Wyse and Kaviza Join Forces to Deliver $99 Per Seat VDI, Shattering the Cost Barrier of Virtual Desktops for Small and Medium Businesses

Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for SMB Combines Wyse’s Most Popular, Award Winning Cloud Client Computing Solutions and Kaviza’s Breakthrough VDI Software, Creating the Lowest Cost and Most Open Desktop Virtualization Solution Package Options in the Industry

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – 26/05/2011 - Wyse Technology, the global leader in cloud client computing, and Kaviza, the leader in easy and affordable desktop virtualization for Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs), recently acquired by Citrix, announced today the immediate availability of Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for SMB – an ultra-low-cost virtual desktop solution, making it easier than ever for small and medium-sized businesses to realize the transformative benefits of desktop virtualization up to 250 users.  There are three different options for the Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI:

1. The breakthrough price of $99 per seat VDI enables SMBs to securely repurpose their existing PCs with Wyse PC Extender software and Kaviza VDI-in-a-box, to experience VDI at the lowest entry point available.

2. For SMB-level companies wanting improved performance with a green and economic thin client, Ingram Micro Inc., the world’s largest technology distributor, is offering a specially-priced 10-desktop pack of Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for SMB for $2,290 ECP that includes the new Wyse T50 thin clients and Kaviza VDI-in-a-box; enabling $229 per seat VDI.

3. For SMB-level companies wanting optimized security, manageability, performance and user experience, Ingram Micro Inc., is offering a specially-priced 10-desktop pack of Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for SMB for $3,290 ECP including the blistering fast Wyse C10LE thin clients and Kaviza VDI-in-a-box with built-in Kaviza Accelerator for Citrix HDX; enabling $329 per seat VDI. 

All packs will be available through Wyse and Kaviza resellers in the US.  With the recently announced Citrix acquisition of Kaviza, Citrix Solutions Advisors will also be able to offer the bundle starting July 1, 2011.

Unlike other low-cost VDI solutions that require lock-in to proprietary and non-scalable solutions to reduce costs, Wyse-Kaviza EZ VDI for SMB provides the functionality required to provide a rich user experience and ensure a scalable solution SMBs can grow with.

• Remove complexity and costs – EZ VDI for SMB eliminates the multiple moving parts and expensive shared storage usually required to provide a consistent, scalable, and highly-available virtual desktop environment. 

• Integrated easy setup - Whether setting up for 10 or 250 users, EZ VDI for SMB is easy and quick to deploy, requires an off-the-shelf server, and can be installed on leading hypervisors such as Citrix XenServer® and VMware vSphere.  Integrated and self-updating client endpoints mean users are given instant access to their desktops and administrators don’t have to worry about configuring, patching, updating, and securing client endpoints.

• High fidelity Citrix HDX experience - Leveraging Citrix HDX™ technology, which provides a high-definition user experience for any application, device or network, EZ VDI for SMB delivers better multimedia, USB support, multi-monitor handling and future-proofing than proprietary hardware-only clients. HDX technology provides network and performance optimizations to deliver the best user experience over any network including low-bandwidth and high-latency WAN connections.

These EZ VDI packs enable SMBs to use off-the-shelf server hardware from the server sizing guide, add Windows licenses, and reduce the total cost of VDI deployments to a level starting at $269 per seat, including basic server, storage and licensing costs. 

“There is demand within the SMB market for simple and affordable virtual desktop solutions. Ingram Micro is excited to partner with Wyse and Kaviza to bring to market a joint solution that specially caters to the SMB market,” says Scott Zahl, vice president and general manager of the Ingram Micro Advanced Computing Division, U.S.

"The complexity and sophistication of desktop virtualization has traditionally precluded the deployment of VDI in the SMB market," said Nathan Coutinho, virtualization solutions manager at CDW. "Our small business customers looking for the management, security and cost savings of desktop virtualization will benefit from the new option this collaborative partnership provides in the form of a VDI solution that greatly reduces the typical implementation and management concerns."

“SMBs told us they want VDI clients with flexibility, multiprotocol support, and no management or security issues to deal with, not a toy they’ll throw away in a year,” says Jeff McNaught, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer at Wyse Technology.  “Coupled with Kaviza VDI-in-a-box, the Wyse T50 and C10LE jointly deliver the best in class, most affordable VDI solution for SMBs.”

“SMB customers are seeking easy, affordable virtual desktop solutions that do not paint them into a corner.  Coupling Kaviza’s easy yet complete solution with Wyse zero clients takes VDI to the next level of simplicity without sacrificing core functionality.  We are pleased to partner with Wyse and share our vision of plug-and-play virtual desktops for the SMB market,” says Kumar K. Goswami, CEO Kaviza.

“Adoption of desktop virtualization by small- and medium-sized businesses is accelerating as these types of organizations quickly realize the benefits of reduced costs of desktop management and increased flexibility for users. Kaviza’s deep experience in the SMB market, combined with Wyse’s leadership in thin clients will give SMBs a compelling solution that is affordable, simple to deploy and delivers a rich high-definition user experience with Citrix HDX technology,” says John Fanelli, vice president of product marketing, Enterprise Desktops and Applications at Citrix.

For more information, please visit: http://smb.kaviza.com or http://webdev-us.wyse.com/smb/

Note: Citrix announced the acquisition of Kaviza on Monday, May 23, 2011, and plans to make VDI-in-a-box available through Citrix Solution Advisors beginning July 1 in addition to current channels.

About Wyse Technology

Wyse Technology is the global leader in Cloud Client Computing. The Wyse portfolio includes industry-leading thin, zero and cloud PC client solutions with advanced management, desktop virtualization and cloud software supporting desktops, laptops and next generation mobile devices. Cloud client computing replaces the outdated computing model of the unsecure, unreliable, energy-intensive and expensive PC, all while delivering lower TCO and a superior user experience. Wyse has shipped more than 20 million units and has over 200 million people interacting with their products each day, enabling the leading private, public, hybrid and government cloud implementations worldwide. Wyse partners with industry-leading IT vendors, including Cisco®, Citrix®, IBM®, Microsoft, and VMware® as well as globally-recognized distribution and service partners. Wyse is headquartered in San Jose, California, U.S.A., with offices worldwide. For more information, visit the Wyse website at http://webdev-us.wyse.com or call 1-800-GET-WYSE.

About Kaviza

Kaviza is the pioneer of simple, affordable end-to-end desktop virtualization. Kaviza has been recently acquired by Citrix, and the industry-leading all-in-one VDI-in-a-box solution will continue to be available from Citrix.  VDI-in-a-box a patent-pending grid architecture that lowers costs, eliminates the need for expensive infrastructures, and delivers rich high-definition user experience with Citrix HDX that can be accessed anytime, anywhere – including thin-clients and mobile devices such as the iPad. Kaviza VDI-in-a-box has been recognized as a “2011 Technology of the Year” by InfoWorld, CeBIT 2011 Innovation winner, one of the “Most Innovative Products of 2010” by CRN, “Best of VMworld 2010” in Desktop Virtualization, “Best of Synergy 2010” for Business Efficiency, and “Cool Vendor in Client Computing 2010” by Gartner. For more information, contact: kaviza.com.

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