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Virtual Computer Debuts New Release Of NxTop 4

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Virtual Computer 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.

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 2nd generation Intel Core vPro processors.

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.

Virtual Computer Debuts Global Partner Program

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Virtual Computer has announced the launch of its global partner program. This program is designed to help solution providers and managed service providers (MSPs) set themselves apart from competitors by selling a client-hosted virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution.

This enables solution providers and MSPs to effectively deliver on desktop virtualization and management initiatives as well as to focus on additional high-value projects and services.

The Virtual Computer NxTop desktop virtualization solution balances the manageability and budget needs of IT professionals with the freedom and flexibility end users demand. Unlike traditional server-hosted VDI, NxTop offers centralized management with localized execution to address all of the challenges associated with traditional server-hosted VDI, including high server and network costs, low performance, and limited mobility, giving partners a competitive advantage and improving customer satisfaction.

As part of the program, partners will benefit from an award winning client-hosted desktop virtualization solution. In addition, to help partners attain greater profitability, Virtual Computer’s new partner program offers sales and technical resources, demand generation tools, online self- paced sales and technical courses.

Virtual Computer Appoints Sham Sao As CMO

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Distributed desktop virtualization company Virtual Computer has announced that it has appointed Sham Sao as chief marketing officer. Sao will be responsible for marketing, communications, product management, and product marketing.

Most recently, Sao served as CMO of OneSource, a division of Infogroup. At OneSource, he led a global marketing team and conceived and launched a web-based offering that grew unique visitors to the website from 40,000 per month to nearly 1,000,000 per month.

Previously, Sao served as global vice president of marketing and business development for Deploy Solutions, a leading provider of software and hardware-based workforce solutions that was acquired by Kronos. Sao also has served in executive positions at companies including Partnerware, Trilogy and McKinsey & Company.

He holds a B.S. in Computer Science and a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.

Sao attended Harvard Business School and Harvard Law School, where he earned a J.D. in technology law and served as an editor on the Journal of Law & Technology.

Virtual Computer Launches NxTop 3.0 At VMworld

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Virtual Computer has announced NxTop 3.0; a suite of products for large enterprises, businesses, and consumers.

Distributed management features, stand-alone bare-metal (Type 1) hypervisor with quick-booting virtual appliance for server- and cloud-based computing, and broad PC hardware coverage, extend NxTop support to any size organization and type of user.

NxTop 3.0 suite includes:

  • NxTop Enterprise: Desktop virtualization and management solution for large organizations; includes NxTop Business with added distributed remote-office management and help-desk support.
  • NxTop Business: Desktop virtualization and management solution suitable for organizations from 5 to 500 users operating in a LAN environment.
  • NxTop Express: Free desktop virtualization and management solution for five users.
  • NxTop Workstation: Free stand-alone Type 1 hypervisor with local virtual machine installer and a quick-booting virtual appliance for access to server- and cloud-based applications.

NxTop Express and NxTop Workstation can be downloaded from the Virtual Computer website. NxTop Enterprise and NxTop Business will be generally available September 2010.

New Distributed Management Features

NxTop was the first product to combine centralized virtual desktop management with distributed execution on a bare-metal client hypervisor. By distributing the deployment model to take advantage of remote servers, NxTop customers can reduce their operational costs in half without sacrificing mobility or user computing experience, even in bandwidth-constrained environments. NxTop 3.0 broadens these capabilities with new management features that include:

  • Hierarchical Management enables deployment of NxTop Center servers at remote offices that use intelligent caching for more efficient bandwidth utilization.
  • Remote Help Desk Capability allows IT administrators remote control of end-user PCs, providing assistance across all areas of the platform.
  • Policy-based Bandwidth Throttling between NxTop Center and client hypervisor ensures business critical network traffic can be prioritized over system updates and backups.

New Client Features

With NxTop 3.0, IT organizations can create a single managed infrastructure of PCs that will support any combination of local desktops, remote VDI sessions, and server- and cloud-based applications. Enhancements include:

  • NxTop Connect: Quick-booting (in seconds) embedded virtual appliance that provides seamless access to server- and cloud-based applications and server-hosted desktops from all major VDI vendors. Pre-loaded applications include Google Chrome, Skype, and RDP client. NxTop Connect can run standalone on the desktop as thin client or alongside locally executing virtual machines.
  • Local Creation of Virtual Machines: IT departments can enable end-users to create their own personal virtual machines that run alongside corporate virtual machines with full isolation (e.g. viruses cannot spread across virtual machines).

