Sphere 3D Glassware Delivers Solutions for Digital Learning Environments

SAN JOSE, CA--(Marketwired - Feb 4, 2015) - Sphere 3D Corporation (NASDAQ: ANY) today announced the availability of Glassware 2.0® for deployment in K-12 schools that are looking to deliver Windows application workspaces in support of a variety of devices -- such as Android®, Chromebook, iPad®, OS X® and Windows RT® -- and can work within an existing IT infrastructure or operate as a standalone solution.

"We tried traditional virtualization techniques but the specific applications we needed couldn't virtualize or wouldn't scale. With our Glassware 2.0 enabled Dell™ server, we were able to virtualize the applications we needed and future proof our investment in Chromebooks for our students," commented Dustin Hardin, Director of Technology of New Caney ISD, a current Glassware customer. "Having the ability to securely deliver virtualized Windows-based applications to our students allows us to plan around our own technology roadmap instead of having to rely on multiple software vendors to release compatible versions or maintain support for existing versions already in use by our schools."

According to the National Center for Education Statistics 2014 report there are approximately 49.8 million K-12 students, 98,300 public schools and 13,600 public school districts in the U.S alone. The majority of schools have labs filled with antiquated workstations and are migrating to or considering migrating to BYOD deployments or a 1 to 1 program with district-issued devices in student backpacks. The new devices are more mobile, less expensive, run on a variety of different operating systems, and far outnumber the workstations used before. For example, a school may migrate from 30 workstations running Windows XP to over 1,000 Chromebooks running the lightweight Chrome OS. In addition, a majority of these school districts face increased pressure to migrate from workstations to less expensive and more mobile devices.

Unfortunately, many of these devices don't play well with current software which was written for a workstation dominated world and used for everything from digital learning to legislated standardized proficiency testing. Educational software companies have been overwhelmed by the need to deliver multiple platform support -- writing a version of the application for iOS, a version for Chromebook and a version for Surface RT etc. In addition, many current applications require Internet access to sync with offsite data centers and use various plugins, Java and/or Flash software that is not supported by student devices, or will only work if security is disabled on students' computers. Traditional virtualization solutions have not worked out because of their inability to virtualize many of these critical applications or deliver them economically or at scale.

Glassware 2.0 is delivered on one or multiple servers that can be placed at the school or the district's data center. The Glassware 2.0 appliance allows school districts to quickly deliver Windows® workspaces, to most devices in use today, and further allows for secure access to portals for high stakes standardized testing, regardless of whether the portal is accessed by Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome or a number of other browsers. Finally, Glassware provides licensing simplicity through Microsoft® embedded licensing on all Glassware appliances while enabling simple and flexible deployment options for IT administrators.

"Dustin, and the team at New Caney ISD, recognized that an increased access to technology will augment the learning experience for students in their district and moved forward to become one of the largest 1 to 1 Chromebook deployments in the K-12 segment with over 14,000 students with devices," stated Peter Tassiopoulos, President of Sphere 3D. "We recognize that technology is quickly becoming part of the fabric of student life and are partnering with thought leaders and organizations like New Caney to pave the way for an immersive digital experience, both in the schools and from home."

Glassware Demonstration Today
Dustin Hardin will be presenting and demonstrating Sphere 3D's Glassware 2.0 virtualization technology today at the TCEA 2015 Convention & Exposition in Austin, Texas at 8:00a.m. CST and again at 12:00p.m. CST. TCEA is a member-based organization devoted to the use of technology in education. The 2015 conference is focused on passionate teachers, campus and district leaders gathering to share the latest trends and best practices for technology in education.

About Glassware 2.0 and Sphere 3D
Sphere 3D's Glassware 2.0™ platform delivers virtualization of some of the most demanding applications in the marketplace today, making it easy to move applications from a physical PC or workstation to a virtual environment delivered to the user workspace on Chromebooks, tablets, Smartphones and a host of other devices.

Sphere 3D Corporation (NASDAQ: ANY) is a virtualization technology solution provider with a portfolio of products that address the complete data continuum from active data to data at rest. Dedicated to continue to lead through innovation, Sphere 3D enables the integration of virtual applications, virtual desktops, and storage into workflow, and allows organizations to deploy a combination of public, private or hybrid cloud strategies. Sphere 3D's V3 converged infrastructure solutions include one of the industry's first purpose-built appliances for virtualization and the Desktop Cloud Orchestrator management software for VDI. Overland Storage and Tandberg Data, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Sphere 3D, provide an integrated range of technologies and services for primary, nearline, offline, and archival data storage that make it easy and cost-effective to manage different tiers of information over the data lifecycle. For additional information, visit www.sphere3d.com.

Safe Harbor Statement
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