Punjab Government selects NComputing virtual computers for its labs

Government of Punjab has selected NComputing’s virtual computers in its computer labs for 480 schools. This is a part of a computer education initiative called ICT Education Project for Punjab, estimated to be valued at Rs. 7.5 crores ($1.6 million), which will provide computer access to thousands of schoolchildren throughout the state. The Government of Punjab sought to provide the maximum number of computer seats in each school at an affordable price, with low ongoing maintenance costs.

Each of the 480 schools will have a five seat computing lab comprising four NComputing X550 virtual desktops, one desktop PC, one KVA UPS and a printer. Once installed, the new computer labs will be used to teach computer skills, as well as subjects such as reading and mathematics. The systems will run the C-DAC ‘EduBOSS’ operating system.

NComputing will deliver X550 virtual desktop product which requires 75% less maintenance and 90% less energy consumption than traditional all-PC labs. EduBOSS (customized version of BOSS Linux for school education), developed by C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing) is preloaded with educational applications and comes pre installed with this.

Stephen Dukker, CEO and Chairman, NComputing said, “Thousands of school children in Punjab will benefit from this technology initiative. Our technology lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both energy consumption and e-waste. It is a solution for leveraging the power and potential of PCs and Cloud computing. We are proud to be involved in the Government of Punjab’s computer literacy initiative. In just three years, over 20000 schools around India have installed Ncomputing solutions.”

NComputing is already providing desktop computing access to millions of school children through major state education projects in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar and Rajasthan.