C1 Systems enrols in sixth form college

Virtualisation specialist wins deal to replace more than 200 PCS at Barrow-in-Furness Sixth Form College

Virtualisation VAR C1 Systems has bagged a contract to replace more than 200 desktop PCs at Barrow-in-Furness Sixth Form College with its virtual desktop solutions.

Using NComputing thin-client technology, the aim is to replace every PC on the campus by 2016.

Currently 75 computers have been replaced under the deal, which is for an undisclosed sum.

The college claims the deal is set to reduce its PC replacement budget by 58 per cent over five years.

Simon Greer, sales manager at C1 Systems, said: "We were initially approached for a price on an alternative thin-client product. However, on speaking with Barrow-in-Furness Sixth Form, it fast became apparent that the N-series would offer better performance for a fraction of the price."

Mark Pilgrim, vice president for EMEA at NComputing, said the thin clients need less support and energy than PCs.

"As well as providing desktop computers at a fraction of the purchase price of a traditional PC, NComputing solutions require 75 per cent less support and maintenance and consume significantly less energy," he claimed. "NComputing devices use less than five watts of electricity compared to 45 to 120 watts for a PC; an important advantage when IT budgets are stretched, but often there is money set aside for energy-saving projects."

The college's IT manager Darren Stevens said the budget no longer provides for "cumbersome" PCs.

He added: "With the move to virtual applications, cloud deployments, mobile working and BYOD, the need for simple, low-cost, high-performance end points has never been more important. We simply cannot support cumbersome and expensive PCs, there simply is not the budget or the resources."