (this will be available after 9 a.m. PDT on October 6).

“When customers say they want video capabilities combined with web conferencing, they don’t mean tiny choppy images – but that’s what they currently get with the products on the market today,” said Christiansen. “What they actually want is to see the details in others’ facial expressions just like in a face-to-face meeting or training session. That’s why it was so important to us to incorporate high-resolution video into our collaboration products. I’m confident that we’re the first to combine web and video conferencing the right way and – most importantly – to make it delightful for customers to use.”

“We’ve made it so easy and natural to work on a shared document in a video conference that I can’t imagine why any businessperson would ever want to use a standalone desktop video conferencing solution again,” Christiansen added.

HDFaces is based on technology from Citrix Online Germany GmbH, formerly VidSoft GmbH. The Dresden, Germany-based video conferencing provider, which was recently acquired by Citrix Systems, provides high quality technology that delivers a superior user experience at any bandwidth. This approach complements Citrix Online’s easy-to-use, customer-centric approach to collaboration products.

Key features of HDFaces will include:

Multistream HD™ technology, the highest resolution video conferencing quality available on the market among web conferencing providers: up to six streams at a resolution of 640p x 480p each, for a total maximum resolution of 1920p x 960p.
A video conferencing viewer that is integrated into the content screen so attendees can collaborate on shared content and see each other at the same time without the need to switch between the two.
One-click web, audio and video conferencing.
Video optimization that automatically adjusts to perfectly fit the hardware and network each participant is using when video, audio or screen sharing are in use.
A resizable viewer and layouts, which can be adapted to numerous monitor and projection configurations.
No specific or proprietary hardware configuration: any HD-capable video conferencing viewer will be able to support HDFaces.
No additional cost: Video integration will be included as standard in GoToMeeting, GoToWebinar and GoToTraining.

“We’re introducing video in an easier, user-friendly way without the complexity found in current market offerings – the complexity that has prevented desktop video conferencing from becoming an integral part of natural, casual communication and collaboration,” said Brett Caine, SVP & General Manager, Citrix Online. “With our ‘simpler-is-better’ approach, we aim to change that with an offering that will make video a natural part of web collaboration – no meeting will be complete without it. We want to give users an easy to use, yet rich and engaging video experience that will make their meetings more compelling and productive.”

Roopam Jain, principal analyst, Frost & Sullivan's North America Information & Communications Technologies Practice, added: “Citrix Online’s core strengths have always been easy-to-use and affordable products. With the introduction of video conferencing, including high resolution, one-click video and simple controls, the company maintains its ease of deployment and use, which are increasingly important in a market moving beyond a niche status. Simplicity has been a key differentiator for Citrix and is sure to enhance its market momentum in web and video conferencing.”

Related links:

GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar Raise Citrix Online to #2 in Global Web Conferencing Market
Citrix Online Rated Best Overall Web Conferencing Experience by Users, Again, According to Wainhouse Research
New Integrated Toll-Free Audio Now Available for Citrix® GoToTraining®
Workshifting.com
Twitter: @GoToMeeting, @GoToWebinar, @GoToTraining, @Citrix_Synergy and #CitrixSynergy

Citrix Online’s GoToMeeting and GoToWebinar collaboration services are among the fastest growing products in the company's history, due to their ability to provide an easy-to-use, secure, cost-effective and fast way to meet, demonstrate products and collaborate online. With the addition of GoToTraining earlier this year – an easy-to-use, affordable solution for online corporate training – businesses now have a full suite of collaborative tools for their online meeting, webinar and training needs.

For more information on Citrix Online’s services, visit http://www.citrixonline.com/.

About Citrix Synergy

Born as a user conference more than 10 years ago, Citrix Synergy will present the best ideas from leaders in virtualization, cloud computing and networking to help you build a simpler and more cost-effective IT environment. Citrix Synergy Berlin takes place October 6 to 7, 2010, at the Estrel Hotel and Convention Center. Citrix Synergy San Francisco will be held May 25-27, 2011 at Moscone West Convention Center. More information is available on the Citrix Synergy website at http://www.citrixsynergy.com.

About Citrix Systems, Inc.

Citrix Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTXS) is a leading provider of virtual computing solutions that help companies deliver IT as an on-demand service. Founded in 1989, Citrix combines virtualization, networking, and cloud computing technologies into a full portfolio of products that enable virtual workstyles for users and virtual datacenters for IT. More than 230,000 organizations worldwide rely on Citrix to help them build simpler and more cost-effective IT environments. Citrix partners with over 10,000 companies in more than 100 countries. Annual revenue in 2009 was $1.61 billion.

Citrix® and GoToMeeting® GoToWebinar® and GoToTraining® are trademarks of Citrix Systems, Inc. and/or one or more of its subsidiaries, and may be registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

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