King of Prussia, PA, November 10, 2011 – Devon IT, a leading provider of thin client and VDI hardware and software solutions, today announced the availability of free VDI Blaster™ software for any current Dell healthcare customers. This offer is valid for 20 copies of VDI Blaster™ available through November 30, 2011.

Devon IT VDI Blaster™ is the most popular software tool that enables a PC to act as a thin client currently available in the growing VDI market. VDI Blaster™ converts PCs into secure and centrally manageable desktop appliances, enables organizations of all sizes to realize benefits of thin client computing, and extends capital investment in PCs. VDI Blaster™ offers the benefits of a thin client at a smaller cost than a new device.

There are many benefits that VDI Blaster™ offers. Once a PC reaches the end of its useful life, VDI Blaster™ provides a simple plug-and-play solution to transform the PC into a thin client, which is still able to run Windows OS and applications. It also allows the PCs to return to their previous state if necessary. It minimizes the risk of switching to a fully virtualized architecture. VDI Blaster™ makes centrally-managed desktops possible, which reduces risk and allows for synchronized system updates. Devon IT VDI Blaster™ will connect thin clients to Microsoft Terminal Services, shared services, and virtual desktops from Citrix XenDesktop, Microsoft, or VMware View.

“Devon IT thin client VDI solutions, available through Dell, meet the requirements of accuracy and immediacy for the healthcare sector with secure computing solutions,” says Joe Makoid, President, Devon IT. “Our offer of free VDI Blaster™ will help healthcare organizations of all sizes test the benefits of VDI solutions that offer true mobility for healthcare providers. This includes mobile clinical computing solutions such as medical carts. Devon IT is running this promotion to expose customers to the power of virtualizing desktops. By centralizing the management of all client devices, organizations can reduce operational cost by up to 50% while implementing leading virtual desktop approaches.”

VDI Blaster™ can be managed by Devon IT Echo™ – a universal thin client management software platform. Devon IT Echo™ ties everything together and is compatible with the entire Devon IT software stack. It manages every device running Devon IT VDI Blaster™ software and comes included with each VDI Blaster™ license. Features of Echo™ are thin client system image updates, maintenance and management functionality, including inventory, status, and remote service, as well as profiling, logging, and shadowing.

“Dell’s healthcare customers will be able to experience the value of virtualization that some of the world’s largest corporations and organizations are already seeing,” concluded Makoid. “We are committed to expanding the market potential for server-based and virtual technologies, and are thrilled to share this offer.”

Dell has taken virtualization in healthcare to the next level through “Powering the Possible.” Dell donated virtualization technology that will aid in the reduction in time-to-targeted treatment for cancer. To see more about their generous and cutting-edge donation, visit http://content.dell.com/us/en/corp/d/campaigns/dell-healthcare-giving.aspx.

Healthcare organizations should contact their Dell sales representative to confirm eligibility for this program. For more information about virtual desktop hardware and software solutions orderable through Dell, or to schedule a private demonstration, email info@devonit.com or call 610-757-4220 or 888-524-9382. For more information about Devon IT DeTOS, Echo™, and VDI Blaster™, please visit www.devonit.com/software.

Keep a look out for our next sneak peak video!

Questions or comments? Let us know!

King of Prussia, PA, October 17, 2011 – Devon IT, a leading provider of thin client and VDI hardware and software solutions, today announced at Educause the availability of free VDI Blaster™ software for any current Dell K-12 and higher education customers. This offer is valid for 20 copies of VDI Blaster™ available through November 30, 2011.

Devon IT VDI Blaster™ is the most popular software tool that enables a PC to act as a thin client currently available in the growing VDI market. VDI Blaster™ converts PCs into secure and centrally manageable desktop appliances, enables organizations of all sizes to realize benefits of thin client computing, and extends capital investment in PCs. VDI Blaster™ offers the benefits of a thin client at a smaller cost than a new device.

