Un PC pour plusieurs

Case studyHealthcare

Avcilar Hospital simplifies IT managementThe Avcilar Hospital has been providing health care in Istanbul, Turkey since 1998. “Using the latest computing technology in all office departments and in the hospital’s operating and surgical unit is very important,” says Mr. Ersin Soygüzel, manager of the hospital’s computer department.

PCs breakMr. Soygüzel explains the technical difficulties that the Avcilar Hospital was facing: “It was difficult to manage and maintain all the PCs that were being used throughout the hospital.” He also says that “even the failure of a relatively minor computer part such as a fan would require expensive and time-consuming maintenance and more importantly long downtime while the PCs were being fixed. The hospital had to find a solution to manage all computers centrally. Lack of resources simply made it impossible to maintain all PCs throughout the hospital, and maintenance costs were driven even higher because each PC was using more than 200 watts of electricity. A technological solution was needed that would be easy to use by all staff and could be centrally managed.”

CHALLENGE Avcilar Hospital was searching

for an economical solution for

its struggles with the costs of

keeping all of their computers

running; this included maintenance

and the cost of electricity.

SOLUTION The NComputing L-series allowed

the hospital to easily assist all of

its users, and fit well into the

hospital environment because

of its small size and efficiency.

RESULTS The deployment of the

NComputing L-series allowed

the hospital to give computing

access to all of its employess as well

as extend access to doctors’ offices

and patient rooms. The cost

savings have been so significant

that NComputing products are also

installed in the hospital’s school.

PARTNER Dojop Technologies, an

NComputing distributor in Turkey,

enabled Avcilar Hospital to better

utilize the power of their computers

by using the L-series solution.

The NComputing L-series provides access to all Avcilar Hospital employees.

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Case studyHealthcare

Small, easy, and quietMr. Timurçin Albayrak, an IT administrator from the hospital’s computer department, explains the benefits of using NComputing products: “When we started to use the L-series we were able to connect to all user computer screens and assist them remotely by using the NComputing software. The other advantages are that it is smaller than a PC, it doesn’t take as much space on our desks, and it is much easier to move and maintain than a PC. It also works soundlessly, which is very important in the hospital environment.”

A more productive staffBy turning to NComputing L-series access terminals, the Avcilar Hospital was able to provide new and secure computer access to all of its employees. The IT department staff is able to effectively manage their time and staff due to centralized management. NComputing delivers significant up-front cost savings, as well as ongoing support and maintenance savings. Through a more efficient and effective deployment of technology, the Avcilar Hospital is now more productive and also deploys their resources more effectively. The solution improves the secretaries’ work area by removing the bulk, heat, and noise of box PCs. Avcilar Hospital was very pleased with the initial deployment and subsequently deployed NComputing products throughout their adjoining school, and in all of the doctors’ rooms and administrative offices.“We tried the

NComputing L-series and immediately saw that it can be installed quickly and simply. Maintaining

the L-series was also easy. And of course, the

cost was significantly less than a regular PC.”

Mr. ErSIN SoygüzEL, MANAgEr of AvCILAr HoSPITAL’S CoMPUTEr dEPArTMENT

www.ncomputing.com

©Copyright 2003-2008. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to

change without notice. depending on the host computers configuration application performance may vary.

CS BUS AvCILAr US EN rEv5 010609

A nurse works at an L-series workstation.

Case studyBusiness/healthcare

Chiropractors straighten misaligned computing costs Chiropractors, like all medical service providers, need technologies that im-prove service quality and office efficiency. Software company e-nate provides a web-based chiropractor patient record and billing system that is completely paperless.

Delivering innovationReady to build on the success of their web-based practice-management solution, e-nate wanted to take the next step: deliver a complete hardware/software solution that would help their customers cost-effectively migrate to a paperless office, streamline patient flow and management, and improve user-friendliness by incorporating a touch-screen interface.

“We wanted to make our solution as easy to use and deploy as possible,” said Dr. François Poulin, vice president, research and product development for e-nate. “We looked at thin-client technology, but found that the operating system wasn’t flexible enough to meet our needs, and required the use of proprietary touch screens.” e-nate also found that the thin-client approach came with higher-than-expected costs for both hardware and ongoing sup-port and maintenance.

CHALLENGE

Cost-effectively streamline chiro-

practic office management by pro-

viding access to e-nate’s web-based

patient record and billing software

in every room in the clinic.

SOLUTION

Deploy NComputing L-series to

connect touchscreen workstations

in each office to a central PC,

providing internet access to

e-nate throughout the office.

RESULTS

Huge savings in hardware costs.

Simplified deployment, mainte-

nance and support, resulting in

ongoing cost savings.

e-nate delivers a complete chiropractor office management software solution with NComputing.

Case studyBusiness/healthcare

Faster deployment, lower costsNComputing showed e-nate that today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast majority of applications only use a small fraction of the computer’s capacity. Web-based applications like e-nate’s use even less. NComputing’s virtualization software and hardware tap this unused capacity so that it can be simultaneous-ly shared by multiple users. Each user’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse connect to the shared PC through a small and very durable NComputing access device. The access device itself has no CPU, memory or moving parts so it is durable, fast and easy to deploy, and requires virtually no maintenance.

“As with any business, the bottom line for our customers is cost,” said Dr. Poulin. “Our web-based software was already being well-received. After re-searching and testing the NComputing devices, we quickly saw that we could leverage that success by delivering a complete solution at a very reasonable price. That’s a critical competitive advantage for our company.”

Immediate alignmentFor customers, the benefit of maximizing the power of their PCs is immediate and tangible. One customer, Dargis Charest—a large chiropractic practice in St. Constant, Quebec—deployed NComputing access devices throughout its office and exam rooms, all running off just one PC. That alone resulted in substantially lower hardware costs.

Dargis Charest also realized savings because NComputing devices are so simple to set up and maintain. “It’s so easy. We had the office up and running in the time it took to plug in the devices and turn on the machines,” said Dr. Poulin. “Because Dargis Charest only needs to maintain one PC, we have also helped them realize huge savings in support costs.”

“NComputing has enabled us to bring even more innovation to our customers,” added Dr. Poulin. For example, by connecting cameras to the system via the NComputing access device’s USB port, each doctor’s assistant can upload patient x-rays for viewing on monitors. e-nate also connected a large plasma TV to the network so that educational videos could be shown in the waiting room.

Because of the revolutionary economics of NComputing, e-nate is also using the NComputing solution as the basis of a hosted, monthly fee-based solution. With e-nate maintaining the hardware, chiropractors won’t have to worry about keeping their systems up and running. “We will bring cost-efficiencies to a new level,” concluded Dr. Poulin.

“NComputing hashelped us deliver a

complete solution at a very reasonable cost.”

DR. FRANÇOIS POULIN

VICE PRESIDENT RESEARCH AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

E-NATE

www.ncomputing.com

©Copyright 2003-2008. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. Other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to

change without notice. Depending on the host computers configuration application performance may vary.

CS BUS ENATE US EN REV7 010609

Chiropractors can now automate an entire office with just one PC

Case studyGovernment

Library expands computer access and cuts support costs In just a few short months, Hamilton East Public Library, with two branches in central Indiana, had five PCs used for accessing the online public access catalog (OPAC) overheat and fail. The OPAC PCs were kept in locked cabinets for security purposes, with monitors mounted on poles at each station. With little ventilation, heat built up in the cabinets, drastically shortening PC life.

With tight budgets and a two-person IT staff, the library needed to find a cost-effective solution that required little support. Systems department head Rob Brown went online to research options and checked with colleagues for recommendations. Both paths lead him to NComputing. “Traditional thin cli-ents cost too much. Plus, our Windows-based software won’t work on proprietary platforms,” said Mr. Brown. “We wanted to add more OPAC access without increasing our budget.”

Mr. Brown contacted PC Mall, an NComputing reseller. “After talking to Rob, I knew NComputing was a perfect fit for their situation,” said PC Mall sales rep Tim Rivard. “We talked about power consumption, heat generation, and the fact that using a PC at every station was overkill. When we listed the NComputing features and figured out the cost difference compared to dedicated PCs, I knew it wouldn’t be long before they made their decision.”

A very cool solution“Simple setup, more access stations at a fraction of the cost, and support time slashed. Needless to say, we went with NComputing,” said Mr. Brown. NComputing virtual desktops are perfect for libraries because today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast majority of applications only use a small fraction of the computer’s capacity. NComputing taps this unused capacity so it can be simultaneously shared by multiple users. Each user’s monitor, keyboard and mouse connect to the shared PC through the small and very durable NComputing access device, and every user has their own settings and

CHALLENGE

Provide reliable computing

access throughout the library

system while cutting costs.

SOLUTION

Deploy the NComputing L-series

throughout the library.

RESULTS

Hardware costs reduced by more

than $17,000 in initial deployments.

Improved reliability and reduced IT

support calls.

PARTNER

PC Mall, an NComputing Platinum

partner, supported the

deployment.

Hamilton East Public Library replaced existing desktops with NComputing.

Case studyGovernment

applications, so they feel as though they are working on their own machine. The NComputing access device itself has no CPU, memory or moving parts, so it’s rugged, durable and easy to deploy. By spreading out the cost of the shared PC over many users, libraries can provide four times the number of computing stations for the same budget.

“Before NComputing, our PCs would draw up to 200 watts of power each. That’s expensive, and generates a lot of heat,” said Mr. Brown. “With NComputing, each access device uses just 5 watts. That’s a huge electricity savings. Then there’s the savings in cooling costs. With NComputing devices replacing the PCs in the cabinets, heat failure has been eliminated. Deploying NComputing was simple, too—less than half an hour per machine from start to finish, including pulling down the old PC. That’s fast.”

Unbeatable value: NComputing and Microsoft Server

Over 40 more NComputing L130s are now deployed as OPAC stations, with 20 OPAC stations in one building connected to a single PC running Microsoft Windows Server. “We eliminated 50 PCs – that’s $17,000 just in hardware costs,” added Mr. Brown. “We also saved a fortune in software costs. While there’s a perception that server software is more expensive, Microsoft offers substantial discounts to public libraries through its academic licensing programs. We only needed 2 operating system licenses for the servers and 50 very affordable Microsoft client access licenses. Combining Microsoft Server with NComputing brings the cost of computer access lower than any other comparable solution.”

“Maintenance and support is a snap,” said Mr. Brown. “Patches, reconfigu-rations and software updates take minutes because we only deal with the shared PC. And the NComputing devices are so durable, I expect them to last for years. NComputing has a much lower total cost of ownership.”

A reference for successHamilton East is deploying NComputing throughout its system. The library chose the NComputing L230 for its subscription database stations because it features a USB port for users to save their work to a storage device. The 60 station public computer lab will be outfitted with the NComputing X-series which has a low $70 per-user cost.

“We eliminated 50 PCs - that’s $17,000 just in

hardware costs. ROB BROWN

SySTEMS DEPARTMENT HEAD HAMILTON EAST PUBLIC LIBRARy

www.ncomputing.com

©Copyright 2009. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. Other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to

change without notice. Depending on the host computers’ configuration application performance may vary.

CS BUS HAMILTON US EN REV5 013009

The L-series runs in the secure cabinet without overheating.

Case studyBusiness/manufacturing

Furniture manufacturer assembles efficient computing solution Modernform Group is a Thai conglomerate that manufactures office and residential furniture for both domestic and international markets. Its centralized IT department provides computer access and support to users in all nine divisions of the corporation, from the sales and marketing offices to the factory floor.

Rebuilding an inefficient IT networkWith many diverse users to support, the Modernform IT team found that it spent too much time maintaining the computer infrastructure. The company had a dangerous virus problem and many users were saving unnecessary data on their computers. The company had even hired additional technical staff to support users with computer problems.

