NComputing and Haier partner to provide low cost computing

By siliconindia   |   Saturday, 13 June 2009, 01:01 IST   |    1 Comments
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NComputing and Haier partner to provide low cost computing
Bangalore: NComputing, a desktop virtualization company has formed a strategic partnership with Haier Computer Group to jointly pursue large educational and government computing opportunities. The two companies are pursuing opportunities to offer large-scale computing access to governments in Africa, Latin America, Europe and Asia. The firms have already won the world's first nationwide 'one-computer-per-child' program in the Republic of Macedonia, as they helped the Macedonian government install over 180,000 computing seats throughout its school system for under $150 per seat including all hardware, software and network infrastructure. NComputing enables a single PC to be shared by as many as 30 users and an access device. Each user's monitor, keyboard and mouse connect to the small access device which is then connected to the shared PC. The NComputing solution supports Linux and Windows platforms. The Macedonian government chose Ubuntu Linux for its "one-computer-per-child" program. By combining NComputing virtual desktops with Haier's scale and price advantage on monitor and host PCs, the joint solution can be offered for 60-75 percent less than traditional desktop PCs or thin clients. "NComputing's mission is to bring computing to the next billion people around the world who are ready, but simply cannot afford it with traditional computers," said Stephen Dukker, Chairman and CEO of NComputing. "NComputing virtual desktops have broken the cost barrier and by partnering with Haier, we will be able to bring the technology to millions of students and citizens around the world." The two companies will initially target 18 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia and Latin America that have large-scale computerization projects in schools and government offices and address over 1.5 million workstations. Eventually, the companies expect to broaden the partnership to other countries. NComputing already has a significant presence in Africa with nearly 30 nations having deployed or piloted the solution. "NComputing is one of a few computer technology companies making a real commitment to bringing affordable, economically sustainable computing solutions to Africa and other developing regions," said Brooke Partridge, CEO of Vital Wave Consulting, a strategy consulting firm focused on technology business in emerging markets. "Our research has shown that most low-cost computing devices are being marketed primarily to mature markets. Its partnership with Haier demonstrates NComputing's resistance to that by changing their focus on these under-served markets." "Government leaders in emerging markets recognize that computer skills are critical if they want their citizens and workers to prosper in the 21st century economy," said Gao Yi-cheng, General Manager, Haier Computers. "By combining our PCs and monitors with NComputing virtual desktops, we will be able to help the governments."

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