There are many benefits that VDI Blaster™ offers. Once a PC reaches the end of its useful life, VDI Blaster™ provides a simple plug-and-play solution to transform the PC into a thin client, which is still able to run Windows OS and applications. It also allows the PCs to return to their previous state if necessary. It minimizes the risk of switching to a fully virtualized architecture. VDI Blaster™ makes centrally-managed desktops possible, which reduces risk and allows for synchronized system updates. Devon IT VDI Blaster™ will connect thin clients to Microsoft Terminal Services, shared services, and virtual desktops from Citrix XenDesktop, Microsoft, or VMware View.

“Virtualized desktop computing is gaining momentum in the education market as a cost-effective, secure, and manageable way to gain the advantage of a thin client in PC environments, and Devon IT is leading the charge,” says Joe Makoid, President, Devon IT. “Our offer of free VDI Blasters will help schools of all sizes realize the benefits of a VDI solution. Devon IT is running this promotion to expose customers to the power of virtualizing desktops with Dell servers and storage. By centralizing the management of all client devices, users will reduce operational cost by up to 50% while implementing leading virtual desktop approaches. This promotion will allow customers to test the VDI environment with very little upfront cost.”

VDI Blaster™ can be managed by Devon IT Echo™ – a universal thin client management software platform. Devon IT Echo™ ties everything together and is compatible with the entire Devon IT software stack. It manages every device running Devon IT VDI Blaster™ software and comes included with each VDI Blaster™ license. Features include thin client system image updates, maintenance and management functionality, including inventory, status, and remote service as well as profiling, logging, and shadowing.

“Customers will be able to experience the value of some of the world’s largest banks and corporations are already seeing,” concluded Makoid. “We are committed to expanding the market potential for server-based and virtual technologies, and are thrilled to share this offer to Dell customers at Educause.”

School districts, colleges and universities should contact their Dell sales representative to confirm eligibility for this program. For more information about virtual desktop hardware and software solutions orderable through Dell, or to schedule a private demonstration, email info@devonit.com or call 610-757-4220 or 888-524-9382. For more information about Devon IT DeTOS, Echo™, and VDI Blaster™, please visit www.devonit.com/software.

Phil Glover, a Devon IT sales engineer, outlines VDI Blaster™ in the first installment of the “Software Education Series.” VDI Blaster™ is software that turns PCs into thin clients, and Glover discusses how to download the software via USB/CD, full hard drive installation, or dual-boot. Going forward, Glover will answer technical questions asked by the VDI community and customers.

“Technology pros and executives in companies from all industries routinely ask us questions about our products, the VDI space, and how we’re helping Dell focus their virtual desktop solutions efforts,” says Makoid. “Videos are a quick and engaging outlet for us to help answer these questions. Our goal with these video series is to perpetuate the online conversation around thin clients and virtualization and help communicate the benefits of switching from the pure desktop PC model.”

For more information about virtual desktop hardware and software solutions orderable through Dell, or to schedule a private demonstration, email info@devonit.com or call 610-757-4220 or 888-524-9382.
About Devon IT

Devon IT, Inc, (www.devonit.com) is an information technology company that offers advanced thin client hardware and software for alternative desktop solutions. The company’s products and services provide enterprise customers with greater security, enhanced manageability, improved reliability, and lower costs. Devon IT develops products that support Dell’s virtual desktop computing solutions, and all of its products are orderable from Dell. Devon IT is also the creator of VDI Blaster™ (www.vdiblaster.com), a software suite that transforms existing Windows® PCs into virtual desktops. Engage with Devon IT online through its technical blog, “Thin Tank” (http://www.devonit.com/blog), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/devonit), on Twitter @DevonIT and @jmakoid, and on YouTube (www.youtube.com/thinclienttv).

© Copyright 2011. All company, brand, or product names are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders

Per our customer requests, we have created a “Software Education Series” with our software engineer, Phil Glover.  If you have questions about VDI Blaster or our Echo Management software, Phil will answer your questions.  The first video shows the three easy installation options VDI Blaster offers.

Keep a lookout for our upcoming videos.  And let us know what topics you’d like us to cover.

