Citrix LTSR: Strategize, Upgrade, Thrive!

In the fast-paced world of Citrix solutions, staying updated with the latest features and ensuring continued support is essential for maintaining a robust IT infrastructure. With the upcoming release of the new Long Term Service Release (LTSR) in early 2024, organizations utilizing Citrix environments are gearing up for the next phase of innovation and optimization.

Over the past two years, Citrix has introduced numerous enhancements and features through its Current Releases (CR), enriching the user experience and enhancing performance. For customers currently on the 1912 LTSR, this marks almost four years of advancements waiting to be explored. However, with the end-of-life (EOL) approaching for the 1912 LTSR in December 2024, it’s imperative for organizations to begin planning their upgrade journey.

Drawing from firsthand experience as a former Citrix Consultant involved in numerous upgrade projects, it’s evident that meticulous planning is the cornerstone of a successful upgrade. While upgrades may seem daunting, a well-structured rollout plan can significantly mitigate potential challenges.

The new LTSR version promises a plethora of exciting features awaiting discovery. From enhanced productivity tools to streamlined workflows, the new LTSR opens doors to a world of possibilities. Organizations can expect a blog highlighting key features introduced since the 2203 release, offering insights into the transformative capabilities awaiting implementation.

For those transitioning from the 1912 LTSR, a feature matrix provides a comprehensive overview of the new functionalities available. Additionally, an LTSR version of the Citrix Workspace app ensures endpoint clients are seamlessly integrated into the upgrade process, enhancing user experience across all touchpoints.

As organizations embark on the upgrade journey, certain considerations must be taken into account. Firstly, ensuring system compatibility and adherence to supportability guidelines, especially concerning operating systems, is paramount. Migration from outdated platforms, such as Windows Server OS 2012R2 and SQL Server versions, is essential to align with the requirements of the new LTSR.

Moreover, rigorous testing of both new features and upgrade processes is critical to identify and address any potential issues proactively. By installing CVAD 2311 or the LTSR Early Access Release (EAR) in the test environment, organizations can evaluate the compatibility and functionality of the new features firsthand. Testing upgrade paths, including in-place and parallel upgrades, helps validate the reliability and efficacy of the upgrade process.

The impending release of the new Citrix LTSR heralds an era of innovation and optimization for organizations leveraging Citrix environments. By adopting a strategic approach to planning, upgrading, and testing, organizations can seamlessly transition to the new LTSR, unlocking new capabilities and ensuring continued success in the digital landscape.