Broad PC Hardware Compatibility

NxTop 3.0 supports the broadest set of new and old PCs and peripheral devices in the industry, specifically:

  • Intel: Any multi-core CPU with VT-x
  • AMD: Any multi-core CPU with AMD-V
  • Enhanced Graphics: Recent graphics chipsets from Intel, NVIDIA, and ATI
  • 3G/4G Modems: Integrated and USB-based 3G/4G broadband modems
  • USB: All categories of USB devices including web-cams and other multi-function devices along with policy based filtering/enabling
  • Serial Ports: Access to older printer devices used in banking and health-care environments
  • 64-bit Guest OS: 32-bit and 64-bit Windows configurations

Quest, Virtual Computer Unveil Integrated Server and Client-Hosted Desktop Virtualization

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Quest Software and Virtual Computer today announced a technology alliance to deliver a desktop virtualization and management solution meeting the end-to-end computing needs of large enterprises.

This technology provides anywhere, anytime access to both centralized and distributed end-user environments through the integration of Quest vWorkspace client and Virtual Computer NxTop 3.0 enterprise platform.

The combined solution will dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of deploying and managing corporate desktops, while improving desktop delivery options for stationery and mobile users.

The offering will provide consolidated management across server- and client-hosted virtual desktops, enabling IT teams to build a single virtual desktop image for deployment to stationery and mobile users. Regardless of the deployment model, IT administrators can efficiently execute updates once in a secure environment. Master image updates are synchronized with linked user desktops—running centrally or locally—while preserving end-user personalization.

Stationery users in corporate offices or an Internet/VPN connection can access server-hosted desktops and applications remotely using the broker technology and high performance Experience Optimized Protocol (EOP) in Quest vWorkspace. Mobile users can use NxTop Engine, Virtual Computer’s unique “bare-metal” client hypervisor and remote management technology, to maintain full access to their desktop when disconnected from the network. NxTop Engine enables easy access to server-based resources while online via the integrated Quest vWorkspace connector.

The joint solution will also feature tight integration with Hyper-V and System Center Virtual Machine Manager for virtual desktop creation, management and execution. NxTop Engine’s two-way Hyper-V compatibility will allow virtual desktops to execute on local PC hardware, and users of server-hosted desktops will benefit from Quest’s EOP enhancements for the RDP protocol, including emerging Microsoft technology such as RemoteFX.

As business becomes increasingly mobile, Quest and Virtual Computer will offer a one-of-a-kind capability for users to remotely access their desktops and applications, including desktops running on PCs equipped with NxTop Engine. From a remote PC with a specialized client, a thin client, or a tablet-computing device, users will be able to access their desktops and applications in a secure manner for an unprecedented level of freedom and convenience.

The initial vWorkspace/NxTop integration, including a NxTop Engine and the Quest vWorkspace connector, will be available as a release candidate beginning Aug. 30, with general availability in October.

Additional integration points and enhancements will be delivered in phases through 2011.

Virtual Computer Teams Up With Xenocode

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Virtual Computer and Xenocode today announced a partnership to automate delivery of Xenocode applications through NxTop Center, Virtual Computer’s one-to-many PC Management platform.

Available immediately, the new feature allows for point and click assignment of Xenocode applications to any combination of NxTop users or groups. In addition, desktop IT managers gain a powerful tool to allow for variability of applications at the end-point while maintaining a single “golden” image of the operating system for their organization.

Virtual Computer customers can take advantage of the new Xenocode integration immediately through an upgrade to the latest release of NxTop which features support for Microsoft Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 and Hyper-V. Current Xenocode customers can pull their existing virtualized applications into NxTop Center in minutes through a new import wizard. In addition, Virtual Computer will be distributing a set of free, prepackaged Xenocode applications along with discounted pricing on Xenocode Virtual Application Studio.