Everyone seemed most impressed with the return on investment for VDI Blaster.  They loved that the three installation options allowed for flexibility in squeezing the last few years out of old machinery.  While we spoke with customers, the overwhelming favorite attribute of VDI Blaster Dell edition turned out to be the ease of transition.   Connections from industries such as healthcare, higher education and law firms all seemed to love the low cost of migration VDI Blaster Dell edition provided.  They were also pleased with the opportunity to get comfortable with desktop virtualization before adding the Dell hardware into the VDI solution.

As the 9^th inning ended and Kauffman Stadium celebrated the Royals victory, some final pleasantries and conversations served to strengthen the Devon IT and Dell bonds created throughout the night.  We look forward to working with all of them soon!

First, it is very important to test VDI solutions.  Devon IT offers a great way to do this with our VDI Blaster Software.  We developed VDI to be a simple, cost effective way to re-purpose PCs into thin clients.  However, it has evolved into much more than that.  One of the ways our customers are using VDI Blaster is as a test platform for VDI and virtual desktop computing.  This way you can test scalability, manageability, latency network issues, and application compatibility.  Finally, you can test whether PC re-purposing is a viable strategy for you.  VDI Blaster can maintain your Windows OS while running VDI Blaster in a seprarte partition.  This is a very easy and basic way of testing comparative performance.  Using VDI Blaster along with our Echo management platform can help you understand, in your own environment, how VDI will work.  And you can test VDI without breaking the bank.

The other way is to read and research VDI through current publications and on the net.  Once great starting point (which we have already mentioned and continue to give away to customers) is a short book by Michael Fox called DeMystifying the Virtual Desktop: Starting with Desktop Virtualization.  There are plenty of great articles, blogs, research reports and technical books available but this one is a great starting point.

It’s time to blast off to a new VDI world!

Joe Makoid
President
Devon IT

Read Devon IT’s technical blog “Thin Tank” at http://www.devonit.com/blog and follow Devon IT on Twitter @DevonIT and @jmakoid.

Devon is offering a Webinar series detailing the many features of dells new vdi solutions

This Webinar will clearly defines the key benefits of using the new VDI solutions from, and simplifies how virtual desktop infrastructure can help them improve IT standards.

By leveraging our partnerships with leading companies such as Dell and Mainline, we look forward to helping companies take advantage of the tremendous potential of VDI. Coupled with thin client technology, it is clear that VDI is the future of corporate IT.

Some of the topics we will cover include: The new new Dell thin clients, The new Echo Dell edition management software, DeTOS Dell edition, WES 2009 and WES 7,
VDI Blaster dell edition

Subject matter experts will help simplify and explain these offerings including the fit, the scalability, and the ROI

Tune in for a fast paced and informative webinars. Sessions will be help on Thursday June 18 and Thursday June 23.

This, and other industry news from Microsoft, VMware and others means that VDI is fast becoming the preferred approach to corporate desktops. We have be touting the benefits of hosted and virtual desktops for years, (security, lower TCO, manageability, flexibility etc.,) but there have been perceived drawbacks from certain end users and customers. Today, however, the drawbacks are gone and the benefits clearly outweigh and lingering prejudgements. Thin client endpoint devics are more powerful that ever (see the Dell FX170) have a robust selection of operating systems (such as DeTOS or Windows Embedded) are easily and effectively managed (such as Devon IT Echo) and come with full support from the leading desktop companies (Dell and others).

In addition, Citrix, Microsoft and VMware have made VDI a clear priority and customers can expect continued advancements in remoting protocols and useability across the network. Finally, the transition to VDI now includes the ability to repurpose PCs with products such as our VDI Blaster.

For anyone looking at VDI solutions for any size company or organization, the time has never been better.

Read more news about the Dell announcement on the Devon IT News Page.

