NComputing Changes Economics of PC Access Worldwide

Submitted by Ana Escalante on September 17, 2007 - 10:15.
September 17, 2007 - 10:00, Market Wire
NComputing Changes Economics of PC Access Worldwide

REDWOOD CITY, CA--(Marketwire - September 17, 2007) - NComputing, Inc., provider of the world's most affordable solutions for PC access, today announced dramatic growth in adoption of its breakthrough systems for multi-user PC computing. With schools, government organizations and businesses worldwide turning to the company's new model for affordable, energy-efficient computing, NComputing has sold over 500,000 PC access terminals around the world -- less than two years after introducing its new technology to the marketplace.

NComputing fundamentally changes the economics of desktop computing, and thereby allows mass, underserved markets -- including education and developing countries -- to more fully participate in the benefits of PCs. Most experts agree there are approximately one billion people worldwide who currently do not have access to a PC, but would use one if it were more affordable. NComputing is gaining rapid adoption in these under-resourced markets. At the same time, the company's technology is providing an exciting new alternative for small and large businesses around the world.

"At NComputing, we envision a world in which every person and organization that wants 1-to-1 access to a PC can finally afford it," said CEO and President Stephen Dukker. "We believe the world's next billion users will only achieve this dream through multi-user solutions that dramatically reduce costs and complexity, while also delivering a complete computing experience. NComputing is at the forefront of the shift to multi-user PC computing. Customers who otherwise could not afford widespread access to PCs already use our virtual PC technology in more than 70 countries throughout North and South America, Eastern and Western Europe, Asia and Africa."

A Revolutionary Idea -- Share the Power

NComputing's rapid growth stems from its unique ability to resolve a fundamental contradiction in today's PC marketplace. While there are not enough individual computers to go around, there's a surplus of computing power on desktops worldwide. In fact, today's standard PC can run many basic applications and still utilize less than 10 percent of its capacity. NComputing's technology shares the tremendous power of today's PCs among multiple users via low-cost virtual PCs -- connected to standard monitors, keyboards, and mice -- at a cost of as little as $70 per seat. Both Windows and Linux operating systems are supported, and users get a rich, highly satisfying experience, including full-screen, full-motion video.

NComputing's X300 systems enable up to seven users to simultaneously share a single PC. The company's L-series supports up to 10 users on a PC, 30 on a basic server, and hundreds with a more powerful server. The systems are easy and low-cost to deploy and maintain, and are highly energy efficient. NComputing terminals consume only about 1 watt per user, versus 115 watts for a standard PC. Because fewer PCs are needed, support costs plummet, while the solid-state NComputing terminals themselves require little or no maintenance.

NComputing in Education

Schools, which represent a major underserved market for computers, have been at the forefront of NComputing system adoption. Thousands of schools in more than dozens of countries worldwide have purchased NComputing products over the past 18 months in order to give students greater individual access to PCs. More than 200,000 seats have been deployed in U.S. schools alone, multiplying access and accelerating computer education. In North Carolina, for example, NComputing systems are deployed in 19 districts, supporting more than 10,000 students at a net savings of $4 million.

Scott Smith, director of instructional technology for the Visalia Unified School District in Tulare County, California, is among many school educators and administrators who have experienced the advantage of multi-user PC access through NComputing technology.

"I had guarded expectations, but this is one of the few innovative products we have deployed that has gone by the book," said Smith. "Our students don't even know they're using a shared system because of the rich PC experience of NComputing."

NComputing also announced today that more than 80,000 NComputing workstation seats are being deployed in every public school throughout the Republic of Macedonia. Macedonia's so-called "Computer for Every Child" project is one of the most ambitious national undertakings ever to standardize every school around a single technology platform.

NComputing in the Developing World

NComputing technology is being deployed throughout the developing world to bring PC computing to schools, hospitals, libraries, government agencies, businesses, villages and large cities that otherwise would have difficulty affording them. Almost half of all NComputing systems sold have been deployed in developing countries.

