Userful to Demo Ultra-Low-Cost School Computing Solution at BETT 2012 (in the HP Booth)

Online, January 4, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Calgary, AB - At BETT in the HP booth (Stand J40, Upper Level) in London, England from January 11 - 14, Userful, the world leader in Linux desktop virtualization, will be demonstrating the next generation of their Userful MultiSeat™ solution which turns one Linux computer into multiple high performance independent computer stations using the HP t200 thin client device, a multiseat device that can be connected either via USB or Ethernet using Userful's software. Userful MultiSeat enables schools to deploy more than twice as many computers for the same cost, while enabling multiple users to use different applications at the same time from one host computer, each with their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. The new product truly redefines the cost of a full featured high performance computer.

Userful MultiSeat enables schools to quickly deploy large numbers of computer stations for a very low cost, whether in the classroom, computer lab, or school library. It is easy to set up, use and maintain, and provides teachers with the tools they need to give their students a high quality computer-based education. It dramatically reduces electricity use, paying for the computers in power savings alone in 4 years or less, and reduces environmental heat, noise and pollution at the same time. It also reduces infrastructure costs, by requiring fewer cables and fewer electrical outlets, and enables schools to reinvest by starting new computer labs with the computers recovered as a result of a MultiSeat computing upgrade.

"Userful is shaping the future of economically and environmentally sustainable educational computing," said Tim Griffin, President of Userful. "We've already done the world's largest ever desktop virtualization deployment, and one of the largest digital inclusion initiatives in the world. Userful is the perfect solution for anyone who wants the benefits of desktop virtualization, without the price tag."

More than 50,000 schools worldwide are already using Userful MultiSeat to provide millions of students with computer access. Userful has proven to be the computer solution of choice for governments with digital inclusion mandates to provide school age children with computer access, on limited budgets. Countries such as Brazil, who have already successfully deployed over 500,000 Userful computer stations to schools in every municipality, have shown that with the combined cost savings of Userful MultiSeat, Linux, and open source software, it is feasible to provide every student with a comprehensive education using computers, regardless of whether they live in a city or a remote indigenous village with little infrastructure. The Brazilian Ministry of Education has reported saving 60% in up-front costs, and 80% in annual power savings as compared to their previous PC-per-station solutions.

Userful MultiSeat Linux allows each student to individually control their own computer station and applications. To the students, it seems like they each have their own dedicated computer. In reality they are all sharing the resources of a single host computer. It's high performance, and set up is Plug-And-Play. Ten students can engage in multiple activities such as watching a full-screen video, exploring Google Earth, conducting research on the internet or using a word processor. It is easy to add new computer stations and teachers can easily expand the number of stations in their lab or classroom in minutes. Since it's Linux based, hundreds of educational software applications are available at no charge, including classroom computer management software for teachers. Teachers also don't need to worry about downtime. In the event that a host computer fails, teachers can simply move (hot-swap) the station cable to one of the other computers in the lab/classroom and the students can resume working.

Every ministry of education worldwide is eligible for a free 90 day pilot so that educators can easily experience first hand the high performance, and ease of use of the solution.

To arrange a demo, meeting, or interview at BETT, please e-mail [email protected], or phone +1.403.289.2177 x218

For more information, visit http://userful.com/products/userful-multiseat-linux

For more information on the HP t200 multiseat device, visit: HP t200 Product Information
About Userful:
Userful Corporation is the trusted partner for government education with millions of users of its MultiSeat solutions in over 100 countries. Userful provides the software that powers the world's largest educational computer deployments, and has sold more than 800,000 MultiSeat desktops worldwide. Userful focuses exclusively on Linux, and is the foremost expert in Linux shared computing with more than 10 years experience in MultiSeat. Userful is headquartered in Calgary, Canada, with offices and partners around the world. The company's software which turns one computer into 10 lowers desktop computing costs, improves manageability, and reduces both electricity consumption and e-waste. More information about Userful is available at: http://www.userful.com.

Trademark notice: HP™ is a trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company. Userful MultiSeat Linux™, and Userful MultiSeat™ are trademarks of Userful Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Note to editors: For more information, videos, and photos from Userful, please visit the Userful press kit at: http://userful.com/company/news-and-reviews/press-kit . A video to embed is available here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdB5G7cP5mM