NComputing has seen the market respond strongly to its software solutions that allow for one PC to simultaneously support up to 30 users at any given time, and it’s looking to keep the growth happening by building-out its presence in the Canadian marketplace.
Founded in 2003 by president and COO Young Song and CTO Klaus Maier, the Redwood City, Calif.-based software provider has developed software that runs on any Windows or Linux PC operating system to allow its users to create a multi-user computer environment.
It’s been a hit with educational institutions but the market is expanding, and Stephen Dukker, NComputing’s CEO and chair, said demand for this solution has quickly taken flight.
“Our first markets have been with schools,” Dukker said. “Now businesses that are small, medium and large have begun embracing this technology as soon as they discover what this can do. There has been exponential growth in the U.S., Asia and Europe.”
Even still, Dukker said NComputing has its eye on expanding across Canada.
“Our country manager [in Canada] just started,” Dukker said. “We want to scale and also build out our sales organization here.”
The company’s software works in one of two ways with one of two product lines. The first is known as the “L” series which connects to a shared computer with either broadband or LAN. Larger organizations such as colleges and universities are common users of this method.
The second line is the “X” series where a card is put into a shared computer. This method is usually taken advantage of by K-12 school systems. However, both methods allow for up to 30 users to share one computer.
The software’s affordable price point of about US $70 per seat, combined with its low energy consumption, are just two of the drivers that help boost demand, Dukker said.
Designed for those that may not have the budget for purchasing single computers, or for those that may lack the skills set to install solutions, the software is designed for quick and easy set-up and instillation. The solution also comes ready to use with any standard PC application so there’s not much of a learning curve or additional training required on the part of the end-user.
“The purchase cost is about 25 per cent of the cost of a computer,” said Dukker. “Our devices only consume about 12 watts of power per use compared with that of a PC, which is over 200 watts per user.”
While demand is prevalent with end users and partners, NComputing can’t wait to grow these already existing numbers. With over 100 partners in the U.S. and over 250 partners worldwide, the company wants to build on that base.
“We’re going to continue to push the envelope,” Dukker said. “We want to expand our presence in Canada and education really becomes key. Our company lives at the intersection of the developing world and education. Our solution is at the heart of energy conservation and helps people in emerging markets cross over the digital divide.”
Comment: cdnedit@itbusiness.ca