IBM unveils desktop cloud service
Connecting state and local government leaders
IBM is taking desktop computing into the clouds. Company officials have announced the IBM Smart Business Desktop on the IBM Cloud subscription service.
IBM is taking desktop computing into the cloud. Company officials have announced the IBM Smart Business Desktop on the IBM Cloud subscription service. The service is designed to help organizations virtualize desktop computing resources and provide a logical, rather than a physical, method of access to data, computing power, storage capacity and other resources, officials said.
Cloud computing gives end users easy access to the information they need remotely, from any device, anywhere. IBM unveiled its IBM Smart Business cloud services and products in June. The company is now adding to this portfolio desktop services that gives users with network-attached PCs and other devices the ability to access applications and data through a centrally managed computing environment.
The desktop service requires no up front capital or one time expense and will provide high levels of security, resiliency, reliability, and quality for virtual desktops, officials said.
The service offers flexible delivery models, including three standard cloud-based offerings, dedicated infrastructure, and customer premise solutions, while at the same time minimizing the risk of data theft and loss and eliminating unauthorized access.
IBM is shoring up its tools for customer assessment and strategic planning through technology and business partnerships with Citrix, Desktone, VMware and Wyse to ensure that both private and public organizations can access critical information from anywhere and at any time, the officials said.
For example, Desktone offers a virtual desktop hosting platform that provides capabilities such as multi-tenancy and seamless multi-data center support, said Jose Rodriguez, chief executive officer of the Hispanic Information Telecommunications Network.
Meanwhile, the hispanic network is partnering with IBM on a grass roots project named CBO Connect to provide desktop computing to more than 200 sites nationwide. Supported by government funding, CBO Connect is a coalition of community-based organizations comprised of non-profits, schools and libraries where visitors have access to 21st century classrooms that offer desktop cloud computing, interactive video conferencing for distance learning, video distribution system with digital signage, and other classroom and administrative services.
The IBM Smart Business Desktop on the IBM Cloud service will be available in the Americas and Europe starting in October. The pricing is based on a per-user basis and will depend on the implementation.
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