Follow Devon IT on Twitter
@DevonIT and @jmakoid

Dell Expands Desktop Virtualization Solutions Portfolio

• Customized Virtual Lab 2.0 available for colleges and universities
• New Dell OptiPlex FX170 and FX130 thin clients complement Dell Desktop Virtualization Solutions, a solution portfolio designed to help organizations quickly deploy desktop virtualization
• Simplified management and security creates added benefits and ease of implementation for IT teams

ROUND ROCK, Texas, May 25, 2011 – Dell today announced additions to its desktop virtualization solutions portfolio including an enhanced Dell Virtual Lab 2.0 solution and new Dell OptiPlex FX170 and FX130 thin client offerings. The new Virtual Lab 2.0 solution, designed for colleges and universities, now comes with validation testing on six of the most popular applications, affording students and faculty the freedom to access secure, lab-based software virtually anytime, anywhere and from any device. The new OptiPlex thin client solutions, designed for organizations such as, education, financial, healthcare and retail, offer seamless connectivity for organizations that have implemented or plan to implement a desktop virtualization infrastructure.

The new desktop virtualization offerings will complement the recently launched Dell Desktop Virtualization Solutions (DDVS), a comprehensive solution portfolio that leverages pre-packaged services with configured and tested hardware and software to deliver the datacenter architecture necessary to provide desktop virtualization capabilities. DDVS addresses the design and implementation complexities associated with desktop virtualization and accelerates it so organizations can adapt to the changing dynamics of today’s more mobile and efficient global workforce.

Dell Virtual Lab 2.0

Whether you’re a student, faculty member or administrator, there is a need for anytime access to data and applications bringing increased expectations of support from IT staff. Desktop virtualization can help by delivering easy management, disaster recovery and flexibility, while allowing access to information virtually anytime and anywhere – in an office, on campus or at home.

Virtual Lab 2.0 takes the advantages of the solution one step further by addressing the need for improved application accessibility and creates increased global learning opportunities. It comes with validation testing on six leading applications used on campuses, with seven more anticipated to be completed by the end of the year. Applications include Adobe Premiere Pr CS3, AutoCad 2DLT, Wolfram Mathmatica 7, Mathworks MatLab, SAS and IBM SPSS.

Dell OptiPlex FX170 and FX130 Thin Clients

The new OptiPlex thin client solutions offer mobile, contract, remote and task workers connectivity within a desktop virtualization infrastructure. The FX170 is designed for knowledge-based workers focused on multimedia and content creation, while the FX130 is ideal for application and task-based environments.  The solutions provide the following features:

• Productivity and Connectivity designed for quick and easy deployment and management with optional support for dual monitors;
• Business Class Control by allowing IT to centrally manage data and images in the data center;
• Reliable and flexible fan-less systems and with no moving parts are designed for a long life of service and as the smallest OptiPlex systems at less than 1.5 inches wide and weighing less than 1.5 pounds, are designed to fit in a variety of environments; and,
• Dell ProSupport comes standard for simple, quick hardware replacement.

Dell offers a comprehensive set of software solutions to improve the manageability and control of the new OptiPlex thin clients. These solutions, including Devon IT Echo™ Management Console Dell Edition and Devon IT DeTOS Dell Edition, provide support for Microsoft Windows Embedded and DeTOS thin clients and allow access to Citrix XenApp or XenDesktop, Microsoft Remote Desktop Services, VMware View™ and web-based applications. Additionally, Devon IT VDI Blaster Dell Edition supports a wide array PCs while maximizing life and extending capital investments by allowing quick conversion to a thin client system.

Dell OptiPlex 390 Desktop

Dell also announced the availability of the OptiPlex 390, the newest member of OptiPlex business desktop PC family complementing the OptiPlex 990 and 790.  The 390 features minitower, desktop, small form-factor chassis with an optional all-in-one stand.  The system offers essential productivity for organizations that need affordable in-band management with a minimum 20 month product life-cycle management and stability, including newly added Global Standard Platforms in this product class. In addition to supporting second generation Intel® iCore™ processors, the 390 offers a minimum of 10 percent post-consumed recycled plastic chassis and recyclable packaging.

Dell Services
Dell offers a comprehensive set of services that help customers automate the deployment and management of thin clients, commercial laptops, mobile devices and desktops, as well as the ability to securely dispose of outdated or retired assets. Examples include:

• Deployment Services - Designed to simplify and accelerate the customization and utilization of new systems. Dell Deployment Services include everything from order consolidation to coordination of deployment resources.
• ProSupport Services - Designed to minimize disruptions and maintain high levels of productivity across end-user PCs. Dell Support Services help protect client investments and free businesses from IT maintenance so they can focus on running their business.