During a department meeting for a computer replacement project, the IT team assessed the needs of the various user groups and realized that most of the corporate users were using office applications and some web-based applications in their work. The factory was transitioning from a paper-based instruction set to a web-based ERP system that allowed users to enlarge diagrams to better understand the task. These users required rugged machines that could withstand the hot and dusty environment that can easily cause computers to malfunction.

CHALLENGE

Streamline computer maintenance

in the corporate office to eliminate

viruses and unauthorized files,

and provide rugged computers

that could withstand the harsh

manufacturing environment in the

factory.

SOLUTION

Install NComputing L-series virtual

desktops in the office to improve

manageability. Additional virtual

desktops on the factory floor

survive the harsh environment.

RESULTS

Significant cost savings without

compromising the users’ computing

experience. Reduced maintenance

costs due to rugged NComputing

access devices, even in a factory

environment.

PARTNER

Siam Network & Computer, an

NComputing distributor for

Thailand, supported the

Modernform deployment.

Office staff enjoy the reliability of the NComputing L-series.

Case studyBusiness/manufacturing

One solution designed for many end users

Siam Network & Computer Co., Ltd. (SNC) introduced the NComputing solution to the Modernform IT team. The NComputing solution is based on a simple fact: today’s computers are so powerful that the vast majority of applications only use a small fraction of their capacity. NComputing’s virtualization software and hardware tap this unused capacity so that multiple users can simultaneously share it. Each user’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse connect to the shared computer through a small and very durable NComputing access device. The access device itself has no CPU, memory, or moving parts so it is rugged, durable, and easy to deploy and maintain.

Installing the NComputing solution solved Modernform’s infrastructure concerns. The rugged devices withstand the heat and dust of the factory floor, eliminating paper-based instructions on the production line while improving the quality of work. In the corporate office, maintenance and support time was reduced as the same number of users are supported by fewer computers, which are securely managed to eliminate viruses and unauthorized data.

“It’s a win-win situation as it meant that Modernform did not need to buy new computers for every user. NComputing L-series virtual desktops cost less than a new computer so they saved money while solving their problems,” said Mr. Wichai Amatamahutana, managing director of SNC.

Streamlined IT maintenance throughout the company“By putting multiple users on each shared computer, our users have found that there’s no difference in performance compared to what they had before. The system works well, and it’s convenient for us to maintain and monitor several users on a single machine. This reduces our tasks as everything can be done from a single point,” explained Mr. Sompoch Phongsai, assistant manager for production planning at Modernform.

Modernform plans to increase the number of NComputing virtual desktops throughout its factories. The company has also identified new uses for the technology, including information kiosks in its showroom and trainee workstations in its seminar room.

“The system works well, and it’s convenient

for us to maintain and monitor several users on a

single machine. This reduces our tasks as everything can be

done from a single point.”

MR. SoMPoCh PhoNGSAI ASSISTANT MANAGER, PRoDUCTIoN PLANNING

MoDERNfoRM GRoUP

www.ncomputing.com

©Copyright 2009. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to

change without notice. Depending on the host computers’ configuration application performance may vary.

CS BUS MoDENfoRM US EN REV5 013009

NComputing L-series in the factory improved uptime.

Case studyManufacturing

European sawmill sharpens their IT systemsBased in Creuzburg, Germany, Pollmeier is the global market leader in high-quality beech lumber. Customers in 60 countries purchase over 500,000 cubic meters of Pollmeier lumber annually. The lumber is processed at state-of-the-art sawmills that use cutting-edge systems and technology. Computers are used in the facility for machinery monitoring, quality assurance, process visualization, and access to SAP software.

A harsh environmentEven though the factory is high-tech, the operating conditions are brutal.

Sawdust jams up disk drives and fans. And the movement of timber and heavy machinery creates continuous vibrations that dramatically shortens computer life. The factory also has large temperature swings as the lumber moves through the production line. The factory temperature can range from 0º to 45º Celsius (32º to 113º Fahrenheit).

Initially Pollmeier tried industrial-grade PCs. The industrial PCs were housed in special protective cases, which were expensive, difficult to access, and required a lot of space. In addition, dust filters on the cases required constant replacement. As a result, the total cost for each industrial PC and cover was €2,050.

SITUATION

The Pollmeier sawmill needed a

reliable computing solution

that would keep their state-of-

the-art production running where

industrial computers have failed

because of the brutal operating

conditions.

SOLUTION

Pollmeier turned to NComputing

L-series virtual desktops to increase

dependability and reduce

maintenance costs.

RESULTS

The L-series implementation

in the Pollmeier factory reduced

costs and downtime that is caused

by the constant upkeep of

traditional industrial computers.

Pollmeier’s state-of-the-art sawmill.

Case studyManufacturing

No moving partsPollmeier turned to NComputing. NComputing desktop virtualization enables a single PC (located centrally) to be shared by multiple remote users at the same time. For example, Pollmeier placed a small number of shared PCs in their central administration building that power NComputing L-series access devices located throughout the factory. The solid-state NComputing devices are small, rugged, and can handle the environmental challenges posed by the harsh production floor at Pollmeier. Since the devices have no fans, sawdust is no longer a problem and the need to replace filters has been eliminated. Finally, with a mean time between failure (MTBF) of over 100,000 hours (7 times longer than a PC), Pollmeier can enjoy unmatched reliability.

Pollmeier also centrally manages their virtual desktops via remote control, minimizing IT staff trips into the factory.

Savings now—and into the futurePollmeier deployed L-series virtual desktops in its Creuzburg factory and has been very pleased with the solution. The key benefit is the 30% reduction in PC hardware costs because the solution eliminated the need for specialized industrial PCs and protective cases. In addition to the cost savings, Pollmeier also realized several operational benefits.

First, the IT staff does not have to waste time constantly replacing dirty filters because the protective cases and filters have been eliminated.

Second, PC downtime has been nearly eliminated because the shared PC is in a dust-free, vibration-free, temperature-controlled location (in the administration building).

Finally, in case a shared PC has a problem, the IT staff can maintain it from within the administration building which is quicker and easier to access.

Based on the positive results at its Creuzburg facility, Pollmeier decided to equip its other existing and planned factories with NComputing systems as they are built and upgraded.

“The L-series is areal alternative to

industrial PCs for use in rough industrial

environments. These devices are rock solid

and just work!”

SvEN RAAB, IT AdMINISTRAToR FoR PoLLMEIER IN CREuzBER

www.ncomputing.com


change without notice. depending on the host computers configuration application performance may vary.

CS BuS PoLLMEIER uS EN REv5 060308

The NComputing L-series access devices are extremely durable.

Case studyBusiness

Valley Yellow Pages dials NComputing to outfit sales officesValley Yellow Pages is the largest independent phone directory publisher in Northern California and the third largest independent publisher in the nation. Headquartered in Fresno, California, Valley Yellow Pages maintains 16 sales offices throughout Northern and Central California and publishes directories to house-holds and businesses that reach more than 14 million people.

The sales productivity killer Bill Wynne, technical support supervisor at Valley Yellow Pages, needed to provide computing access to over 500 account executives working out of sales offices spread throughout California. Account executives needed computing resources for Web access to e-mail, for in-house sales management software, and office productivity.

Sales teams were organized in groups of six to eight account executives reporting to a district sales manager. Each team shared just two PCs that could only be accessed one at a time. “This created bottlenecks, frustration, and a lot of administrative overhead for us in the information systems department,” said Wynne.

Wynne and his staff considered purchasing PCs for each account executive but decided that PCs would be overkill. Support would have been an enormous issue because our IS department is at our corporate office in Fresno and the sales offices are scattered around California,” said Wynne.

Enabling their sales teams with guaranteed computing access would enhance Valley Yellow Pages’ competitiveness and operational efficiency.

SITUATION

Valley Yellow Pages needed a way

to give every account executive

computer access but it did not

have the infrastructure or budget

to support such a large implemen-

tation.

SOLUTION

Valley Yellow Pages installed the

NComputing L-series in its sales

offices across California, giving

each team of six to eight account

executives computing access

to both their in-house and

enterprise applications, all from

one shared PC.

RESULTS

NComputing’s L-series was

installed in all 16 California offices.

With reliable computing access,

Valley Yellow Pages was able to

not only make sure its account

executives had the tools to

succeed, they were also able

to cut computing costs and

easily monitor computer usage.

One of the many Valley Yellow Pages offices across California using NComputing.

Case studyBusiness

Computing access for each account executiveValley Yellow Pages deployed the NComputing L-series to give each salesperson access to computing at any time. While Valley Yellow Pages was already sharing PCs, they were limited to one user at a time even if the processor’s average utiliza-tion was less than 5%. NComputing harnesses the unused power of a PC to share it among multiple users, and it does so at a fraction of the cost of individual PCs. In addition, this highly efficient system requires less electricity, less space, and less time to setup and manage, making it an ideal fit for the branches at Valley Yellow Pages.

Today, each district sales manager has a PC that simultaneously serves all users in their team of six to eight account executives. The PC runs a 2.8 GHz processor with 4 GB RAM and is connected to NComputing L-series virtual desktops.

Referring to the peripherals used, Wynne stated, “The L130 has no USB ports, which is very attractive to us. We connect only a flat-panel monitor, PS/2 keyboard and mouse. If an account executive needs to burn a CD or connect a camera, then the district sales manager’s machine must be used. This gives us an acceptable level of security and control.”

The sales teams use the NComputing systems primarily to run applications developed in-house. These tools enable account executives to research accounts, prepare for sales calls, and report sales results. The team also uses graphics software to create advertisements for their customers. Standard office applica-tions are used for web access to e-mail and for other typical office tasks.

A competitive advantage The NComputing solution helped Valley Yellow Pages give computing access to each account executive. This ensured that they could continue to provide a differentiated and competitive directory. While the challenges of deploying individual PCs to each account executive would have been substantial, “the L-series negated most of these problems,” said Wynne.

With 16 offices ranging from 16 users to 48 users each spread throughout California, Valley Yellow Pages found that the NComputing solution kept computer management simple. Since the L-series has no moving parts and no local operating system, Wynne has found them to be “more reliable than PCs.” Summing up the benefits to his team, Wynne said, “The NComputing L-series vir-tual desktops are affordable, reliable, easy to deploy and add very little adminis-trative overhead.”

“The NComputing L-series is affordable, reliable,

easy to deploy and add very little administrative

overhead.”

BILL WYNNE, TECHNICAL SUPPoRT SUPERVISoR

AT VALLEY YELLoW PAGES

www.ncomputing.com



CS BUS VALLEY US EN REV4 062508

WINNER

100

N. A

MERICA

REDHERRING

Case studyEmerging economies/education

Joining forces to bridge the digital divide in Africa

How does a country that struggles to buy textbooks for its schools manage to afford computers? That’s the dilemma facing many developing nations today. It’s also the problem that two European organizations—Ateliers Sans Frontières (ASF) and Digital Solidarity Fund (DSF)— are solving with the help of innovative virtual desktop solutions from NComputing.

Not enoughComputers and the Internet bring a wealth of information and knowl-edge to our fingertips. They allow us to conduct research, communicate, and access news and events around the world. Over the last quarter

century, most people in the Western world have grown up with computers. In contrast, the only computers that many school-age children in developing nations have seen are in photographs.

ASF is dedicated to bridging the divide. The France-based company, with facilities in Morocco and Senegal, collects used computers that are donated by companies, refurbishes them, and sends them to countries in Africa. In the three years since ASF launched, it has supplied over 3,000 computers to countries in Africa. Although the program is successful, demand has far exceeded supply.

