Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition Enables Swiss State Government, Canton Solothurn, to Migrate to Open Source Operating System

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Dec. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In an application of scale and flexibility that clearly demonstrates the security, compliancy and ease-of-integration features of its Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition software, Tarantella today announced the completion of a 4,000-seat centralized portal by the AIO (Amt fur Informatik und Organisation -- Department for Information and Organisation) of the Canton Solothurn (state government) in Switzerland to support remote client access to centralized common operating environments. The new open source platform allows the canton to act centrally -- reducing IT deployment, hardware and management costs -- and yet reach regionally -- empowering about 4500 workstations at regional hospitals and local communities to securely and seamlessly access the same IT applications as though they were located at headquarters.

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AIO has implemented a Linux-leaning open-source client-server architecture, though many client applications are still running under Windows NT and Windows 2000 and approximately half of the applications are Linux-based Java and web applications. To manage the migration from Windows desktop to Linux desktop, AIO built a specialized web portal upon which all internal and external connections will run in the long-term. Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition software will serve as the vehicle for application deployment within the portal.

Mr. Kurt Bader, Head of the AIO in Solothurn commented, "Tarantella Secure Global Desktop gives us a platform with which we can implement our current and future applications. Thus, we can achieve our 'IT to Open Source' objective elegantly and safely, in simple and transparent steps. The qualifications of the employees at CTS-Computer AG and Tool Box Solution GmbH were highly valuable and they helped us achieve our goal."

According to Mr. Bader, the migration from an existing Citrix implementation to a production Secure Global Desktop platform was implemented in under three weeks. The new architecture relies on server modules for every 250 users, which can be integrated into the Secure Global Desktop array if necessary. In addition, AIO's portal implementation includes PDF printing from NT servers on Windows and Linux clients; transit access to Citrix MetaFrame via integration of the ICA client; highly secure Internet access with a download transfer zone; and a redundant connection to the Secure Global Desktop array with a virtual interface. "Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition is the market leader for secure application access in Linux and open source environments," said Steve Bannerman, Tarantella's Chief Marketing Officer. "AIO's new platform clearly demonstrates Secure Global Desktop's flexibility in integrating applications from Linux and NT servers into a custom portal, and the scalability to deploy to thousands of users. But equally as important, it's an excellent example of the ease in which legacy Citrix implementations can be modernized to support leading edge IT architectures using Tarantella technology."

"Just as with corporate management, accountability of the civil service needs to be matched by access to the correct information and the appropriate tools at all times," said Attilio T. Rudin, Enterprise Business Consultant for Tarantella in Switzerland. "Secure Global Desktop provides this enterprise- wide, or in this case: state-wide, support with the assurance of a third-tier server layer that enables iron-clad security and seamless integration with existing hardware and software. In doing so, the canton is leveraging its existing IT infrastructures and investments, while simultaneously setting out a clear, yet eminently versatile vision for the future."

Targeted to the enterprise with the highest security and flexibility requirements, the Tarantella Secure Global Desktop Enterprise Edition software is the only secure application access solution to span an unprecedented range of server-based applications including Microsoft Windows, Linux, UNIX, Mainframe or Midrange systems. Its three-tiered design is engineered to support open standards, stringent security and encryption requirements, and to optimize network performance, using any combination of Internet, intranet or extranet pathways. Enterprise Edition is the ideal platform to enable cost- effective enterprise application migrations and ensure business continuance in disaster scenarios. About Tarantella, Inc.

Tarantella, Inc. (OTC: TTLA.OB) is a leading provider of secure remote access software to nearly 12,000 customers' sites worldwide. Tarantella enables organizations to access and manage information, data and applications across all platforms, networks and devices. Tarantella bridges the gap between vendors, ensuring that customers have complete access to business- critical information. Using Tarantella's software, customers realize the benefits of secure corporate data, maximizing return on existing IT assets and improved productivity. The company markets its products through the Internet, key industry partnerships, and a worldwide network of consultants and resellers. Tarantella is headquartered in Santa Cruz, Calif. For more information, please visit the Tarantella web site at http://www.tarantella.com. Tarantella, Secure Global Desktop and the Tarantella logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Tarantella, Inc. in the United States and other countries. All other brand and product names are or may be trademarks of, and are used to identify products or services of, their respective owners.