NComputing Pushes Virtualization Virtues with vSpace Client

NComputing is looking to capture the virtualization market by repurposing old Windows computers. It’s not exactly a novel concept — we’ve seen it before — but NComputing’s strategy with its vSpace Client for Windows is more than just a software feature. It’s got partner potential and bring-your-own-device (BYOD) access built around it. The VAR Guy spoke to Mike Pagani, senior director of product marketing, for some color and the big picture. Here’s the scoop …

vSpace Client for Windows is simple: download, install and launch. Welcome to VDI world. vSpace Client for Windows will run on any computer capable of running Windows XP. Once running, vSpace Client will link with NComputing’s vSpace Server, which means vSpace Client for Windows can connect to any existing NComputing infrastructure just like NComputing’s thin-clients do.

But Pagani outlined NComputing’s new strategy, noting it’s more about just repurposing old computers. The company is branding vSpace Client for Windows as a functional portal into the BYOD world. NComputing is encouraging its VARs and users to consider bringing in computers from home, which can save time and money, in addition to mitigating certain security issues. What’s more, iOS and Android vSpace clients will be arriving shortly, with Windows 8 eventually in tow. Sadly, Linux is not yet supported, though Pagani said there’s no technical reason why NComputing can’t support Linux — and it could very well arrive one day. The VAR Guy thinks Linux support could quickly grow NComputing’s user base.

But even in its relative infancy, Pagani said the channel should get excited about this solution, because “… we’ve had a beta out there for six months [and the] install base has been telling us how much they can expand. It’s about 40 percent expansion on average.” Partners have found increased sales and stickiness with existing customers, plus the ability to expand beyond traditional thin client virtualization sales, he said, adding partners have a unique opportunity to attack the educational vertical, where many netbooks live inside mobile workstation carts. Instead of buying a new netbooks, schools can simply set up a small virtualization server and repurpose the netbooks as mobile thin clients.

The whole package is available now to all NComputing partners and starts at $499 for a five-user license, and volume discounts are available. NComputing also allows “concurrent user access,” so a user can have any number of devices running vSpace Client as long as there are only five users connected at a time. Short and sweet, The VAR Guy thinks NComputing has the right idea, especially for the SMB sector. If you’re ready to jump in, check out the partner portal and virtualize your heart out.