For example, the government of Senegal asked ASF for 30,000 computers for their schools. ASF has struggled to meet the demand. The 1,000 computers it had been able to send only created a thirst for more.

That’s when another company, DSF in Geneva, Switzerland, stepped in. DSF funds worldwide IT projects with corporate donations. But the non-profit wanted to do more than just offer ASF money. It had an idea to broaden the scope of computer access in developing countries using a unique solution from NComputing.

Learning to shareToday’s PCs are so powerful that most people use less than 10% of a computer’s power at any given time. NComputing takes advantage of that untapped power and makes it available to several users who simultaneously share the resources of a single computer.

CHALLENGE

Ateliers Sans Frontières (ASF)

in France and Digital Solidarity

Fund (DSF) in Switzerland want

to help bridge the digital divide

by expanding computer access

to developing countries in Africa.

But even refurbished computers

can get expensive and demand

far exceeds supply.

SOLUTION

The NComputing X300 economically

extends the use of a single PC to

four or seven users. ASF and DSF

are jointly placing NComputing

solutions in schools, training

centers, and businesses in Morocco

and Senegal.

RESULTS

Thanks to NComputing, ASF and

DSF are providing more computer

access in developing nations. The

low-cost and durable X300 is

environmentally friendly and

requires less maintenance and

electricity than computers, making

it an ideal solution for developing

countries.

Student works on a computer powered by the NComputing X300.

Case studyEmerging economies/education

An ideal solution for schools, training centers, and businesses, the NComputing X300 includes virtualization software, a PCI card that goes into the shared computer, and three access devices. The access devices, which are about the size of a deck of cards, hook up to standard peripherals, such as a keyboard, mouse, and monitor. With two X300 kits, one shared computer can power seven users—three for each PCI card and a seventh on the shared PC.

The solution saves space and money. The access devices connect to the PCI cards via a standard network cable, which also supplies power, eliminating the need for a separate power cable. The cost of the NComputing portion of the solution comes to around US$70 per seat, substantially less than purchasing individual PCs. And each user feels like they have their own computer.

“NComputing offers huge potential to expand the reach of computer access in developing nations,” says Mehdy Davary, director of DSF. “Even refurbished computers can become expensive, not to mention the costs of keeping them running. NComputing access devices require almost no maintenance and that’s a huge plus.”

The low energy consumption of the X300 is another bonus. A large network of individual PCs would overwhelm the electrical capacities of many facilities in developing nations. The X300 consumes only 1 watt of power per user, compared to 115 watts for a typical PC.

A critical toolNComputing helps countries like Morocco and Senegal make giant strides in reducing the digital divide. DSF and ASF sent Morocco enough equipment for 40 computer access seats—10 refurbished computers, 40 monitors, and 10 NComputing X300 kits. NComputing allowed ASF and DSF to quadruple their efforts, extending 10 computers to 40 users.

“We are running a test in five different organizations in Morocco, one training center, two schools, and three businesses, to uncover the best ways to implement these solutions,” says Alexandre Guilluy, director of ASF. “Initially, we want to understand how to best use NComputing, so we can get the most out of it.”

“NComputing is a critical tool in enabling us to bring more computer access to these countries. Right now they have few computers, and without computer access, they stand no chance of catching up with the rest of the developing world,” says Davary.

ASF and DSF are implementing more solutions in Senegal and Morocco and then in Eastern Europe. NComputing expands their horizons for these groups.

“We believe that everyone, not simply the people in wealthy nations, has a right to computer access,” says Davary. “NComputing is helping make that dream come true.”

“We believethat everyone, not simply

the people in wealthy nations, has a right to

computer access. NComputing is helping

make that dream come true.”

MEDHy DAvARy, DIRECTOR OF DSF

www.ncomputing.com



CS EDU ASFDSF US EN REv6 010609

An X300 computer lab provided by ASF and DSF.

Case studyEducation

Rural Idaho school district supports large area with limited resourcesThe Fremont County Joint School District 215, located just west of Yellowstone National Park in St. Anthony, Idaho, has as its mission, “...to ensure that all students acquire the knowledge, skills, and behaviors to be contributing members of society.” With over 2,100 students in nine elementary, middle and high schools spread out over 160 square miles in rural Idaho, Fremont County shares the same technology challenges faced by most rural school districts in the United States.

Not enough money—or peopleFremont County’s core challenge stems from a limited IT budget that restricts computer access and keeps students one upgrade away from the latest computing technology. Compounding the problem for District 215 is a limited staff that must support and maintain systems spread out over a large geographic area.

“Being a rural Idaho district, we don’t have a lot of funding and we have a lot of computers that we’re trying to upgrade,” said Tracy Smith, director of technology for Fremont County Joint School District 215.

Like most school technology directors, Smith wanted to give students more access to new technology but could only buy new computers when the budget permitted. Unfortunately, his budget only allowed for a few additional computers every year since most of the budget was used to replace older computers no longer practical to keep in service.

“With our budget it would have taken us years to replace close to the 240 computers we needed across the district,” said Smith. This meant that not only would students be working with older technology, but the computer-to-student ratio would not improve over time. Smith was challenged to find a better, more cost-effective and practical solution to meet his technology goals.

SITUATION

Rural Fremont County Joint School

District 215 wanted to increase

computing access across all of its

schools, but did not have the

budget to purchase additional

computers, upgrade existing

workstations, and maintain

more computers across a large

geographic area.

SOLUTION

Rather than simply replacing

older computers, the Fremont School

District upgraded and expanded

access. Using the NComputing X300,

they economically extended

each computer to accomodate

four or seven users at a fraction

of the cost.

RESULTS

The Fremont County deployment

allowed the district to keep all

of its computer labs up to date

and add at least three computers in

every classroom. The X300 also saves

the district money on maintenance

and electricity and requires fewer

computers to be replaced each year.

South Fremont High is one of nine schools in the district.

Case studyEducation

A recommendation from a colleagueWhile attending a regional technology meeting, Smith heard about the NComputing solution from a colleague at another school. Based on the endorsement of his colleague and intrigued by its potential, he ordered an NComputing X300 kit for evaluation, with the promise that if he was not satisfied, he could return it for a refund.

Smith deployed it in one of the school computer labs. The X300 allowed Smith to harness the unused power of his PCs by efficiently sharing them among multiple students. Soon after the first evaluation, Smith ordered more X300s and began reallocating his PCs to be shared in the classrooms so more students would have access to modern computing resources.

By using the X300, Smith lowered his per-seat computing cost, allowing him to put more seats in each classroom. The X300 system also relieved any concerns about overloading electrical circuits in the classrooms, since it uses far less electricity than a standard PC.

A definite recommendation“We were able to deploy more than 200 computers at a fraction of the cost and that allowed us to go into every elementary school in our district and upgrade every classroom. Now we’ve got at least three more computers in every classroom that’s an up-to-date workstation,” said Smith.

“The installation was really slick,” continued Smith. “It was a matter of plugging in a PCI card in the computer, then plugging in a keyboard, mouse, and monitor at each station. Then we installed the software, and a few clicks later, we were up and running.”

In addition to reducing his acquisition costs, Smith and his staff have reduced the amount of time spent on maintaining computers and deploying software.

Another benefit that no one expected was making it easier for students to adhere to the district’s technology acceptable-use policy, specifically the part which states that a student will “…not load any program onto any computer without the permission of the teacher or a network administrator.” Because most students don’t have direct access to the shared PC, it is difficult for students to load software without the teacher’s approval.

Is Smith happy with the overall results?

“We will definitely buy more in the future, and I would definitely recommend NComputing products to other school districts,” he concluded. “It’s a great way to get quality workstations to more students at a low price.”

“With our budgetit would have taken

us years to replace close to the 240 computers

we needed across the district.”

TrACY SmITh, DIrECTor oF TEChNoLogY For

FrEmoNT JoINT CoUNTY SChooL DISTrICT

www.ncomputing.com


change without notice. Depending on the host computers’ configuration, application performance may vary.

CS EDU FrEmoNT US EN rEV6 060608

One NComputing X300 kit allows 4 students to share 1 PC.

Case studyEducation

Republic of Macedonia first nation to provide a computer for every studentOnce considered the least developed of the former Yugoslavian republics, Macedonia is leaping into the 21st century. Thanks to low-cost virtual desktop technology from NComputing, Macedonia is the first country ever to provide 1:1 computing (one computer per student) to its entire public school population.

Toward a knowledge-based economy Computers are taking a leading role in education. The Macedonian govern-ment wants to create a knowledge-based economy and is undertaking a series of bold steps to make that happen. A key step is to give every student in the nation (all 360,000 of them) access to a computer. “The Computer for Every Student” initiative is the largest and the most important education undertaking in the 15-year history of the Republic of Macedonia,” said Ivo Ivanovski, the country’s Minister for the Information Society, who is driving the project. The program will have a profound effect on how lessons are taught. All science, math, biology, and chemistry classes will include some online component, according to Ivanovski.

SITUATION

Half of Macedonia’s 360,000 public

school students attend school in a

morning session, and the other half

in an afternoon session. The chal-

lenge is to deliver one computer per

child to all of the nation’s primary

and secondary students for less

than US $200 per seat.

SOLUTION

160,000 NComputing X300 access

devices, connected to 20,000

desktop PCs running

NComputing virtualization

software, deliver 180,000 student

seats.

RESULTS

A two-year rollout across 430

schools. The NComputing X300

enables seven users to access to a

single computer simultaneously.

Long-term maintenance costs are a

fraction of what they would be if

the country had purchased

individual laptops for every child.

Macedonia is the first country ever to provide 1:1 computing for an entire school population.

Case studyEducation

Laptops are too expensiveBut how to make it a reality? Like many developing nations, Macedonia has limited funds and infrastructure. If the cost of the program came in too high or required too complex an implementation, it wasn’t going to happen. The country began its search with low-cost educational laptops. But at $175 per laptop, the price came out to a whopping $63 million. And it didn’t stop there. The school system would need an additional 20,000 laptops each year for newly enrolled students, not to mention replacing those computers that get damaged, lost, or stolen. Finally, the costs for providing ongoing maintenance and support for so many individual laptops drove Macedonia to look for a more affordable option. They chose the NComputing X300. The X300 uses regular PCs and inexpensive virtual desktops, and are a fraction of the cost of providing a laptop to every child.

Choosing LinuxTwo NComputing X300 kits enable seven students to use a single PC simulta-neously. An X300 kit includes a PCI card and three small access devices (one per student) that connect to the PCI card via a standard CAT5 cable. Each device has ports for connecting a monitor, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. A seventh user works directly on the shared PC. NComputing supports Windows and Linux, and Macedonia is running Ubuntu Linux, a free operating system, on their shared PCs. In addition, each computer is installed with OpenOffice, Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird, Evo-lution, and Wine. The entire rollout will include 160,000 access devices and 20,000 NComputing-enabled PCs. The logistics are massive. Fortunately, virtual desktops, which make up a vast majority of the seats, install in minutes. And the solution itself requires little training. Typically, a staff teacher with some PC experience can learn the system in a few hours. The NComputing X300 offers significant cost advantages over individual PCs. It requires 95% less electricity to run and greatly reduces maintenance and replacement costs. And with NComputing, only 20,000 computers will need to be upgraded five years down the road. With the help of NComputing, computer access will be a part of everyday life for a growing generation of Macedonian children. And the country will meet its goal of having an entire workforce educated in using information and communication technology in the next five years.

“NComputing offers significant cost

advantages over individual PCs. It requires 95% less

electricity to run and greatly reduces maintenance and

replacement costs.”

IVO IVANOVSKI -

MINISTER FOR THE INFORMATION SOCIETY

www.ncomputing.com


change without notice. Depending on the host computers configuration, application performance may vary.

