With this move, Citrix is getting a technology that enables users to stream a Windows or Linux operating system to any desktop or server as needed. Benefits of this centralized approach, according to Ardence and its future owner, include reduced desktop administration costs and tighter security.

Citrix didn't disclose the purchase price of the privately owned Ardence and said it expects to complete the deal sometime in the first quarter of next year. It will integrate its offerings into its product line over the next year, said Mike Cristinziano, vice president of strategic development at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Citrix.

Ardence, which has about 100 employees and some 3,000 customers, will continue to operate from its offices in Waltham, Mass., Cristinziano said.

Citrix's core product is its Presentation Server for delivering client/server-based applications, but the company has been moving to broaden its offerings, spending about US$600 million in the last several years.

Citrix's largest purchase was NetScaler Inc. for about $300 million in June 2005. NetScaler makes a technology that accelerates the performance of Web-based applications.