Wyse Takes PCs To The Cloud

Wyse Technology is putting a cloud twist on its new line of thin clients, dubbed Cloud PCs, that the company said runs Windows 7 from a private cloud and not from a local hard disk drive.

The launch of the Wyse Technology Cloud PCs comes as Wyse continues to leverage cloud computing to deliver operating systems, data and applications. Earlier this year, Wyse launched its PocketCloud offering, which helps transform the Apple iPad into a Windows 7 thin client.

Rather than a local hard disk drive the new family of Wyse Cloud PCs leverage Wyse hardware and a Web connection to access its Windows OS, apps and data in a private cloud. Wyse said the new line of Cloud PCs comes bundled with a Windows 7 license and Microsoft Software Assurance eligibility to ease installation and licensing.

The star of the Cloud PCs however, is the cloud computing focus. As nothing is stored locally, the Cloud PCs leverage server-based storage. The Cloud PCs are also designed for desktop virtualization environments where some apps must run on the local desktop for compatibility and performance and others are on the VDI server.

The new Cloud PCs stream the OS, apps and data from the local data center. While the systems take queues from Wyse's line of thin clients, but are provisioned and managed from the cloud.

By packaging the Windows 7 license with Microsoft Software Assurance eliminates the need for customers to purchase an additional Microsoft Virtual Desktop Access (VDA) license, Wyse said. The Cloud PCs work with Wyse Streaming Manager (WSM) software that serves the operating system and applications on demand. Requiring minimal server hardware to deliver the OS, applications and content and ultimately can ease management compared to PCs with local hard disks.

"Cloud PCs receive their Microsoft Windows 7 streamed by WSM directly from the network on every boot, ensuring total security and manageability of the devices and the work environment," Wyse said in a statement. "User data is stored in the data center, avoiding common data loss scenarios and virus propagation."

The first two Cloud PCs to launch are the Wyse R00L and the Wyse R00LE. Both come bundled with Microsoft licensing and provide high performance with power consumption of less than 15 watts. The R00LE features a 1.5 GHz AMD Sempron Processor and 1G of RAM and 1 G of Flash. It features one DVI-D port, two PS/2 ports, two serial ports, six external USB 2.0 ports and four internal USB 2.0 ports. It also features 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 2.0. The R00L offers similar features with minor differences.

"Cloud PCs take the simplicity and energy efficiency of PC desktops to new levels and demonstrate our continuing innovation in addressing the needs of our customers," Param Desai, Wyse senior director of product management, said in a statement.