CS EDU MACEDONIA US EN REV3 052908

Computers will be a part of everyday life for Macedonian children.

Case studyEducation

North Carolina schools expand computer access despite limited budgets

In North Carolina, over 25 school districts have found a way to stretch their IT dollars while placing more students in front of computer screens. The districts purchased NComputing desktop virtualization solutions that enable four to seven students to access a single PC simultaneously. The results add up to big savings, newer PCs, and happier kids.

Never enoughComputers are more important than ever before in education as students depend on them for a wide variety of school work—everything from developing basic technology skills, to researching and writing, to using specific education programs for learning. The current challenge for schools is increasing computer access

for students. Yet many schools have to keep within the constraints of a tight IT budget. Insufficient funds usually means schools have to hang on to old computers beyond the normal four-to-five year replacement period, and that leads to a host of other problems, such as higher maintenance costs, frequent crashes, and not always being able to run the latest version of their educational software—a frustrating scenario for IT directors, who want more but have to work with less.

With over a dozen schools, McDowell County Schools in Marion, North Carolina represents a typical scenario.

“One of our top priorities is to engage, prepare, and educate students on using technology,” says Barry Pace, director of technology at McDowell. “But limited state and local budgets were making it a challenge to keep our PC labs up to date. We were forced to maintain six-to-nine year life cycles on the computers.” Like many school districts in North Carolina, McDowell County needed an affordable solution that would give students more access to better computers.

A virtual computing solutionMcDowell School District’s Pace and his counterparts in 25 other North Carolina school districts found their answer in the NComputing X300, a virtual desktop solution that enables four to seven students—depending on whether they use one or two X300 kits in each PC—to benefit from a single shared personal computer.

SITUATION

Working under tight budget

constraints, school districts

throughout North Carolina needed

an affordable solution to upgrad-

ing old computers and adding more

computer access.

SOLUTION

Thanks to the NComputing X300,

over 25 school districts throughout

North Carolina now benefit from

a total of more than 10,000

additional computer seats.

Because the X300 enables four to

seven users to share a single PC,

the districts saved a substantial

amount of money over having

to buy individual PCs.

RESULTS

With fewer computers to buy,

North Carolina school systems

can now afford to upgrade their

computers more often. The

environmentally-friendly X300

also saves schools money on

maintenance and electricity and

requires fewer computers to be

replaced each year.

Computer lab powered by NComputing in the McDowell School District.

Case studyEducation

Each X300 kit includes virtualization software, a PCI card, and three access devices. The card, which plugs into a standard PCI slot in the shared computer, has three RJ-45 ports that connect via standard network cables (which also supply power) to the access devices. Standard peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, and headphone, hook up to each access device to create a separate workstation. The cost of the NComputing X300 comes out to as little as $70 for each added user.

“We piloted our first X300 in a junior high science classroom and determined that the X300 was certainly capable of supporting four students on a single 3.2 GHz desktop with 1GB of memory in any classroom in our school,” says Pace.

Although up to seven students can work on a single host, according to McDowell’s network engineer Kelly Combes, schools deploying NComputing should pilot their specific usage environment to determine the best ratio of users per PC. “We have some environments where seven users per PC works well and others that work better with four users—either way, the cost savings are substantial,” says Combes.

Benefits extend well beyond the initial dollar savings. The NComputing devices are also easier to maintain and use less electricity than individual PCs—just 1 watt for each X300 user versus a typical 115 watts per PC. Electricity savings alone can pay for the cost of each seat in just one year.

Perhaps best for the future is that the NComputing solution will keep paying off for years. Because the total number of PCs is limited, the number that have to be replaced every three to five years is much lower. And because NComputing access devices almost never break, maintenance costs are much lower.

Virtual computers - real successThe McDowell County district alone has benefited from an additional 1,000 seats of computer access by deploying 350 NComputing X300 kits on over 300 PCs. McDowell has installed the systems mainly in elementary classrooms in 11 of its 12 schools.

Use of the new system has caught on. Over 25 school districts in North Carolina have used NComputing systems to deploy over 10,000 computer seats in hundreds of schools. The growing popularity of the system comes as a result of district IT managers sharing their experiences with their counterparts in other school districts.

What do districts do with all the money they save? They usually buy more seats to advance their goal of increasing PC-to-student ratios. Students are excited about having access to newer technology, and IT managers are thrilled with the X300’s efficiency, ease of use, compatibility with standard software, and overall lower maintenance requirements. What’s more, principals, administrators, and taxpayers are pleased to see their limited budgets stretching so much further.

“I was blown away when I saw NComputing’s X300 in action,” says Dr. Louis Johnson of the Rockingham school district in North Carolina. “Now my students no longer have to wait in line to use a computer.”

“One of our toppriorities is to engage, prepare, and educate

students on using technology, but limited state and local budgets

were making it a challenge to keep our

PC labs up to date.”

BARRY PACE, DIRECTOR Of TECHNOLOGY AT MCDOWELL COUNTY SCHOOLS

www.ncomputing.com


change without notice. Depending on the host computers’ configuration, application performance may vary.

CS EDU MCDOWELLNC US EN REV3 052908

Students use a variety of multimedia applications.

Case studyEducation

Medicine Hat schools handle tight spaces and tight budgetsSchools often have to find creative ways to squeeze more out of less. Medicine Hat, a school district in Alberta, Canada that includes 18 schools and 6,600 students, needed to do two things: upgrade its aging fleet of computers and increase computer access in the classroom. But it was running aground on both budget and physical desk space.

Old computersTypical of many schools, Medicine Hat had to work within the constraints of a limited IT budget. As a result, it was holding onto many of its computers past the typical five-year replacement period. Some of the district’s comput-ers were seriously outdated.

“They were massively slow beyond the point of being effective,” says Richard Potter, administrator of information technology at Medicine Hat.

Old age caused other problems as well. The legacy systems needed extra maintenance and support to keep them ticking, and new software didn’t always run properly on them. But an even bigger problem for teachers was that students tended

to get distracted and start talking in class while the older computers took their time processing commands.

Space was another issue for the growing Medicine Hat district. In order to make room for more students, the district was dismantling many of its old computer labs and turning them into classrooms. The labs originally housed 30 computers each. Additional computer access needed to go into classrooms, but where? PCs took up too much desk space. The district needed a solution that was cost- effective and space-efficient.

New solutionNComputing answered Medicine Hat’s budget and space woes. Using the NComputing X300 virtual desktop solution, Medicine Hat extended the power of a single PC to four users.

Each X300 kit includes a PCI card and three access devices. The devices—which are about half the size of a small book—include hookups for standard peripherals, such as keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, and headphone. The devices connect to the shared PC via a standard network cable, which also supplies power, resulting in fewer cables and less mess.

SITUATION

The Medicine Hat school district

wanted to upgrade its aging

computers. At the same time,

it also needed to find a way

to fit more computers into a

classroom.

SOLUTION

The district installed 740

NComputing X300 kits, creating

3,000 new seats throughout the

district. The X300 devices took up

much less space than regular PCs,

making it easier to fit more of them

into a classroom.

RESULTS

Medicine Hat has found an

affordable, reliable way to

squeeze more computer access

in a classroom. Thanks to

NComputing virtual desktop

technology, the district can

upgrade computers sooner.

Also, maintenance costs are

reduced, and with fewer cables,

computers are easier to shut down

during summer months.

NComputing’s solution increases access in classrooms.

Case studyEducation

Three students work on the virtual workstations, and a fourth sits at the shared PC. Like all NComputing products, the X300 works with standard PC applications and the added users have simultaneous access to the same programs.

Before installing the X300 in its schools, Medicine Hat ran extensive tests using Intel Core Duo computers with 1.5 GB of RAM. Results showed that a single user only consumed 3-12% of the computer’s processing power. Even with four users, the computer was still running at a mere 32-48% of its capabilities.

“The tests demonstrated that our main computers had plenty of additional processing power to support the extra users,” says Sai Wong, network technician at Medicine Hat. “We immediately went ahead and started implementing NComputing into our schools.”

Medicine Hat began in two of its high school computer labs. Feedback from the staff was excellent, and technicians—who normally had to support 30 or more individual computers in a lab—now only had to support 4 or 5. It was a win-win situation. Then Medicine Hat installed the NComputing solution in classrooms.

Medicine Hat used flat-screen displays and built innovative custom desks to minimize the space needed. Teachers were offered shelf configuration options for single, double, or quad stations. Each configuration included a wiring molding and a box to hide computer wires and cables.

Spreading the benefitsMedicine Hat sees several advantages. “The new system consumes only a fraction of the energy of having four computers,” says Wong. “And when we upgrade one computer, four students benefit.”

The small footprint of the X300 access devices enables the NComputing solution to fit neatly into classrooms. “In previous configurations, we could only put three to four computers in a classroom. With NComputing, we fit eight computer access devices in K-3, four in K-6, and twelve in Grades 4-6,” says Potter. “And we have money left over, so we can easily afford to return to a four- to five-year replacement cycle on all of our computers.”

The access devices also require less maintenance and less support staff to keep them up and running. And the reduction in the number of power cables means that custodians don’t need to unplug as many when they close the schools down during the summer. NComputing also produces less electronic waste by reducing the number of computers the school has to replace each year.

Medicine Hat has made NComputing standard equipment throughout its district. The school system will deploy 3,000 seats in total, consisting of 740 PCs and 740 X300 kits.

“Once you find something that works, you simply stick with it,” says Potter. “And we’re sticking with NComputing.”

“Once you findsomething that works,

you simply stick with it. And we’re sticking with

NComputing.”

RICHARD POTTER, ADMINISTRATOR OF

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGy AT MEDICINE HAT

www.ncomputing.com



CS EDU MEDICINEHAT US EN REV4 052908

NComputing’s X300 at work.

Case studyHigher education

NComputing helps Palm Beach Community College overcome budget freeze When Florida adopted an open-door admissions policy, community college enrollment surged by more than 50,000 students in one year. Palm Beach Community College (PBCC), the state’s largest community college system, saw its own student population jump by 5% (to more than 45,000). At the same time, the state of Florida projected education budget cuts of 4% to 10%, forc-ing a freeze on major equipment purchases. With PCs now integral to higher education and office functions, PBCC faced a severe challenge in meeting de-mand for computing access for both its staff and growing student population.

Stretched budgets, strained staff“In recent years, the number of computers supported by our IT staff has grown from 2,000 to 4,800 on four campuses,” said Michael Merker, direc-tor of technology infrastructure for PBCC. “Our IT budget didn’t grow at the same pace, and our 12 IT staff members are increasingly stretched. We had a goal of replacing our computers every three years to stay current with tech-nology, but with $1.25 million in cuts planned for PBCC’s budget, we needed a new approach.”

PBCC had previously used a traditional desktop architecture of 1 PC per person. But setting up and supporting all of the computers was very time-consuming for IT staff.

CHALLENGE Meet growing demand for

computer access while cutting costs

and reducing IT maintenance and

support.

SOLUTION Deploy the NComputing L-series

across multiple campuses.

RESULTS PBCC cut hardware costs and

significanlty reduced deployment

and support costs.

Palm Beach Community College has installed NComputing across multiple campuses.

Case studyHigher Education

“We have 50 stations for computer-based testing in our nursing education testing center alone. With traditional PCs, setting up that many stations would have taken us a massive amount of time. NComputing showed us how its desktop virtualization solution could dramatically cut both our equipment costs and the time and effort we devote to desktop deployment and sup-port,” added Mr. Merker.

