NComputing's solution lets multiple users share a single PC and save money and electricity

Chief executive Stephen Dukker said the company is developing a new access device for subscription computing, which comes with Voice over IP technology and allows users to connect to a network. The company will collaborate with Internet service providers (ISPs) in each country that it operates in to provide Internet access through the new device.

The company is currently testing subscription computing along with ISPs in Russia, China and India before it officially announces the new business model and products to the global market by 2012.

The company also has plans to announce a new notebook computer that uses on Wi-Fi technology and 3G technology, and costs between $100 and $125. The product will hit the market late next year.

Dukker said the company already sells an access device, called NComputing, in the market. NComputing comes with desktop virtualisation technology and allows a single PC to serve multiple users, each with their own monitor, keyboard, and mouse. It is easy to deploy and maintain, he said.

The access device itself has no CPU, memory or moving parts. It consumes between 1 watt and 5 watts of electricity and weighs only 150 grams. Its virtualisation software works with standard Windows and Linux PCs and servers. Each monitor, keyboard and mouse is connected to the shared PC through a small and reliable NComputing access device. The devices also do not generate heat.

The device currently comes in two product families - the L-series and X series. The X- series provides ultimate multimedia performance. It uses a direct connector cable 10 meters long between the shared PC and the users. It supports up to five users and will be able to support seven users by next year. The X-series is available at $70 per user. 

The L-series uses standard Ethernet infrastructure and delivers Web-based multimedia. It supports up to 30 users on a high-end PC and costs about $150 per user.

The company has sold more than 750,000 NComputing units worldwide. The United States contributed toward 30 per cent of the sales of the company, 70 per cent of was sold to the education sector. It sold around 60 per cent of all units sold in emerging markets and developing countries and 10 per cent to other countries.

Dukker said that in the Thai market, the company is working with Siam Network & Computing as a local distributor, which provides low-cost virtual desktop computing to Thai businesses and organisations in various industries such as education, the private sector and healthcare organisations.

"We have an opportunity to distribute our products in Thailand, which is a high-potential market. We expect growth to double in this market by next year," he said.

Siam Network & Computing managing director Wichai Amatamahutana said the company last year sold 10,000 NComputing devices in the government, education and enterprise markets. It will focus on the education and government market this year and expects to double its business by next year. 

Dukker said NComputing has sold its products to more than 20,000 organisations in 90 countries including India, the US, Malaysia, Thailand and China. NComputing helps reduce electricity consumption by 90 per cent and reduce maintenance cost by about 75 per cent. The company has invested about $40 million in research and development over five years to create new products and technology.