Virtual Computer Turns VDI on Its Head With NxTop 4

LAS VEGAS, NV--(Marketwire - Aug 29, 2011) - VMworld 2011 -- Virtual Computer, the market leader in intelligent desktop virtualization (IDV), today announced the availability of NxTop^® 4. With this new release, IT departments are equipped for the first time with a desktop virtualization solution that offers both centralized and distributed storage options for virtual machines while still utilizing the enormous computing power at the PC end-point. By combining network-based storage with a stateless client-side hypervisor, Virtual Computer's customers can now keep all their data in the data center, but deliver a high-fidelity desktop experience at a fraction of the cost of server-hosted VDI.

The underpinnings of this technology were first introduced to the market in 2009 by Lenovo, which is now working with Virtual Computer to extend the solution and deliver it on NxTop (see related news). As part of the collaboration, Lenovo provided core technology and patents that bring this technology to a broad set of Lenovo computers and PCs powered by 2^nd generation Intel^® Core™ vPro™ processors. Lenovo customers can now benefit from NxTop's native PC performance, seamless user experience and zero-touch PC deployment through a Lenovo custom factory install. NxTop 4 on Lenovo Think-branded PCs will be demonstrated in Virtual Computer's booth #1164 this week at VMworld 2011 in Las Vegas.

"Virtual Computer's customers are moving forward with the confidence that Lenovo, Intel and other PC-ecosystem giants are supporting our approach," said Dan McCall, CEO of Virtual Computer. "NxTop 4 brings together the best of what desktop virtualization can offer without the limitations inherent in server-based VDI."

Industry and Customer Support
"Based on the new capabilities Virtual Computer has launched in NxTop 4, their global distribution and technology collaboration agreement with Lenovo, and their strong customer traction, we see Virtual Computer as a major player in the distributed desktop virtualization space," said Ian Song, senior research analyst for IDC's Enterprise Virtualization Software practice.

"Virtual Computer NxTop 4 allows customers who want to benefit from desktop virtualization to simplify their PC management and secure their data while minimizing infrastructure and operations costs," said Peter Schrady, vice president and general manager, Software & Peripherals Business Unit, Lenovo. "By offering this solution on our Think-branded PCs, our customers can quickly and easily optimize their virtualization experience."

"Virtual Computer's NxTop offers extensive flexibility by allowing our Information Technology department to centralize and streamline the management of images, and leverage the same image templates for multiple deployment models, irrespective of the data being stored locally, on a remote storage array, or on a fully encrypted hard drive," said Aaron Caine, CIO of Planned Parenthood League of Massachusetts. "In addition, NxTop's management console allows the support of a variety of deployment scenarios -- from shared computers to fully customized laptops for our mobile work force."

A Better Approach to VDI
NxTop 4 turns VDI on its head by harnessing the power of end-point PCs for execution rather than requiring major investments in server farms. NxTop 4 includes the following new capabilities:

• Hot-Desking on Stateless End-Points: Deployment option that provides fast near-native performance by harnessing the power of local execution while data is hosted on a storage array, providing a high-performance and low-cost alternative to server-hosted VDI for use cases such as hot-desking, or where data is not permitted to leave the data center.
• VMware vSphere/ESXi and Citrix Xen Support: Production support for a broad set of server virtualization platforms including VMware vSphere/ESXi and Citrix Xen, allowing IT departments to roll out NxTop management servers as appliances into their existing virtualized server infrastructure.
• Server VMs on PC Infrastructure: Ability to centrally create, provision, and patch virtual Server 2008 instances on PC infrastructure, enabling companies to leverage underutilized desktop PCs in remote offices to run server operating systems. Powerful shared image management capabilities allow for failsafe one-to-many patching with built-in rollback that eliminates the risk to production environments.
• Green Computing: Remote power management policies enable IT departments to control end-user laptop and desktop power usage from a central management interface, driving down power costs for end-point devices. Local execution dramatically reduces the need for server infrastructure even when data is hosted centrally in a storage array, slashing data center power and cooling costs.
• Large Scale Enterprise Installer: The large scale enterprise installer allows IT departments to install NxTop Engine to tens or hundreds of thousands of PCs in a distributed environment across any number of branch offices without visiting a single PC.
• 50+ Additional Enhancements: Ranging from accelerated data encryption optimized for Intel® vPro enabled processors to single-sign-on to advanced management capabilities for shared computers in training rooms and classrooms.

NxTop 4 offers the highest performance, lowest cost desktop virtualization platform and is available immediately via Virtual Computer's global channel partners or through Lenovo customer factory install. Organizations looking to evaluate the technology can download NxTop for free by visiting www.virtualcomputer.com.

About Virtual Computer
Virtual Computer is the market leader in intelligent desktop virtualization, combining client-hosted VDI with centralized management. The company's flagship product, Virtual Computer NxTop, makes managing thousands of desktops and laptops as easy as managing one, while offering new levels of flexibility and productivity to end-users. NxTop delivers ultra-fast native PC performance, complete mobility, and better manageability than VDI for a fraction of the cost. More information is available at www.virtualcomputer.com. Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/virtualcomputer.

NxTop is a registered trademark of Virtual Computer. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.