Substantial savings, simplified supportThe NComputing solution is based on the simple fact that today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast majority of applications only use a small fraction of the computer’s capacity. NComputing’s virtualization software and hardware tap this unused capacity so multiple students can share it simultaneously. That translates to four times the number of students having computer access for the same money.

NComputing virtualization software works with standard Windows and Linux computers, with each student’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse connected to the shared PC via a small and highly reliable NComputing access device. The device itself has no CPU, memory, or moving parts.

NComputing showed PBCC how deploying a ratio of six NComputing L230s to one PC (for a total of seven seats) would cut hardware costs by more than 40% and dramatically reduce support and maintenance costs.

Standardizing on NComputing“The NComputing devices were incredibly easy to set up,” said Mr. Merker. “Deployment took less than 15 minutes per station to set up both the hard-ware and the software in our nursing education testing center. With six NComputing devices to one PC, our school saved about $50,000 on that instal-lation alone. Better yet, installing a new test, application, or performing other maintenance takes us a fraction of the time it used to.”

PBCC has also reduced its carbon footprint and energy costs because NCom-puting access devices consume as little as 1 watt per user, versus 115 watts for a PC. Because the NComputing devices generate almost no heat, energy costs for air conditioning have also been cut.

“A cyber café using NComputing at our Lake Worth campus has been very well received,” Merker added. “Since USB memory sticks are now the standard for portable memory, the NComputing devices’ built-in USB port make them the perfect solution. We are standardizing on NComputing, and will deploy them to all areas where we have large concentrations of PCs used for office applications and Internet browsing. We’ll then deploy NComputing across all of our campuses. It’s a no brainer.”

“Deployment took less than 15 minutes per station

to set up both the hardware and the software in our nursing

education testing center. With six NComputing devices to one

PC, our school saved about $50,000 on that

installation alone.”

MICHAEL MErkEr DIrECTOr OF TECHNOLOgy INFrASTrUCTUrE

PALM BEACH COMMUNITy COLLEgE

www.ncomputing.com



CS EDU PBCC US EN rEV5 102108

NComputing access devices are easily mounted and secured.

Case studyEducation

Ramona Unified achieves e-learning goalsThe challenges seemed insurmountable. The Ramona Unified School District (California) computer labs’ aging PCs were unable to run innovative and costly e-learning software it had recently purchased, and they had too few of the outdated machines to allow the students time for effective learning.

Worse still, the heat generated by the old PCs and CRT monitors made the computer labs unbearably hot and noisy, and the lab’s crowded desktops had little room for papers, notes, and books. With a limited budget and IT staff, finding a cost-effective solution was daunting.

A wasted investment With 33 classrooms, a large library-media center, and a computer lab, Barnett Elementary School exemplified the Ramona district’s challenges. The com-puters in the school’s lab couldn’t run a new e-learning application that cost them more than $20,000, and there weren’t enough computers to meet the needs of the students. “We realized it would take us three years to save the money we needed just to buy the computers for the lab,” said Barnett princi-pal Shelagh Appleman. “And that meant our investment in the new software would be wasted.”

As with most schools, Ramona’s budget for purchasing new PCs was extremely limited, as was the size of the district’s IT staff, which would have to deploy any new machines and the applications they would run. “We had used re-furbished machines in the past, but we found that with their limited lifespan they weren’t cost-effective,” said Keith Wright, director of information and education services for the Ramona USD. “We also looked at a thin-client solu-tion but found the upfront costs for servers, hardware and network band-width was prohibitive.”

SITUATION

New software wouldn’t run on old

PCs; not enough money to buy new

ones.

SOLUTION

Install NComputing virtual desktop

solutions in the district’s labs and

classrooms to increase available

desktops while limiting impact to

budget and the IT support team.

RESULTS

Costs for deploying the new

computers are reduced by more

than half. Powerful new e-learning

applications run problem-free,

preserving the district’s significant

software investment. Noise, heat,

and space problems in the lab are

eliminated.

NComputing’s solution eliminated heat and noise in Barnett Elementary School’s computer lab, vastly improving the learning environment.

Case studyEducation

www.ncomputing.com



CS EDU RAMONA US EN REV6 072208

“We needed to find a solution that the district could afford, and that our IT team could deploy and support without being overwhelmed,” added Mr. Wright. “We also needed a flexible solution that would bring more PC desk-tops to our classrooms and computer learning pods. After testing an evalua-tion unit, we decided NComputing’s solution would help us meet all of those needs.”

Leverage existing computing capacity “NComputing was able to show us how we could take advantage of the com-puting power in desktop PCs,” said Mr. Wright. “They also showed us how we could dramatically cut the time it took our IT team to deploy and support our district’s computers.”

NComputing’s desktop virtualization software and hardware taps the unused capacity of today’s powerful PCs by simultaneously sharing it among multiple users, spreading out the cost of the PC, and typically providing four times the number of seats for the same money.

The NComputing virtualization software works with standard Windows and Linux PCs, and each user’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse connect to the shared PC through a small and highly reliable NComputing access device. The device itself has no CPU, memory or moving parts, so it’s easy to deploy and maintain. And the model Ramona chose gets its power through the network cable, reduc-ing cable clutter and the need to install extra power outlets.

NComputing made me a hero “The complete installation at Barnett Elementary took just one day. Before, it would have taken the better part of a week,” said Mr. Wright. “And the envi-ronment was immediately more pleasant for learning, with the heat and noise eliminated. Just as important, we were able to install the NComputing devices along with high-end Dell PCs, new flat screen monitors, keyboards and an optical mouse for less than half of what we spent when we last upgraded the lab.”

“NComputing made me a hero,” said principal Appleman. “Our new e-learn-ing software now works perfectly, preserving our $20,000 investment. And we have more computers available to our students than we ever thought we’d be able to afford. We literally would not have a lab today at our school if not for the NComputing technology.”

“NComputing has provided us with a fantastic solution. Rolling it out has been very easy, and we’ve experienced virtually no problems,” said Mr. Wright. “It has been a great investment for the district, and has made a huge impact on our ability to increase the number of computers in each of our schools. As a result of increased student access to our e-learning programs, we are seeing learning improvements throughout the district.”

“A fantastic solutionIt has been a great investment

for our district.”- KEITh WRIghT

DIRECTOR Of INfORMATION AND EDUCATION SERVICES

RAMONA UNIfIED SChOOL DISTRICT

Ramona Unified’s students can now take advantage of the new software.

Case studyEducation

South Africa’s Western Cape schools bridge the digital divide

Schools throughout the world are faced with new challenges as com-puter skills become increasingly important in the digital age. Afford-able access to computing technology has become a priority for many school administrators. South Africa’s Western Cape school system found that the NComputing solution is an effective way to give more students access to computing and thereby bridge the digital divide.

Donated computers are not a solution The Western Cape region of South Africa has over one million children in its K-12 school system. The region is economically poor and most of the schools cannot afford computing

technology. Without access to computers and associated curricula, the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) was concerned that its students would not be ready to join the digital economy. The WCED launched the ambitious Khanya Project to deploy PCs in the schools. Khanya’s goal is to take the digital age into the schools and lives of nearly one million students in 1,570 schools throughout the Western Cape.

The first stage of the project is to provide each school with at least one computer laboratory consisting of 20 to 40 PCs and peripherals that are networked and linked to the Internet. At the beginning of the Khanya Project, used PCs (donated) were deployed in the schools in an effort to save on deployment costs. However, the equipment was unreliable and difficult to maintain. In the Khanya annual report, the project director wrote:

“One of the early lessons learned is that refurbished (used) computers do not do justice to the project. Used computers have already reached a point where it is no longer cost-effective for an organization to maintain the equipment, and by giving such equipment to a poor school, where little technical expertise is available, one can expect break-downs, delays, and lack of funding to repair, all of which lead to disillusionment with the use of technology. The lesson that Khanya has learned is that one must give the best equipment possible to the poorest of the poor schools.”

SITUATION

The Western Cape Education

Department (WCED) wanted

to provide over one million

students in 1,500 schools

the tools to help bridge the

digital divide.

SOLUTION

The WCED adopted the ambitious

Khanya Project to provide each

school with a functional computer

lab. The NComputing X300 was

identified as the ideal solution for

computing access because of its

reliability and low costs.

RESULTS

The Khanya Project installed

the NComputing X300, which

allowed WCED to extend their

budget and leverage the excess

capacity of their existing

refurbished computers.

PARTNER

NComputing partner Yellow

Penguin, a distributor in South

Africa, helped the WCED identify

the X300 as the solution to help

accomplish its goals.

Saint Andrews school in Western Cape South Africa uses the X300.

Case studyEducation

So how can an ambitious project like Khanya install new computing gear on its relatively small budget and still meet its ambitious objective to bring computing to a million students? The Khanya Project turned to the NComputing X300 solution provided by Yellow Penguin, NComputing’s distributor in South Africa.

Sharing excess CPU powerNComputing harnesses the unused power of a PC to share it among multiple users and it does so at a fraction of the cost of individual PCs. In addition to better use of processing power and lower acquisition cost, this highly efficient solution requires less electricity and less space at each desktop (users connect through devices that are smaller than a paperback book). Best of all, the NComputing solution is simple to install and maintain, with far fewer PCs to manage and update. All of the components in the X300 system can be reused through multiple generations of PCs, saving time for IT administrators and saving money for school systems.

International recognitionThe Khanya Project concluded that the X300 solution is well suited to address the requirements of their computer laboratories and further stated:

“This technology can successfully be integrated into an existing Khanya laboratory providing an extension of the existing lab at a fraction of the cost. The X300 system delivers the same full functionality as the existing Khanya computers.”

Khanya noted the following features and functionality of the NComputing solution in their summary report:

1. Runs on Windows2. Cat5 cable connects to the stations and includes power3. Terminal boxes are small and can easily be secured4. Installs easily via a PCI card into the shared PC5. Lowers maintenance cost (smaller number of PCs)6. Reduces the risk of theft of PC components7. Requires less network cabling and electrical infrastructure

The report also stated that the “X300 model can thus be seen as a more cost effective way of providing schools with computer laboratories, while the performance can be compared to that of a normal client network.”

By deploying innovative and affordable solutions like those enabled by NComputing, Khanya has enriched the lives of students and educators throughout the Western Cape. In fact, Project Khanya has received numerous national and international awards such as the Standard Bank Public Sector Innova-tion award. They were also the only finalist for the prestigious Stockholm Chal-lenge Award from Africa. In addition, the National Department of Science and Technology recognized them as one of the top 100 IT-related organizations in South Africa.

“This technology can successfully be integrated into an existing Khanya laboratory providing an extension of the

existing lab at a fraction of the cost.”

KHANYA PROjECT SUmmARY REPORT

www.ncomputing.com



CS EDU WESTERCAPE US EN REV4 060408

An X300-powered computer lab in South Africa.

Case studyEducation

Winona makes the grade with state-mandated testsMost states are moving their mandated tests from paper-based to computer-based, but schools have too many students on too few PCs. Win-ona Area Public Schools faced this challenge. The majority of the 1,000 desk-top computers they were using were old and unable to run current versions of test software. The older lab computers were not capable of accessing the online testing websites. The district had no choice but to find a solution that would allow them to upgrade—but they had to do it with a very limited budget.

The situation was dire and compounded by inadequate technology funding from the state. A number of local tax hikes that would have provided fund-ing were defeated at the polls. The previous best method for dealing with these shortcomings was to continually repair aging machines and accept donated used machines.

The district looked desperately for a better solution. They looked at traditional thin clients and server-based computing, but balked at the high software and server prices.

CHALLENGE

Mandated state tests are

moving online, but schools don’t

have enough PCs to move students

through their labs fast enough.

SOLUTION

An innovative Minnesota district

used NComputing virtual desktops

to increase the number of seats

and solve the problem without any

extra funding.