South Africa's Western Cape School System, which serves more than one million children in its K-12 schools, is using NComputing systems to provide greater PC access and bridge the Digital Divide in their region. The district's ambitious "Khanya" project is designed to provide computer education to all students in the district. NComputing systems are being integrated into existing computer laboratories to provide far more workstations at a fraction of the cost.

In Istanbul, Turkey, the Avcilar Hospital uses NComputing to provide computing access to all doctors, nurses, and administrators. "We immediately saw that it could be installed quickly and simply. Maintaining the system was also easy. And of course the cost was significantly less than a regular PC," said Mr. Ersin Soygüzel, manager of Avcilar Hospital's computer department.

Continue reading "NComputing Changes Economics of PC Access Worldwide"
Submitted by Ahmed Abdi on June 2, 2008 - 08:13.
NComputing's multi-user technology enables greatly expanded computing capabilities by allowing up to 30 users to simultaneously access a single PC. This multi-user desktop experience supports simultaneous users at lower costs in an easy to use, set-up and maintain environment that is eco friendly. The result is a significantly lower cost of computing, on-going nmanagement and power usage that is many times better than a traditional networked PC model. Since most users only utilize a few percent of today’s powerful PCs, NComputing leverages this power with small access terminals and proven software that enables a single PC or server to support up to 30 users at once. The goal in the multi-user environment is to maintain the performance of the host computer across many users; and as long as the host CPU, memory or LAN performance is not constrained, each access terminal should operate at a speed similar to the host. NComputing supports both Linux and Windows. From Windows 2000, Windows XP to Windows Server 2000 and Windows Server 2003. Linux distributions supported include Ubuntu/Edubuntu/kubuntu, SUSE, FEDORA, DEBIAN, CENTOS, REDHAT and others. What I like about the company is their R&D, they are always researching and improving on their products. Remember the Office Station L100? Then came the NComputing L100, ad NComputing L1200, and now NComputing L130,NComputing L230. Not to forget the NComputing Xtenda X300. In East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Congo, Ethiopia, Somalia) you can contact OPENCODE SYSTEMS at www.opencodesystems.com. Their telephone is +254-020-3560507/8, +254-722-681971, +254-721-219190
Submitted by Abdi Tom on June 9, 2008 - 10:53.
The average person uses less than 10% of the capacity of their PC. The rest is wasted. NComputing taps into the other 90% so that multiple users can simultaneously share a single PC. Each person runs their own applications—and has their own files, settings and preferences. Without the bulk. Without the cost of a dedicated PC. NComputingś desktop virtualization solutions are unique because we provide both the hardware and the software. The virtualization software allows one PC to act like many. NComputing hardware allows users to connect their keyboards, monitors, mice, and speakers to the shared computer. You'll be up and running in no time at all. A good product by NComputing and congrats to opencode systems for bringing it closer to Africa. I have worked with these products in Uganda! They are good. I am not marketing for NComputing. A good product speaks for itself!
Submitted by Anonymous on June 11, 2008 - 13:36.
This is a technology for the future. It has a good potential especially in Africa. What is funny my google takes me to Nothern America Schools who have really rolled out the product. Xtenda X300 is good for schools and corporate work groups. NComputing L230 is good for those who do not mind spending a few more cents and in a networked environments. I am happy to hear the technology is now in Africa!
Submitted by Anonymous on June 21, 2008 - 11:45.
I agree. A good concept. It is high time we in Africa started thinking of Green Computing. We are always left behind and start complaining when we realize that others have made strides far ahead of us...
Submitted by Anonymous on July 20, 2008 - 12:33.
A friend in Tanzania tells me they have tried NComputing L230 for a year now and their electric bill... Down by 10 percent. They are now rolling the product in the whole company and hoping not only to cut electric expenditure but also to comply with their 2010 Green Initiative... We will be trying the technology in our company soon. My boss has a proposal on his table.

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