Devon IT has announced its O-VDI program that offers deeply discounted pricing on Devon IT thin client desktop devices to participants in the University System of Ohio Virtualization Program.

The University System of Ohio Virtualization Program, announced in January 2009, is a three-year purchasing aggregation initiative with the potential of saving Ohio colleges and universities more than $130 million. The agreement gives the Ohio Academic Resources Network [OARnet] – the University System of Ohio's technology operations arm – the unlimited ability to license industry leader VMware’s full suite of state-of-the art virtualization software and technological support services.

The O-VDI discounted pricing also applies to other state agencies and school districts. By combining Devon IT's thin clients with VMware software such as VMware View™, the University System of Ohio can be equipped with cost-effective desktop solutions that help enable the management, security, flexibility and deployment benefits of virtualized desktop environment.

“Our O-VDI program combines Devon IT’s thin clients with VMware software to equip the University System of Ohio with cost-effective desktop solutions that enable the management, security, flexibility and deployment benefits of virtualized desktop environments,” said Joe Makoid, president, Devon IT. “Especially in these challenging economic times, IT administrators need to be certain that their solutions offer the highest levels of compatibility and flexibility. We are pleased to make Devon IT’s thin clients available at the lowest possible price in order to enhance the benefits of the University System of Ohio Virtualization Program.”

“Education technology professionals constantly face usability, manageability and budgetary challenges,” says Michael King, IBM, Vice President, Global Education. “Devon IT’s virtual desktop solution uses a centralized IT approach to lower costs and improve manageability. Devon’s thin client solutions combined with VMware’s virtualized desktop will help the University System of Ohio reduce operating costs while enabling schools to affordably provide desktop technology to the campus community, as well as streamline business operations.”

"Offering discounted Devon IT thin clients with VMware View™, the industry-leading desktop virtualization solution, helps the Ohio University System not only meet the objectives of its virtualization program, but it also heightens its commitment to green IT," said Jerry Chen, senior director of desktop virtualization, VMware. "The combination of Devon IT's thin clients and VMware View helps equip these schools with a flexible, cost-effective desktop solution that also uses less energy.”

All Devon IT’s products, including desktop, mobile and specialized thin client solutions that support any end-user requirement, are included in the O-VDI program. All products carry an IBM part number and are orderable through IBM and authorized Devon IT resellers.

The entire Devon IT product line is also VMware Ready™ Certified. This designation indicates that Devon IT’s thin clients have met the testing criteria to be VMware Ready Certified for VMware View™ and are now listed on the VMware View Compatibility Guide. The VMware Thin Client Certification Program enables thin client vendors who are VMware Technology Alliance Partner (TAP) program members to provide mutual customers with a jointly supported virtual desktop solution.