RESULTS

The district IT staff passed the test

with an A+ by providing more com-

puting access while saving money

and increasing reliability.

Students now take state-mandated tests on NComputing virtual desktops.

Case studyEducation

www.ncomputing.com


change without notice. Depending on the host computers, configuration application performance may vary.

CS EDU WINONA US EN REV13 102208

Virtual desktops solve the problemsThe district finally found a solution, maximizing their investment in PCs with NComputing’s virtual desktop technology. The NComputing solution is based on a simple fact: today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast majority of ap-plications only use a small fraction of the computer’s capacity. NComputing’s virtualization software and hardware tap this unused capacity so that multiple users can simultaneously share it. Each user’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse connect to the shared PC through a small and very durable NComputing ac-cess device. The access device itself has no CPU, memory, or moving parts so it is rugged, durable, and easy to deploy and maintain.

NComputing enabled the district to finally deal with the limited and inconsistent technology funding that it had been struggling with for the past decade. Because the district now has fewer PCs to maintain, their technical support burden is reduced and they now make more efficient use of their technical support staff.

Top grades and extra creditIn addition to establishing wide-scale online state testing, the NComputing solution is helping the district reach their goals of:

• Cost effectiveness

• Reduced maintenance, repair, and support

• Hardware efficiency

• Compatible, acceptable, comfortable equipment

• Reduced energy use

• Simplified adaptability to change

• Reduced obsolescence

• Single consistent hardware & software platform

Kevin Flies, Director of Information Systems at Winona Area Public Schools says, “staff and students have not really noticed any difference between using this system and having individual PCs. The installation and setup is extremely simple and takes very little time.”

The district figures their cost per seat is 40% less than that of a traditional desktop lab. More importantly, it will yield a 70% savings when the next PC upgrade cycle comes around (they only have to purchase shared computers—not monitors, keyboards, mice, speakers, or access devices). The success of the state testing paved the way for upgrading student computer labs in eight more buildings. Best of all, even though the systems were purchased for state-mandated testing, they will engage students and enrich their learning experiences throughout the school year.

“The NComputingsolution significantly improved our efforts to accomplish our goals. It doesn’t require us to

buy multiple servers or expen-sive software. And it is easily adaptable and upgradeable,

while maintaining our invest-ments in staff development and

infrastructure.”

-KEVIN FlIES DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SySTEMS

winona aRea publiC SCHoolS

Winona schools are providing more access without extra funding.

Case studyGreen computing

British Columbia school goes greenWhen British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell launched his green initia-tive, a primary goal was the reduction of greenhouse–gas emissions by 33% from current levels by 2020. “This is about changing the way we think,” said Premier Campbell, whose plan includes a greater focus on conservation, with seven to nine million tons per year in CO2 emission reductions from electric power generation. He asked that businesses and government do their part wherever possible. Lindsay Park Elementary School in Rocky Mountain School District #6 took that request to heart.

Refurbished PCs don’t help Lindsay Park was already leading the way to a greener Canada with its rec-ognition as an Earth Award School by the Seeds Foundation for completing more than 1,000 environmental projects. Looking ahead, Lindsay Park faced another challenge common to schools today—find an environmentally sound way to upgrade the hardware in its computer lab with both a limited budget and IT staff. The school had tried refurbished computers, but found that they added just three years to the lab’s life expectancy, were expensive to maintain, and continued to draw significant amounts of electricity. “The 28 fans from the lab’s refurbished computers created a big noise prob-lem, while the heat that both the PCs and monitors generated forced us to retrofit air conditioning into the room,” said Dave Hlady, IT Specialist with Rocky Mountain School District #6. “There was no room on the desktops for the kid’s books or notes, it was uncomfortable and loud, and maintaining the

SITUATION

Cost-effectively upgrade Lindsay

Park Elementary School’s computer

lab while reducing the lab’s carbon

footprint.

SOLUTION

Install twenty-four NComputing

virtual desktop solutions and four

Energy Star® PCs in the lab to cre-

ate twenty-eight student stations,

while planting 100 trees to serve as

carbon offsets.

RESULTS

Lindsay Park is recognized as the

first school in Canada with a carbon

neutral computer lab. Noise and

heat problems in the lab are elimi-

nated. Equipment costs are cut by

40%, while electricity use and

emissions are reduced by 80%.

PARTNER

BlueCurl, a Langley, British

Columbia IT services provider, in-

stalled, and supported the project.

Lindsay Park School’s computer lab, the first in Canadian schools to achieve carbon-neutral status, is now quieter, cooler, and more conducive to learning.

Case studyGreen computing

older computers was costly. Combined with our continued high energy costs, we knew we had to find a better way.”

At that time BlueCurl—an IT services provider and NComputing partner— pre-sented the district with a solution that would meet both the computing needs of the students and the school’s environmental objectives.

Going green and saving green According to Mr. Hlady, “The lab’s refurbished computers cost more than $30,000. With 30 labs in our 20 schools, we knew we couldn’t afford to meet the future computing needs of our students, even without environmental considerations. NComputing and BlueCurl showed us that it was possible to cut our costs dramatically and achieve our environmental goals.”

“Initial costs for NComputing are about 40% less,” said BlueCurl CEO Chris Slattery. “But it really hinges on sustainability. When it’s time to replace, you don’t have to buy 28 new machines, just 4. It’s less to landfills, eliminating 85% of waste.”

Mr. Slattery also explained that today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast ma-jority of applications use only a small fraction of the computer’s capacity. He demonstrated how NComputing’s virtualization software and hardware would enable the district to tap this unused capacity so that multiple users could simul-taneously share it. Ultimately, BlueCurl showed how they could plant 100 trees as carbon offsets to make Lindsay Park the first school in Canada with a carbon neutral computer lab, while creating a blueprint for a green computing future in all of the district’s schools.

A great lesson “Setting up the new equipment turned out to be a huge time saver,” said Mr. Hlady. “It took just four hours to set up the entire computer lab. The old way would have taken us at least two days. And ongoing maintenance is easy because we only have to look after four machines in the lab, instead of twenty-eight. Best of all, it’s now a quiet place, with plenty of room for the kids’ books and papers on the desktop, and no need for us to run the air conditioning.”

BlueCurl estimates that the new computer lab uses 80% less electricity than a traditional lab, while reducing emissions by as much as 80%. “The kids had a great time planting the trees, while asking lots of questions about the new lab’s environmental impact, and how the tree plantings offset the lab’s carbon footprint,” said BlueCurl’s Greg Protti. “They were genuinely excited to learn that CO2 emissions were being reduced by as much as three and a half tons per year, and electricity use was cut by more than 5,000 kilowatt hours per year.” With the lab complete and the carbon offsets from the newly planted trees in place, Lindsay Park School was recognized as the first school in Canada with a carbon-neutral computer lab. “We now plan to roll out this approach to another elementary school in the district, and eventually system-wide,” said Mr. Hlady.

“It took just four hours to set up the entire

computer lab. And ongoing maintenance is easy because

we only have to look after four machines in the lab, instead of

twenty-eight.”DAVE HLADY,

IT SPECIALIST AT ROCkY MOUNTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT #6

www.ncomputing.com



CS GREEN LINDSAYPARk US EN REV4 052908

BlueCurl showed Lindsay Park School how to cut costs

Case studyEducation/Green computing

Turkish school system keeps it cool in the computer labsThe Kultur School system is a leading private school system in Turkey with about 2,000 students and 300 staff. The system includes five preschools, two primary schools, two high schools, and a science-focused high school. “Bring-ing computing technology into daily teaching and exposing the students to the broader world is a key mission of the schools,” says Mrs. Esra Ataç, chief of the school’s computer department. “Information and technology is moving extremely fast and we want our students to use computers to creatively find information and solve problems.”

PC labs too hot to handleKultur had two computer laboratories with 26 PCs in each. The 52 PCs required constant attention by the computer department for hardware maintenance, software issues, security, and virus problems. Each PC used more than 200 watts of electricity, so the laboratories were using over 10,000 watts combined. The PCs also generated a lot of heat, which required even more electricity for the air conditioning system to cool the laboratories. It was a vicious cycle of expensive electrical waste.

SITUATIONThe Kultur school system

maintained two computer

labs in their primary schools.

The labs overhead costs—which

included software and hardware

upgrades, and over 10,000 watts of

electricity—were too much for the

school system to maintain.

SOLUTIONThe NComputing L-series allowed

Kultur to cut their costs by dramati-

cally reducing energy consumption

and maintenance costs, while also

allowing them to expand access

across all their schools.

RESULTSThe Kultur school system

experienced immediate cost

savings by installing the

NComputing L-series solution.

The solution worked so well that

Kultur was able to expand

computing access outside of the

labs to the libraries, classrooms, and

administrative offices.

PARTNERNComputing partner Dojop,

a distributor in Turkey, was

instrumental in providing and

implementing the L-series in

the Kultur school system.

NComputing L-series in a Kultur school classroom.

Case studyEducation/Green computing

NComputing to the rescueKultur’s Technology Committee researched alternative solutions and learned about NComputing, which is distributed in Turkey by Dojop Teknologi. NComputing harnesses the unused power of a PC to share it among multiple users at a fraction of the cost of individual PCs. In addition, this highly efficient system requires less electricity, less space, and less time to setup and manage, making it ideal for educational institutions like Kultur. Since the benefits of NComputing were so clear, the L-series was deployed in both computer laboratories.

A cool solutionKultur first installed the L-series in the primary school’s computer laboratories. Mrs. Ataç’s computer department realized several benefits of the NComputing solution. First, since the school did not have to buy 52 new PCs, there was a significant up-front cost savings. Second, the computer depart-ment staff spent much less time fixing hardware and software problems because there were fewer PCs to manage. Third, the school will only need to upgrade a few PCs instead of 52. Finally, the L-series only uses 5 watts of elec-tricity (vs. 200 watts for a PC) so it provides dramatic savings in electrical use and air conditioning costs.

The teachers like the NComputing solution because they can monitor, track and control the student sessions. “We use software to track the student’s screen and help them with their computer learning. Occasionally, we have a student wander off to an unsuitable website or play a video game and we can control that.” says the IT teacher, Mr. Tuncay Karaçelebiearch.

Kultur has been very pleased with the deployments and is deploying NComputing throughout the school. Kultur has also installed NComputing in the library, teacher room, and administrative offices.

“We were planningto upgrade the computers

in the laboratories and wanted to find a more

suitable system that was easier to manage and

a lot less expensive to maintain”

MrS. ESrA ATAC, ChIEF OF TEChNOLOGy, KuLTur SChOOL SySTEM

www.ncomputing.com



CS EDu KuLTur uS EN rEV3 052908

L-series (inset) is used in Kultur computer labs.

Case studyGovernment/non-profit emerging economies

Bangladesh non-profit provides job training for the handicapped Computer literacy and internet access is critical in emerging market econo-mies. It provides access to fair crop prices and agricultural best practices. It is also the only way to prepare the next generation of workers for higher paying jobs. The need is just as acute—if not more so—for the disabled. Salvation for the Deserving (SFD) provides disability and poverty alleviation assistance in Bangladesh. The charity was founded by Nasir Sinha, who was himself born with a disability.

As a focal point of assistance, the SFD community center in the village of Singair Union provides healthcare, education, and vocational training services to help disabled people in the community earn their livelihood and become self-reliant.

Vital skills; serious challengesComputing skills provide disabled and poor villagers with better job and economic opportunities. SFD wanted to set up a computer literacy training program in its community center and a way to provide better information access for the local community. The solution had to be low-cost and easy to maintain. Because the area experiences frequent power outages, an uninter-ruptible power supply (UPS) was also required. A room full of PCs would need a large and expensive UPS, which was not affordable. So the solution for SFD could not consume much electricity. Providing internet access in the rural areas of the country can also be quite challenging.

