Company Press Release:
Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard partner to enable affordable access in Indian schools
Windows
MultiPoint Server 2010 launched in India: Allows multiple students to share
one PC
New Delhi, April 9, 2010 — IT adoption in the Indian education sector continues to be hampered by issues of accessibility, affordability, and relevance: today students in less than 8 per cent of government schools have access to computers. A solution that multiplies the power of one PC several fold – whithout a matching increase in cost – could go a long way in alleviating this situation. The Windows MultiPoint Server (WMS) launched by Microsoft India today does exactly this: it allows multiple users to simultaneously share one computer, thereby increasing access to affordable computing in educational scenarios like classrooms, labs and libraries. Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 is an operating system that allows multiple stations to draw their processing power from one traditional desktop PC, providing each student an independent monitor, keyboard and mouse.
Talking about shared computing technologies, Karan Bajwa, General Manager – Public Sector, Microsoft India, explained, “A few years ago, Microsoft reaserchers in India developed a technology that would allow multiple mice to be connected to one PC, transforming the power and impact of one machine. This paradigm was called MultiPoint, and it is today being implemented in schools across the world. The potential of MultiPoint – combined with our customers in education telling us that to help fulfill the amazing promise of technology in the classroom, they needed access to affordable computing that was easy to manage and use – has inspired us to work on other shared computing technologies. Windows MultiPoint Server is a solution that meets these needs and delivers an up-to-date, trusted Windows experience.”
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 comes with the endorsement and commitment of global partner Hewlett-Packard, with HP India announcing its MultiSeat Computing Solution based on the operating system with immediate availability in the Indian market. The solution allows upto 10 stations to be connected to one traditional PC via a simple USB device ‘Linksmart’. With this solution, a school in India can now look to increasing the power of its available computers at half the cost it would take to buy and run a conventional set-up.
Commenting on the launch of their solution, Rajat Mehta, Country Category Manager, DSO - PSG India, HP, said, “HP is helping educational institutions transform towards student-centered, personalized learning environments by leveraging technology in an affordable and sustainable way. Our offerings empower students to learn at their own pace anytime and anywhere, allow teachers to easily manage a classroom and free up IT managers from time-consuming maintenance. We are widening the circle of benefit of technology for more students through the HP MultiSeat Computing Solution which comprises of a host PC, the HP MultiSeat ms6000 PC, to be shared with up to 10 students, connected via the HP MultiSeat t100 Thin Client. Hence ensuring a technology-rich PC experience for every student in the classroom.”
The second and equally important part of increasing IT usage in schools is making it relevant. To make this possible, Microsoft work is working with education-specific ISVs including NIIT and Educomp to ship solutions for WMS.
The solution allows teachers to assign and distribute work assignments based on each student’s level and need, or establish a consistent experience, depending on the needs of the class. Students can work on individual projects and at their own pace, while finding, using and sharing information effectively, enhancing their productivity and learning experience. All this can be done within the classroom, since Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 was designed for non-technical professionals to set-up and manage. Additional benefits include the light management load for educational establishments since the stations don't have individual processors or storage. The same reason also makes this type of setup environmentally friendly since it requires less energy.
“Shared resource computing can multiply the number of student workstations available to schools, delivering more value while staying within the same budget,” said Bill Rust, research director at Gartner Inc. “Teachers can better align computing resources with instructional strategies while deploying fewer fully configured computers and reducing workstation support liabilities.”
o Benefit to students:
o
Each student gets an individual monitor and keyboard,
translating into hands-on experience for everybody
o
A familiar Windows environment
o
Students can
work on individual projects and at their own pace, while finding,
using and sharing information effectively, enhancing their productivity and
learning experience
o
Benefits for teachers:
o
Allows teachers to assign and distribute work
assignments based on each student’s level and need, or establish a
consistent experience, depending on the needs of the class.
o
Easily
manageable, since Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 was designed for
non-technical professionals to set-up and manage
o
Benefits for educational establishment:
o
The hardware cost is reduced by 50%. – a school
can effectively equip twice as many classrooms with the same budget
o
Light
management load
for educational establishments since the stations don't have individual
processors or storage.
o
The same
reason also makes this type of setup environmentally friendly since it
requires less energy.
About Microsoft India
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Microsoft Corporation (India) Private Ltd is a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation, USA. It has had a presence in India since 1990 and currently has offices in 13 cities - Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Indore, Jaipur, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune.