Sun Microsystems today announced the availability of a new cloud-based Desktop as a Service for educational institutions. Sun and Ashbourne Technology Group are now offering a secure, cost-effective computing solution delivered anytime, anywhere via the Internet that provides a rich, virtual desktop experience for all leading Operating Systems, including Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, Linux and Solaris to nearly any client device, including Sun Ray thin clients and other platforms with Java-based browsers.

The Sun Ray device's zero-maintenance and 4-5 watt power draw makes it one of the greenest desktop solutions on the market today. Sun also offers the Sun Ray technology with built-in VPN security so that parents, teachers and administrators can feel secure about the privacy and security of students on the network. The Sun Desktop as a Service solution, part of Sun's education solutions portfolio, is a subscription-based service available for purchase immediately for as little as $1.00 per day per user.

"Our new offering delivers the benefits of the emerging cloud computing model to the school desktop, providing huge savings for cash-strapped school systems," said Joe Hartley, vice president of Government, Education and Healthcare Sales, Sun Microsystems. "This is a full-function solution with no compromises to what students, teachers and administrators are used to today. With this new offering, they can easily and quickly access a common and familiar desktop environment on thin clients via the Internet -- in the classroom, library, at home or virtually anywhere -- without the management and maintenance costs and hassles of OS upgrades, security patches, bug fixes or storage backups. Those services are built into our low subscription price."

Sun has joined efforts with Ashbourne to deliver the new desktop computing service specifically optimized for the needs of K-12 schools and community colleges. The service is competitively priced and in select cases can be purchased by leveraging American Recovery and Reinvestment or eRate program funds.

"Schools can escape from the desktop replacement cycle saving thousands of dollars per year while providing better access to need-to-know information. Plus, there are benefits to preserving the equipment you already have and keeping the familiar desktop environment, but now delivering it anytime and to anywhere," said Ivan Segal, chief executive officer from Ashbourne Technology Group, a Sun partner and service provider. "The Sun Desktop as a Service solution makes a lot of sense from a business and manageability standpoint."

Sun is working with its customers and partners worldwide to build and deploy public and private clouds that are open and interoperable. The Sun Open Cloud Platform, powered by Sun's industry-leading software, hardware and storage, delivers cost-effective, scalable cloud infrastructure. More information on Sun's cloud technologies is available at sun.com/cloud.

For more information about Sun's advanced Sun Ray ultra-thin client technology or how Sun is helping schools to utilize the network to advance learning, as well as save time and money, go to www.sun.com/education.