CHALLENGE

Salvation for the Deserving (SFD) is

a charity based in Bangladesh that

provides health services, education,

and vocational training for disabled

people in rural areas. Teaching

computer literacy to enable

disabled people to get jobs is an

important part of the program.

SFD needed a low-cost, easy-to-

maintain computing system in its

community center.

SOLUTION

The NComputing X-series enabled

SFD to share a single PC with

multiple simultaneous trainees at

minimal cost.

RESULTS

Disabled students graduate

with computer literacy certificates.

The environmentally-friendly

X-series requires almost no

maintenance or electricity, making

it an ideal solution in developing

countries.

PARTNER

AMD contributed the computers

for the solution, while leading NGO

bracNet provided internet access.

SFD’s computer training center.

Case studyGovernment/non-profit emerging economies

Creativity and charitySFD solved all of their problems with a combination of creativity and charity. AMD, a leading processor company, donated the computing equipment. The center needed more training stations, so they multiplied the power of the donated PCs with NComputing X-series virtual desktop kits.

The NComputing solution is based on a simple fact: today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast majority of applications only use a small fraction of the computer’s capacity. NComputing’s virtualization software and hardware tap this unused capacity so that it can be simultaneously shared by multiple users. Each user’s monitor, keyboard, and mouse connect to the shared computer through a small and very durable NComputing access device. The access device itself has no CPU, memory, or moving parts so it is rugged, durable, and easy to deploy and maintain. A single NComputing X550 kit allows 6 users to simultaneously access a shared computer. An additional kit can be installed for a total of 11 users shar-ing a single PC. This solution not only saves money, but saves space and power as well. Just one small UPS protects all of the users from brownouts. bracNet, a local NGO and internet service provider, donated internet access. A single modem that connects to the shared PC can be used simultaneously by all users. This eliminates the need to set up a local network—greatly simplifying the installation and maintenance of the facility.

Beneficial for the whole communityThe training program teaches basic computer use as well as Microsoft Office and internet skills. At the completion of a 4-week class, students receive a certificate of completion that will help them find administrative jobs that require computer knowledge. Thus empowered, they proceed to use computers to improve their own—and their village’s—economic conditions.

The local community benefits from the additional computer access as well. Villagers now have email access, which they use to connect with relatives living around the world, as well as with doctors who provide remote medical services. Farmers now have internet access to research the latest agricultural technologies and modern farming methods to further improve the value of their crops.

SFD will install additional PCs combined with NComputing X-series virtual desktops to meet the increasing need for computing access for the students and in the community. And the success goes beyond the individual and the community: the Singair Union computer lab is a model of success for expansion into every district in the country.

“Favorable conditionsand willpower enables

a person to reach at the peak of success.”

NASIr SINhA SFD FOUNDEr & ChAIrMAN

www.ncomputing.com

©Copyright 2003 2008. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. Other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to change without

notice. Depending on the host computer’s configuration application performance may vary.

CS NP SFD US EN rEV9 121808

Disabled adults learn on NComputing virtual desktops.

Case studyPublic access

Global conference on Iraq stays connectedWhen officials from Middle Eastern countries came together for the second annual Neighboring Countries of Iraq Foreign Ministers meeting, conference organizers had to work fast to come up with a cost-effective way to provide convenient, reliable computer access throughout the convention hall.

High stakes The multi-national conference, which took place at the Ciragan Palas Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul, Turkey, was a meeting ground for leading officials and delegates of the countries that surround Iraq. Among the prominent attendees were repre-sentatives of Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Syria as well as members of the United Nations Security Council, and representatives from the United States, France, England, China, and Russia. Delegates convened to share critical viewpoints on current developments in Iraq and to discuss ways to control Iraq’s borders, reduce violence, and help stabilize the country.

Constantly on the move throughout the convention area, delegates and over 400 members of the press needed computer access for writing articles, putting finish-ing touches on presentations, and corresponding with each other and their home offices.

Conference organizers scrambled to find a quick, easy, and efficient way to place computer access points in the press center, lobby, and main operations area of the conference. The network had to be assembled and dismantled in a matter of days. Organizers considered individual laptops and PCs, but realized they would be too costly, as well as a hassle to set up and maintain for a temporary venue. With so many important people converging in one place, organizers needed a solution that was not only affordable, but reliable and secure.

SITUATIONWhen delegates from Iraq and surrounding countries came togeth-er for a high-profile multinational meeting, conference organizers needed to provide reliable and se-cure computer access to attendees and 400 members of the media.

SOLUTIONThanks to the NComputing L230, the conference organizers were able to quickly and efficiently assembly 60 computer access stations throughout the main areas of the event, using only one server and two shared PCs.

RESULTSThe NComputing solution was extremely easy to set up and take down. It provided secure and reliable computer access during the event—at a fraction of the cost of individual PCs. The solution also used less electricity and required less IT support.

PARTNERNComputing partner Dojop Technologies in Istanbul, Turkey provided the computing equipment and handled the complete NComputing setup.

Delegates at the Iraq Foreign Ministers Confernce.


Quick and easy The perfect solution presented itself in the NComputing L230, which works on the principle that computers today are so powerful that they use only a fraction of their capacity. The L230 taps this unused power and makes it available to multiple users. NComputing desktop virtualization software and L230 access devices reduce the acquisition, integration, maintenance, and energy costs of com-puting. With the L230, up to 30 users can connect to a single shared PC running typical office productivity applications. Each user still has their own monitor, keyboard and mouse. However, instead of connecting directly to a PC, these peripherals connect to a small NComputing access device. The access devices use sophisticated virtualization software and a powerful communications protocol to connect over Ethernet to the shared computer. The solution delivers excellent performance as if the users were sitting in front their own dedicated PCs. The L230 access devices also provide a USB port, which jour-nalists at the event used to upload digital photos to send with their stories. Conference organizers hired NComputing partner Dojop Technologies to supply and set up all of the computers and L230 workstations. Istanbul-based Dojop installed one main computer in the press area connected to 30 access devices. In the operations center, they used two PCs supporting 20 users, and in the lobby, one PC supporting 10 workstations. The entire setup was ready to use when conference attendees arrived.

Flawless performance“This would have been a major headache to pull off using individual PCs,” says Mustafa Canoglu, president of Dojop. “In order for us to setup and maintain individual computers, we would have needed several more workers and it would have cost the client a lot more money. NComputing is the best possible solution for this type of venue because it is so economical and easy to use.”

In just one day, Dojop technicians were able to set up 60 computer access points throughout the convention center—a fraction of the time it would have taken them to set up 60 individual PCs. The system proved itself to be highly reliable and worked continually without a problem through the entire event. The ultra-small access devices also fit conveniently on the long rectangular desks at the confer-ence. In contrast, individual PCs would have been large, bulky, noisy, and hot.

The solution saved money in other ways too. The highly energy-efficient NComputing devices have very low power requirements—about 5 watts per user—compared to 115 watts for a typical PC. And because the entire 60-seat setup required only three computers, support costs were next to nothing. The solid-state NComputing devices themselves require little or no maintenance.

“This was a world event,” says Canoglu. “It had to be flawless and it was. Thanks to NComputing, we were able to get everything prepared quickly. Dismantling was equally as easy. NComputing was the perfect solution, and the customer was very pleased. By using NComputing solutions, we were able to lower the total IT costs of the event by 80 percent and still provide users with full computer access.”

“This would have been a major headache

to pull off using individual PCs.

NComputing is the best solution for this

type of venue.”

MUSTAFA CANOgLU, PRESIDENT OF DOjOP TECHNOLOgIES

www.ncomputing.com



CS PA IRAQ US EN REV3 052908

Monitor mounted L230 devices in use.


The World Trade Organization trades up to NComputingThe World Trade Organization (WTO) is a non-profit international organiza-tion responsible for the global rules of trade between nations. Its 149 member countries account for 97% of global trade. The WTO’s mission is to ensure that international trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as pos-sible throughout the world. As part of this mission, the WTO hosts an annual conference with 11,000 delegates. The conference has global economic and political implications and impacts the lives of nearly every person in the world.

Demanding delegates The Sixth Annual Ministerial Conference was to be held at the massive Hong Kong Convention Centre—one of the largest conference facilities in the world. The delegates and organizers needed easy access to computing resources to make presentations, access the Internet, interact with fellow delegates, and communicate with their home countries. Since the delegates were constantly on the move, computer access points were required through-out the convention centre, including conference rooms, hallways, cyber cafes, and meeting rooms. To meet these requirements, the computing solution needed to be:

•Cost-effective •Highlyreliableandsecure •Easytosetupanddismantle •Environmentallyfriendly •CompatiblewithPCsoftwareandtheInternet

SITUATION

The WTO hosted 11,000 delegates

at its annual conference. Finding a

way to provide reliable computing

access to the participants in one

of the worlds’ largest convention

centers at a reasonable price and

within the paramaters of the

organization was challenging.

SOLUTION

NComputing’s L-series solution was

chosen by the WTO to provide 500

computing access stations across the

convention center; located in press

center, delegate center, cyber cafe,

NGO center, and lounges.

RESULTS

The L-series access devices were

cost effective, highly reliable, and

easy to install and maintain. The

delegates were pleased with the

performance of the L-series and the

conference used 80% less energy

than it would have with standard

computers.

Partner

Targa, NComputing’s reseller

partner, was instrumental in the

successful implementation of the

L-series access devices at the WTO.

World Trade Organization press center powered by NComputing.


Notebooks and desktop PCs were considered, but were found to be too expensive and space-inefficient while requiring too much time to set up and dismantle.

A workable solution The WTO deployed NComputing technology to meet the challenge. NComputing is the world leader in efficiently harnessing the power of a desktop PC so that up to 30 people can use a single PC at the same time. Normally, with only one user on a PC, the processor’s average utilization is less than 5%. In public access applications, many PCs sit idle much of the time. NComputing harnesses the unused power of a PC to share it among multiple users and it does so at a fraction of the cost of individual PCs. In addition, this highly efficient system requires less electricity, less space, and less time to set up and manage, making it ideal for the WTO’s conference needs. The WTO retained NComputing reseller partner Targa Hong Kong, Ltd. to de-ploy over 500 NComputing L-series throughout the convention centre, including the press centre, delegate centre, cyber café, NGO centre, and lounges.

It looked easyThe NComputing solution was a perfect fit for the demanding needs of the conference. Over 500 seats were installed in a fraction of the time that it would have taken to install 500 desktop PCs. The solution worked flawlessly throughout the conference. The delegates, the conference centre, and the support team were pleased with the simplicity and effectiveness of the solution. The delegates appreciated the simplicity and performance of the solution. “The computing platform is efficient and user-friendly. The performance is excellent and there is no difference compared to a PC,” said a delegate from Uganda. Other delegates appreciated that the small size of the device meant there was more work space for their documents and belongings. The conference centre benefited from the access device’s electrical efficiency. Eachterminalused5wattsofelectricity,comparedtoover110wattsforatypical PC. This meant a 95% reduction in electrical usage at over 500 access points in the conference. The Targa team appreciated the ease of deployment and overall project efficiency enabled by the solution. “The NComputing solution performed brilliantly,” said Mr. Charles Kwan, General Manager of Targa and team leader of the project, “By using NComputing, we lowered the computer costs for the WTO by 80%, while providing the delegates with full computing access. The efficiency of the solution made the delivery of exceptional services look easy.”

“The major criteriawere hardware and software

reliability, ease of use, maintenance and security.