Quotes

“Our goal is to make the kinds of software products accessible to students from their dorm room to their home or when they’re traveling on the road. By providing a desktop virtual solution where students leverage their own technology, we are able to extend the boundaries beyond the campus. By working with Dell, we believe that we’re going to create something that will not only work for University of Maryland, but for the higher education system as a whole,” said John Seuss, VP for Information Technology, University of Maryland.

“With Virtual Lab 2.0, we’re bringing a set of solutions that faculty and administrators have told us are particularly difficult to manage in a virtual environment and have now made them easy to implement. Students increasingly need access to data and curriculum. Virtual Lab 2.0 enhances their tools and gives them access regardless of where they are and what device they use.” John Mullen, vice president, Global Education, Dell.

“Dell is one of the only IT vendors in the world to deliver end-to-end desktop virtualization capabilities that span data center and end-user technologies,” said Steven Lalla, vice president and general manager of Commercial Client Product Group, Dell. “The OptiPlex thin clients are designed to deliver the reliability, productivity and business-class control of a traditional OptiPlex system in an organization’s desktop virtualization environment.”

Pricing and Availability:

• With availability on May 26 in the U.S. and Western Europe, the starting price for the Dell OptiPlex FX170 is $449 USD and $349 USD for the OptiPlex FX130.  The OptiPlex 390 is available now with a starting price of $ $671 USD.

Additional information:

• Dell Higher Ed – The Connected Campus
• Dell Image Gallery
• Inside Enterprise IT Dell Blog
• Dell OptiPlex
• Efficient Workforce
• Dell Services
• Dell on Twitter

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ: DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services that give them the power to do more. For more information, visit www.dell.com.

Dell and Dell OptiPlex are trademarks of Dell Inc. Dell disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.

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Partners Comment on Dell’s Enhanced Desktop Virtualization Portfolio

“With the launch of Dell’s broader portfolio of thin client devices, customers can leverage the power of Citrix XenDesktop to tailor their desktop virtualization solutions to achieve their specific end-user needs. Dell’s new OptiPlex thin clients specifically have been verified as HDX Ready, giving mutual customers added assurance that they are compatible with Citrix desktop virtualization solutions,” said Joe Keller, vice president, community and alliance marketing at Citrix.

“Devon IT is committed to providing industry-leading virtual desktop technology for users. When a market and technology leader such Dell is progressing virtual desktop computing solutions and collaborates with industry leading software vendors it is obvious that something exciting is happening.  We have always been proponents of server-centric computing and centralized management as a way for IT managers to reduce costs dramatically. These new Dell OptiPlex thin client solutions provide Dell’s customers an easy and cost-effective way to implement complete VDI solutions from one source.  We are excited and proud to be working with an industry leader such as Dell,” explained Joe Makoid, President, Devon IT.

“Microsoft Desktop Virtualization solutions provide customers with the flexibility to access their applications, data, and a rich Windows desktop from anywhere. The launch of Dell’s broader portfolio of thin client devices, enhanced by Microsoft RemoteFX for a local-like remote user experience, gives organizations additional deployment flexibility at the end point when leveraging the power of Microsoft Desktop Virtualization,” said Mike Schutz, Senior Director of Windows Server and Virtualization, at Microsoft.

“The new Dell OptiPlex thin client devices alongside the Dell Desktop Virtualization Solutions portfolio will help joint customers take advantage of a complete virtual desktop infrastructure that frees end users and IT organizations from a dated and complex device-centric computing model,” said Chris Young, vice president and general manager, End-User Computing, VMware. “Together with VMware View™, VMware and Dell are providing a clear path for organizations to rapidly deploy a modern, end-user computing architecture that helps change the role of IT from a cost center to a center of strategic value.”

Follow Devon IT on Twitter
@DevonIT and @jmakoid