Citrix Merchandising Server

Create, Deliver and Manage high quality user experience

Citrix Merchandising Server is a new head-end infrastructure component that helps create, deliver and manage a high quality end user experience on laptops, desktops and smartphones. Now with the introduction of the Merchandising Server, IT can easily “merchandise” their IT services in a convenient, simple way that seamlessly connects users to virtual applications, desktops and other services – in the same way retail merchandising managers create a compelling shopping experience for their customers.

Easily “Merchandise” Virtual Apps and Desktops
With centralised management, the Merchandising Server makes it very easy for IT to enable “merchandising” virtual applications and desktops across the entire organisation. The Merchandising Server sits in front of the XenApp and XenDesktop infrastructure and facilitates not only the delivery of virtual apps and desktops but more importantly also helps IT “merchandise” these services to provide a simple and intuitive enduser experience.

Simplifies Setup and Distribution
The Merchandising Server provides easy management, setup and distribution of the Citrix Receiver, Plug-ins and updates. For endusers, Citrix Receiver’s one-time setup is simple, fast and easy as users will simply point any browser to the Setup site included with Merchandising Server. Two clicks and the setup process starts. From a fresh PC or laptop to fully provisioned with the broad range of IT services – from applications to virtual desktops - anywhere in the world in less than 15 minutes (depending upon network connection).

Citrix Merchandising Server comes packaged as a virtual appliance that:

Manages the setup of Citrix Receiver.
Enables “plug-ins” to support multiple types of delivery services.
Centralises management of all updates,
Enables access to web-based user support services, and
Offers robust management reporting features.

Typical Merchandising Server “setup and update” workflow

Using a simple “packaging” utility (included), the IT admin creates an initial download package for the included Receiver Setup web site. This package includes the Citrix Receiver framework and the Citrix secure access plug-in, along with setup information that Receiver uses to connect to the appropriate Citrix Delivery Center.

The package automatically installs itself (without requiring administrator credentials) and requests a secure login from the delivery services head-end (including two factor authentication) to get a user’s specific service entitlements based upon his/her credentials.

The secure login connects Receiver to its “home” update service on Merchandising Server to allow additional plug-ins to be installed, as specified by the admin. Other setup services can be included in this process such as the installation of certificates and endpoint security.

Merchandising Server automatically checks with Citrix.com for updates to Citrix Receiver and plug-ins through a web service interface making it easy for administrators to deliver the latest versions of plug-ins.
Updates to Citrix Receiver and plug-ins are downloaded directly and can be placed into Merchandising Server’s testing and validation area.

After testing and validation, updates can then be scheduled for automatic download to users based upon user preferences for update checks or IT-controlled mandatory updating.