NComputing passed all tests and proved to be the

best solution,”

WTOITPrOjECTlEadEr

www.ncomputing.com


changewithoutnotice.dependingonthehostcomputersconfigurationapplicationperformancemayvary.

CSPaWTOUSENrEV3052908

WTO delegate center.

WINNER

100

N. A

MERICA

REDHERRING

[email protected]

Deep Freeze and NComputing

NComputing Shares System Resources

The NComputing solution is based on a simple fact: today’s PCs are so powerful that only a small fraction of their computing capacity is required for the vast majority of applications. NComputing taps this unused capacity by enabling up to 30 simultaneous users to run their own applications from a shared PC at a cost as low as $70 per additional user.

Deep Freeze Delivers Absolute System Integrity

Deep Freeze Server’s ability to make computer configurations indestructible is a perfect way to secure your NComputing solutions. Once Deep Freeze Server is installed, any changes made in any of the user sessions—regardless of whether they are accidental or malicious—are never permanent. Deep Freeze Server provides immediate immunity from many of the problems that plague computers today—accidental system misconfiguration, malicious software activity, and incidental system degradation.

Deep Freeze Server enables users to enjoy a pristine and unrestricted computing experience, while IT personnel are freed from tedious helpdesk requests.

Deep Freeze Server Bulletproofs NComputing Environments

Organizations often turn to thin client solutions when trying to reduce the number of workstations that are deployed and require maintenance. However, a major problem with thin client solutions is their reliance on expensive server technology and endpoint devices that are ultimately unable to deliver a rich computing experience.

Combining Deep Freeze Server and NComputing solutions creates an endpoint experience that delivers the best of workstation and thin client technology.

Lowers IT Complexity and Costs

By using standard PCs as servers and lowering the number of workstations deployed, the IT support and expertise required to keep systems running are greatly reduced. Up to 30 NComputing endpoints could rely on a single NComputing server, which is why Deep Freeze’s ability to ensure servers run trouble-free at all times is so invaluable.

Provides Fully Functional User Experiences

Unlike most thin client solutions, NComputing environments provide users with a rich and powerful computing experience. Layering Deep Freeze on top of an NComputing solution provides user sessions with total system resiliency in an unrestricted, fully functional computing environment.

Balances Security with User Needs

By mapping user and application data to a Thawed (unprotected) partition or drive, users are able to store their documents, pictures, music, etc., while still enjoying the total system resiliency that Deep Freeze Server offers.

Reduces Energy Consumption

Reducing the number of workstations deployed also lowers energy consumption and technology costs—all of which go towards making a combined Deep Freeze and NComputing environment an extremely cost effective solution.

Datasheetl130 & l230

l-series virtual desktopsToday’s PCs are like supercomputers Most PC users only use a small fraction—as low as 5%—of the power of their machines. NComputing takes the excess capacity and allows up to 30 users to each enjoy their own rich PC experience. They feel like they have their own PC, but at a fraction of the cost and without all of the maintenance headaches.

Dramatically reduce your computing costs The L-series costs less than half the price of entry-level PCs. And the ongoing savings are even higher. With no moving parts or local storage, repairs are rare and your maintenance costs are kept in check because you only have to maintain and upgrade the shared PCs—not the L-series. In fact, whenever you refresh to the latest PC technology, your L-series users will automatically enjoy the increased performance. Going green? Compare the 5 watts of power consumed by the L-series to the 115 watts or more in a typical PC. The small L-series access device (about half the size of a paperback book) consumes less power, generates less heat, produces less e-waste, and makes no noise.

Easy to install, simple to manage Plug in your Ethernet cable, mouse, keyboard, and monitor. Install the included vSpace desktop virtualization software on the shared PC. It just takes a few minutes. You now have added multiple users, each with their own rich Windows or Linux environment. Best of all, you can run standard applications and your staff and users won’t need any special training.

Powerful and flexible The L130 features a compact design, a stereo jack, and 16-bit widescreen vid-eo support. The L230 has all of that, plus a USB flash drive port, a microphone jack, and 24-bit video support. Both support 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, 1280x1024, and 1440x900 video modes.

Key features & benefits• ShareonePCwithuptothirty

users

• Slashacquisitionandsupportcostsupto70%

• Easytosetup,maintain,andsecure

• Compact,reliable,andenergy-efficient(nofansordisks,5wattsperuser)

• IncludespowerfulvSpace virtualizationsoftware

•Mounttoamonitorwith includedbracket

TheL-seriesisidealfor: •Factories•Offices•Taskworkers•Schools•Callcenters•Branches

Datasheetl130 & l230

Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Additional software licenses may be required by the software

licensors. Please check your software user license agreements to ensure your continued compliance with such agreements.

www.ncomputing.com

©Copyright 2003-2008. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. Other trade-marks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to change without notice.

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L130&L230front

SPECIFICATIONS

Kit contents*

Each L-series kit includes an access device, power supply/cord, NComputing vSpace software CD/license, software installation & user’s guide, Quick Install Guide, monitor mounting bracket and LAN cable. PC, monitor, PS/2 keyboard, PS/2 mouse, speakers, and other peripherals are NOT included and must be purchased separately.

Max # users** 30 users per shared PC, plus one on the shared PC

User software NComputing vSpace desktop virtualization software with User eXtension Protocol (UXP)

Supported OS Microsoft Windows and Linux (refer to the support section of the NComputing Website for the latest supported versions)

Size Width: 115 mm / 4.5 inches, Height: 26 mm / 1 inch, Depth: 115 mm / 4.5 inches

Weight 154 g / 0.34 lbs, Shipping weight (includes power adapter, packaging, documentation, etc.): 0.77 kg / 1.7 lbs

Power supply Input: 100-250 VAC, 50-60 Hz, Output: 5 VDC, 2 A, Nominal consumption: 5 W

LED indicators Power: connection to power supply, LAN: network activity, Ready: device status

Connection to shared PC Via 100 Mb/s switched Ethernet connection

Audio out Stereo output via speaker port

Internal hardware All solid-state design. No moving parts, no fans, no local user storage. NComputing System-on-Chip with embedded NComputing operating firmware (no local user OS).

Reliability (MTBF) >100,000 hours (calculated using Bellcore Issue 6 TR-332, Case 2, Part I at 40°C)

Certifications FCC Class B, CE, MIC, NOM, GOST R and RoHS compliant (China RoHS (50))

Host PC configuration See Recommended Host Configuration Guide in the download section of the NComputing website

L230 HARDWARE L130 HARDWARE

Video resolution***

640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 (at 60 or 75 Hz refresh rate), 1280x1024 (~63 Hz) and 1440x900 (60Hz). All feature up to 16-bit or 24-bit color support.

640x480, 800x600, 1024x768 (at 60 or 75 Hz refresh rate), 1280x1024 (~63 Hz) and 1440x900 (60Hz). Up to 16-bit color support.

USB flash memory port

Supports USB 1.1 flash memory devices - requires Windows OS on host (USB function can be disabled for security in the administra-tion console)

No local USB port

Audio input Microphone port None

*Application software, client access, and OS licenses for the shared PC and L-series may be required by the respective software vendor and must be purchased separately. **The number of users an individual host will support depends upon the host system capabilities as well as the applications used and performance expectations for those applications. It is recommended that new customers test their application(s) before adding additional users. ***Does not support 3D games or full-screen home theater applications.

L230side

1–USB 2–Microphonejack 3–Speakerjack 4–PS/2keyboard 5–PS/2mouse

12345

L130side

1–Speakerjack 2–PS/2keyboard 3–PS/2mouse

123

L130&L230back

1–Ethernet 2–Monitor 3–5VDCIN 4–On/offswitch

1234

Connectupto30userstoasharedPCwiththeL-series

DatasheetvSpaceTM

vSpaceTM desktop virtualization software NComputing allows multiple users to share a single computer—all at the same time, and at revolutionary low costs. Right out of the box, a PC can be used by multiple users—but not all at the same time. That’s what NComputing vSpace software does. It allows the computer’s operating system and applications to be simultaneously shared. But how do multiple users each connect their screens and keyboards to the shared computer? That’s the role of the hardware (also known as access devices). And because we design the entire solution—the hard-ware, the software, and the communications protocol that connect the two—NComputing has the best performing and lowest cost virtual desktops in the world.

A breakthrough protocol NComputing created its own optimized and highly efficient User eXtension Protocol (UXP) in order to give users a full, rich PC experience. As a result, NComputing solutions give users the most responsive and interactive experience possible.

Flexible operating system support Our mission is to drive complexity and cost out of computing. If you want to do the same in your organization, you’ll be glad to know that vSpace supports multiple versions of Windows and Linux. And vSpace is compatible with operating system virtualization technology, giving you the flexibility to configure your environment to exactly meet your needs. Refer to our website for more information and for case studies on these various configurations.

Administration console vSpace includes an administration console. With the console, you can easily set up, configure, and manage shared computers and access devices. For the L-series access devices, the administration console allows an administrator to re-motely monitor and if necessary, control a user’s session. Access device settings can be configured centrally from the administrator console, including the ability to lock-out connection of USB devices. For the X-series, the vSpace console lets you assign host computer USB ports to individual users. Best of all, the vSpace console is easy to use and requires no special training.

Over a decade of development NComputing vSpace software has been developed and refined for over ten years. It is continually optimized to make the most efficient use of a PC’s re-sources. And it is proven every day with millions of users throughout the world.

Key featuresCreates multiple user •workspaces within a single OS

Extends each user workspace •to a remote NComputing access device

Communicates with access •devices via the User eXtension Protocol (UXP)

Highly optimized for best •performance

Supports multimedia •applications, such as video and Flash

Includes administration console•

Compatible with operating •system virtualization solutions

Supports Windows and Linux•

vSpace™ desktop virtualization software

DatasheetvSpaceTM

Linux® is the registered trademark of Linus Torvalds in the U.S. and other countries Windows® is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. Additional software licenses may be required by the software

licensors. Please check your software user license agreements to ensure your continued compliance with such agreements.

www.ncomputing.com

©Copyright 2003-2009. NComputing, Inc. All rights reserved. NComputing is the property of NComputing. Other trademarks and trade names are the property of their respective owners. Specifications subject to change without notice.

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Key features

Automatically distributes shared computer resources among multiple •independent user sessions

Developed specifically for NComputing access devices to deliver the •best possible performance at the lowest possible price

Communicates with access devices via NComputing’s own optimized •and highly efficient User eXtension Protocol (UXP)

Compatible with operating system virtualization solutions for both •1:1 and 1:many configurations

Includes administration console to manage access device settings, •sessions, and updates

Excellent multimedia support with synchronized audio & video •

Licensing*

A license is necessary to use NComputing vSpace software. One software license is included with each L-series access device, and that license entitles you to run a single virtualized desktop session connecting to the supplied NComputing access device. Each X-series kit includes a license to run three or five virtualized desktop sessions associated with the number of access devices included in the kit.

Administration console features

Shows information about active sessions•

Shows applications running, station names, user names, connection •status, IP address (L-series only)

Send message to a currently connected session•

View station and remotely control the mouse and keyboard (L-series •only)

Stop station for any current session•

Network broadcast of a message to any session on the same •network.

Supported operating systems

Microsoft Windows and several variants of Linux (refer to the support section of the website for versions supported)

Supported access devices

L-series (L130, L230)•

X-series (X350, X550)•

Software components

Core vSpace desktop virtualization software•

Internet registration utility•

Update utility•

Virtual Audio Driver •

Virtual Video Driver •

Virtual USB Driver (L230 only)•

*Application software, client access and operating system licenses for the shared PC and access devices may be required by the respective software vendor and must be purchased separately.

Documents

Un PC pour plusieurs