The University of York has selected SunTM Secure Global Desktop software to provide 13,000 students and staff easy access to their applications from a wide variety of client devices. Improved security, reduced costs and a simplified IT infrastructure are only some of the benefits realized by York since adopting a centralized computing model and Sun software.

The university chose the Sun software to meet its growth needs, according to the Head of Infrastructure, Robert Demaine: "The Sun infrastructure will provide greatly enhanced flexibility for students and staff in terms of IT availability and will prove less complex to manage. Sun Secure Global Desktop software reduces cost and complexity by delivering applications from centrally managed servers to a wide range of client devices both on and off campus."

Demaine continues to say, "To improve our Student Network Services (SNS) and support our plans for future service delivery, we require a richer and more flexible IT environment." The SNS provides direct network connections from all on campus accommodations, about 3500 dorm rooms. Students residing in the dorms can access email, the Internet, a central file storage system, FTP and usenet. And now students will be able to use virtually any device with a JavaTM-enabled browser to securely access a rich portfolio of applications over the SNS as well.

Sun Secure Global Desktop software delivers applications through a virtualized desktop environment to existing desktop systems, laptops, Sun RayTM virtual display clients, other thin clients and mobile devices. It can access many applications, including those running on Microsoft Windows, SolarisTM Operating System (Solaris OS), Linux, HP-UX, AIX and mainframe systems.

Highlights of Sun Secure Global Desktop Software for Users

Sun Secure Global Desktop software provides secure, portable access to applications and data. Applications look and feel as if they were running on the user’s client device, so you can print and save files locally. Users can suspend running application sessions and resume them later from any supported client device. The easy to use browser-based interface provides a user friendly experience. The software optimizes for available bandwidth and intelligently adapts the data sent to the client device.

Ease for Systems Administrators

Administrators of Sun Secure Global Desktop software can ensure that only authorized users access applications and data, establishing identity through leading authentication mechanisms such as RSA SecureID and integrating with corporate standards such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), UNIX passwords, and Microsoft Active Directory.

The architecture of the software allows applications to be deployed on centrally-managed application servers. This model shifts the complexity of IT management away from individual desktop computers and into the data center, where it is more easily controlled and monitored. Introducing new applications or upgrading existing applications becomes a simple matter of modifying a few central application servers. All clients can instantly utilize the new software without any need for changes to their devices.

Sun Secure Global Desktop Software Meeting Needs of Universities

Ovum, a provider of research, advisory and consulting services on and to the global Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) sectors, commended the University of York's selection of Sun Secure Global Desktop software. Gary Barnett, research director of Ovum's open source issues and intellectual property and on-demand technology said, "Universities, in particular, have to support a user base with a huge range of requirements and levels of technical abilities, which means that the task of providing a flexible, reliable and manageable user experience is all the more challenging. The University of York’s selection of Sun’s Secure Global Desktop represents another valuable proof-point for potential adopters."

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