NEC Corporation, the global Internet and business solutions provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with Sify to jointly promote thin client computing in India, as an alternative to conventional desktop computing.
Under this collaboration, NEC would supply virtual personal computer centers (VPCC) to Sify, which it would then utilize to provide thin client systems to customers as an outsourced service, to enable the spread of VPCC services to companies in India.
The partnership aims at the installation of 100,000 client terminal units and 6,000 server units within the first three years of business in the country. Apparently, NEC will promote the concept of VPCC thin computing together with Sify for the delivery of services.
NEC will also provide a VPCC package of six servers, which includes ‘Express 5800/VPCC Virtual PC Servers’ with middleware and client operating system, and 100 thin client terminals to Sify. The new package represents a high-availability model suitable for new installation in large-scale thin client terminals.
On this occasion, Kazuhiko Kobayashi, Executive Vice-President, NEC, said, “With more mobile innovations in the ICT industry, and faster technological adaptations in recent years, NEC believes that businesses and economies world-wide are evolving from a PC-based computing model to a network-centric computing model. We are optimistic about this new thin client business, and plan to grow it into a $1.25 billion business for our global operations in the next three years.”
Adding to it, Raju Vegesna, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Sify, explained, “The IT adoption wave is forecast to continue in 2007, especially amongst small and medium-sized businesses, as well as in consumer homes. We believe that the availability of a network-centric computing model with its many advantages, especially cost and security, will accelerate the rate of IT adoption in the country. Sify, along with NEC, intends to catalyze the market for such services in India.”
It is also learnt that as Indian companies consider alternatives for commercial PCs, NEC and Sify will promote thin client computing as an outsourced service, which not only reduces the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the client, but also enables an enhanced security environment for conducting business.
Besides, Sify will also promote the use of VPCCs in its 3,500 Internet cafes in India, and installation and active utilization of VPCCs in its own call centers and office processing systems.
