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NComputing, which started off as a provider of ultra low-cost computing, has become a prominent name in the desktop virtualization space globally. Recently, the company connected 5,000 schools in Andhra Pradesh, and has partnered with the United Nations to provide mass scale computing to students and schools. In an interview with Dataquest, Manish Sharma, vice president, Asia Pacific, NComputing spoke of the desktop virtualization industry, how it contributes to green IT and a lot more.

Can you tell us about NComputing and your low-cost computing kits; and how exactly do they facilitate shared computing?
NComputing solution is based on a simple fact: todays PCs are so powerful that majority of applications use only a small fraction of the computers capacity. The average person uses less than 5% capacity of their PCs, and the rest is wasted. NComputing taps the unused 95% capacity in a PC, and shares it among multiple users, as if each person has their own computer. Each person enjoys a full PC experience by connecting their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse to an NComputing access device, which is then connected to the shared PC. Each person runs their own applications, and have their own files, settings, and preferences; without the bulk, expenses, and cost of a dedicated PC. The access devices snap into place in seconds, are almost impossible to break, and save maintenance costs, because only the shared PC requires ongoing service or upgrading.

Manish Sharma, vice president, Asia Pacific

Our focus is to break affordability and complexity barriers that have limited PCs from being deployed everywhere. With the combination of our access devices and virtualization software, a single PC can support up to thirty users at one time. These devices are low-cost, use very little electricity, and are very easy to set up and maintain. Furthermore, the solution is compatible with standard PC applications, so IT staff and end users do not require special training.

Being a company focused purely on desktop virtualization, how do you see the uptake in India?
Desktop virtualization could be a nascent concept, but the drive to cut down purchase and set-up costs is real. When companies and users ask the smart questionwhy do they need to buy ten computers, if all they need to buy is one, the proposition becomes very compelling. It is this question which is resulting in a fast adoption of our technology. In the last two years, we have implemented over 2 lakh units in India, which is 10% of our global deployment.

What kind of savings (average) in terms of equipment and computing costs does your desktop virtualization solution bring about? How does desktop virtualization contribute towards green IT?
Simply because we reduce the number of computers to be purchased and deployed, NComputing deployment results in approximately 75% reduction in infrastructure acquisition and maintenance costs; and a further 90% savings in electricity consumption; and 98% reduction in e-waste.
There are over a billion personal computers around the world. Each one uses about 110 watts of electricity, and generates 10 kg of e-waste at the end of its short three to five year lifecycle. From my perspective, green computing will not succeed until PCs are utilized more efficiently. A solution to the problem lies in virtual desktop technology that NComputing offers, which enables a single PC to be shared by as many as thirty users, using devices which consume not more than 1 watt of electricity. This is already a reality in thousands of schools.

Which are the largest desktop virtualization deployments carried out by NComputing? Who are your largest customers in India, and what is the kind of savings that they have been able to achieve through shared computing activities?
NComputing has completed as many as 2 mn installations worldwide in over 40,000 organizations and institutions in 140 countries. The Republic of Macedonia installed 1,60,000 NComputing seats in every K-12 school in the country. This was the first country to have a nationwide deployment of computing for every single student. Similarly in Pakistan, we are currently installing 64,000 virtual desktop access devices in over 4,000 schools. In the US, approximately 7% of the US K-12 educational segment is standardized on our technology. In India, Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation (MKCL) has standardized hundreds of its affiliate colleges on our shared computing architecture. Recently, we connected computer labs in 5,000 schools across Andhra Pradesh with our shared computing solutions. As NComputing devices only use 1 watt electricity, every ten seater computing lab uses 90% less electricity compared to an all PC lab. Today, 1.8 mn students in the state have computing access; and the government estimates it saved 50% in computer equipments; and will save 70% in support and maintenance.

How are you working with OEM vendors to promote desktop virtualisztion, and increase compatbility of the devices? Are you working towards a standard for virtualization devices?
We have strong relationships with all major OEMs like Wipro, Acer, HCL, HP, Dell, and Lenovo. With rapid adoption and increasing demand of this technology, OEMs are beginning to pre-install our virtualization software in their factories to make it convenient for end users. For example, for the Andhra Pradesh project, NComputing worked with local PC OEMs, including HP, Acer, and HCL, to install the kits in their factories; and ship them to each site. This teamwork approach resulted in most labs becoming operational within a few months.

You also recently joined hands with the UN? What is the scope of this initiative?
We have been working with the United Nations Global Alliance on ICT Development (GAID), on a range of activities to bring low-cost, mass-scale computing to the children of developing nations. For example, we announced a few months ago that we will donate 1,000 NComputing systems for pilot programs in three African countries in 2009 and 2010. In addition, we are working with a UN program to bring computing access to 10,000 schools in over thirty countries, over the next five years. In the past three years, NComputing has emerged as the largest organization to successfully deploy low-cost computing around the world. In fact, NComputing is used by over 15 mon children, government workers, and businesses every day; so we have gained some valuable insights on how to successfully implement large-scale computing projects. We also serve the steering committee of GAID; and provide those real world insights to the UN, non-governmental organizations, and international development agencies.

Priya Kekre
priyak@cybermedia.co.in

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