by Administrator
15. May 2010 20:29
Several Michigan educational institutions have decided to upgrade their IT system with virtual desktop software by Merit Network Inc.
The scheme will affect various higher education facilities in the area, such as public universities and community colleges, as well as K-12 school districts, libraries and several medical teaching institutions.
Although some institutions have already adopted the new technology, this will be the first time that a lot of these schools, colleges and universities have been able to see the cost-saving and efficiency benefits of the software.
The virtualization is an innovative step forward as it will allow Michigan institutions to reduce the amount of physical servers and PC’s that they use, and replace them with a more cost-effective and versatile computer solution.
Carl Eschenbach, executive vice president, worldwide field operations, VMware, said, that the “platform can help the public sector in Michigan reduce operating costs while delivering new capabilities that can extend distance learning to more students, enhance lab environments and course curricula, and streamline business operations.”
However it is not only the institutions that stand to save money from this new technology as students will also benefit financially. This is because at present distance learners have to buy expensive software if they wish to work off-site, but the virtual desktops will enable them to access the software by logging onto the universities virtual desktop for free. This is possible because all software and user profiles are stored centrally in a data-centre, which is then accessible from any location worldwide.
It is estimated that this upgrade will mean that 4,000 servers and 5,000 desktops could be virtualised, which translates into reducing power outage by 3,771 million kilowatt hours per annum and a saving of at least $19 million.
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