Sunday 01 August 2010
the global leader in ultra low-cost computing, has installed 10,000 virtual desktop computers in 1,000 adult learning centers in partnership with the Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL), a public sector company established by the Government of Maharashtra, India. Maharashtra is India’s second largest state and includes the city of Mumbai. The two organizations also announced plans to computerize 5,000 additional centers across India in the next two years. MKCL’s mission is to help the people of Maharashtra join the knowledge economy by providing world-class IT literacy and skills, which they deliver through a network of more than 5,000 learning centers. The learning centers are operated by small and mid-sized IT enterprises and educational institutions to provide IT literacy, community development, and e-governance services to the citizens.
To meet their need for a low-cost, energy-efficient computing platform, MKCL turned to NComputing. The popular NComputing X-series virtual desktop kits enable a single desktop PC to be shared by up to 11 students simultaneously. The solution costs $70 per station (compared to $500 or more for a stand-alone PC) and uses only 1 watt of electricity (compared to 110 watts or more for a PC).Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Vivek Sawant, Managing Director of MKCL said, “MKCL’s goal is to expand computer learning to millions of learners who need these essential skills to join the 21st-century workplace. Our challenge was to expand computing access in a highly economical and eco-friendly way and the NComputing solution was a perfect fit. We are pleased that in less than a year, we have been able to install or expand computing access in 1,000 centers and now plan to expand to another 5,000 centers in the next two years.”The NComputing solution takes advantage of the fact that today’s PCs are so powerful that the vast majority of users only need a small fraction of the computing capacity. NComputing taps this unused capacity so that it can be simultaneously shared by many users. Each user’s monitor, keyboard and mouse are connected to a small and highly reliable NComputing thin-client device, which is then connected to the shared PC. NComputing’s award-winning vSpace desktop virtualization software provides each user with a rich multimedia computing experience and their own computing session. Organizations typically save at least 50% on hardware costs, 75% on support costs, and 90% of electricity costs by installing NComputing.The MKCL learning centers are often located in areas where electricity is unreliable or available for only a few hours a day. They rely on expensive generators and power backup systems to keep the learning centers operating when the power goes out. But by using the 1-watt NComputing devices, the learning centers reduce their capital expenses by purchasing lower-capacity backup power systems, and they save operating costs in the form of 90% lower electricity bills.”While there are many initiatives for schoolchildren to get computer training, we must not forget that there are tens of millions of adults who need computer literacy even more urgently,” said Mr. Stephen Dukker, Chairman and CEO of NComputing while on a visit to Mumbai. “NComputing is the cornerstone of sustainable computing in so many places — from the smallest schools to the largest global enterprises. The tide is turning in how IT is procured, and it is very rewarding for us to see the benefits of our technology improve the lives and job prospects of so many people.”With 15 million daily users in over 140 countries, NComputing is also at the forefront of bringing affordable and eco-friendly computing to government, education, and business organizations in India. Last year, NComputing partnered with the state of Andhra Pradesh to install 5,000 computer labs in government schools. An estimated 1.8 million children gained computer access and training for the first time.About NComputing Inc.NComputing, Inc. is the fastest growing desktop virtualization company in the world with millions of users in 140 countries. The company’s award-winning, patented technology lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both energy consumption and e-waste. It is the perfect solution for leveraging the power and potential of PCs and cloud computing. To learn more about NComputing, visit http://www.ncomputing.com.About MKCL Maharashtra Knowledge Corporation Limited (MKCL) is promoted by the Department of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Maharashtra, India and was incorporated under the Companies Act as a Public Limited Company to create new paradigm in education and development through universalization and integration of Information Technology in teaching, learning and educational management processes in particular and socio-economic transformative processes in general.
Windows 7, which was launched simultaneously in several countries Thursday, is the successor to Vista, which hit the market three years ago.
Windows 7 puts priority on speedy operation rather than high functionality, making it possible to use it even with small, low-cost PCs such as Netbooks. “Prerelease orders exceeded sales of Vista during the first three months of its release,” Yasuyuki Higuchi, president of Microsoft’s Japanese unit, said during a launch event for the new OS.
Windows 7 is characterized by its high speed, user-friendliness and other improvements that make it possible to use much of the software sold in the past. The company also has improved some functions that dissatisfied many users of Vista.To upgrade to Windows 7, users of XP and Vista can expect to pay 15,800 yen, which is 4,000 yen cheaper than Vista.
A research company predicts global sales of Windows 7 will exceed 177 million units by the end of 2010. “[Windows 7] will help increase sales of personal computers and [user] service demand, creating about 2.3 trillion yen in profit in related markets in Japan alone,” Higuchi said.
On Thursday, many PC manufacturers started selling computers preinstalled with Windows 7.
According to research company GfK Marketing Services Japan Ltd., domestic sales of PCs in September decreased about 8 percent from the same period last year, registering year-on-year losses for eight consecutive months due to sluggish consumption.
Manufacturers are hopeful of an upturn in sales due to Windows 7.
However, some observers believe the new OS will have a limited effect on sales of PCs.
In the past, new operating systems usually meant an increase in demand for new computers, with many users inspired to fork out for higher performance models.
As Windows 7 is founded upon the principles of high speed and user-friendliness, many people likely will not feel the need for a new, higher-performance PC.
“[The release of Windows 7] will accelerate the lowering of costs for PCs, which won’t lead to improved profits,” a senior official of a major electrical manufacturer said.
Competition in the OS market is intensifying, with Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) of the United States releasing its new operating system, Snow Leopard, in August. The company also is enjoying success with such products as the iPhone.
Google Inc. of the United States plans to enter the OS market in 2010, putting priority on Net-related functions.
Cloud computing, which uses Net-based applications such as word processors and spreadsheet programs, also is expected to become popular.
The impact of Microsoft operating systems–which once wholly dominated the market–is gradually lessening, observers said.
the premier people management software and services provider, today announced Saba People Management Cloud™, an edition of Saba’s people management solutions to be delivered on Amazon Web Services (AWS).
By enabling Saba’s award winning products for the Amazon cloud, large and mid-sized enterprises will be able to easily unify, engage, mobilize and foster collaboration across their value chain while simultaneously reducing overall project implementation costs. Amazon Web Services has become a leader in cloud computing services, and provides a proven, trusted, robust, and highly scalable platform to support Saba’s On Premise and OnDemand services.
The Saba People Management Cloud will give companies the elasticity to use as little or as many of Saba’s services as they need, while paying only for what they use, with no up-front expenses. Both OnDemand and OnPremise customers will be able to take advantage of the Saba People Management Cloud as business needs dictate.
“Saba’s goal is to change the ROI equation for people management solutions by delivering a people management cloud that enables value-added services to reduce costs and increase efficiencies” said Bobby Yazdani, chairman and CEO of Saba. “The AWS cloud platform will allow customers to re-configure business processes to gain significant efficiencies in logistics, commerce, distribution and other third party services.” About Saba Founded in 1997, Saba (NASDAQ: SABA) is the premier global provider of strategic human capital management (HCM) software and services. Saba’s people management solutions are used by more than 1,300 organizations and over 17 million end users worldwide. Saba’s solutions increase organizational performance by aligning workforce goals with organizational strategy; developing, managing and rewarding their people; and improving collaboration.
Saba product offerings address all aspects of strategic HCM and are available both on-premise and OnDemand (www.saba.com/products). To ensure long-term customer success, our global services capabilities and partnerships provide strategic consulting, comprehensive implementation services, and ongoing worldwide support.
Saba customers include Alcatel-Lucent; Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ; BMW; Caterpillar; CEMEX; Cisco Systems; Daimler; Dell; Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu; EDS, an HP company; EMC Corporation; FedEx Office; Insurance Australia Group; Kaiser Permanente; Lockheed Martin; Medtronic; National Australia Bank; Novartis; Petrobras; Procter & Gamble; Renault; Royal Bank of Scotland; Scotiabank; Singapore Ministry of Finance; Sprint; Standard Chartered Bank; Stanford University; Swedbank; Tata Consultancy Services; Wyndham International; Weyerhaeuser; Underwriters Laboratories; and the U.S. Army, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, U.S. Department of Treasury/Internal Revenue Service, and U.S. Navy.
Headquartered in Redwood Shores, California, Saba has offices on five continents. For more information, please visit www.saba.com or call +1-877-SABA-101 or +1-650-779-2791.
Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the availability, features and benefits of Saba People Management Cloud. Saba’s actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties Saba faces that could cause results to differ materially include risks associated with: Saba’s dependence on growth of the markets for Saba’s products, dependence on acceptance of Saba’s products by customers and channel partners, fluctuation in customer spending, length of Saba’s sales cycle, competition, rapid technological change, dependence on new product introductions and enhancements and potential software defects. Readers should also refer to the section entitled “Risk Factors” on pages 12 through 23 of Saba’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2009 and similar disclosures in subsequent Saba periodic SEC reports. The forward-looking statements and risks stated in this press release are based on information available to Saba today. Saba assumes no obligation to update them.
SABA, the Saba logo, Saba Centra, and the marks relating to Saba products and services referenced herein are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Saba Software, Inc. or its affiliates. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
