Dell ships secure, managed ultra-mobile Cloud-access device

Dell has announced the availability of Dell Wyse Cloud Connect, an ultra-compact and highly mobile cloud-access device that instantly delivers desktop virtualization and personal cloud services to any HDMI- or MHL-enabled display. The pocket-size device delivers a full-HD experience with enterprise-level security, manageability and reliability. Organisations of any size can now deliver streaming cloud services and IT solutions in a cost-effective, mobile offering for work, home and on the go.

“Cloud Connect is among the most cutting-edge mobile thin client solutions that we have tested at our labs,” said Joseph Korah, Senior Director and Head of Kochi Operations, Cognisant. “With its ability to work seamlessly with Citrix, Microsoft and VMware environments, the solution holds great potential for the futuristic enterprise that is looking for ways to improve productivity at work and on the go for its enterprise workforce.”

“IT organisations want to be able to deliver a rich user experience through cost-effective and reliable devices without sacrificing security and manageability,” said Bob O’Donnell, Founder and Chief Analyst at TECHnalysis Research. “At the same time, many end users want an easy, simple way to get access to their corporate applications and data wherever they happen to be. Cloud Connect is an innovative solution to address these customer needs.”

An Entirely New Smart Connected Device
Cloud Connect represents a new end-user device category that bridges thin clients and mobile devices as part of Dell Cloud Client-Computing’s end-to-end desktop virtualization solutions portfolio. The extremely compact, secure, cloud-managed device with a low total cost of ownership (TCO) supports multiple use cases including mobile workers, students, digital signage, kiosks and other space-constrained environments. Specific customer benefits include:
· Quick and secure access for mobile and remote workers to virtual desktops and a variety of cloud assets including content, applications, virtual desktops and IT support
· Easy remote connections to personal computers running Microsoft Windows OS or Apple Mac OS to access data, content or applications
· Plug-and-play interactive presentations run in full-HD directly from the cloud or device, on any compatible display
· Pocket-size, battery-free alternative in the event of loss, theft, or failure of primary devices
· Cost-effective virtual desktop for the education market, extending application and data access in classrooms, libraries, labs or at home
· Digital signage solution with simplified, remote management for airports, retailers, hospitality, or other organisations
· Personal cloud access to online entertainment, gaming, apps and rich content on large displays

“Cloud Connect is very compact, merely the size of a wireless network card, but it is powerful enough to project a virtual desktop on any TV screen with a HDMI or MHL controller, using any ordinary tablet or mobile device,” said Wang Jing, General Manager of New Energy Division, State Grid Information & Telecommunication Company Ltd., State Grid Electric Power Research Institute, China. “We find this extremely useful in our delivery of refined product terminals. Moreover, we are now using Cloud Connect as an entrance portal to support our various projects, especially those around which we are researching methods such as tracing end-data queries to ensure product quality, displaying our new products at user terminals, etc.”

According to IDC, the smart connected-device market grew 30.4 percent in 2012 and global shipments are expected to surpass 1.7 billion by 2014. By 2017, IDC expects that shipments will surpass 2.3 billion units and revenue will reach $748.6 billion¹. These numbers illustrate a powerful and ongoing disruption in how users communicate and interact with their professional and personal content, driven by trends such as BYOD, mobile app development, social media and cloud computing.

Cloud Connect represents a new category of smart connected device and is the only device of its kind that is seamlessly integrated into a secure, controlled, end-to-end desktop virtualization portfolio that includes:
· Software for mobile device and application management and control with Dell Wyse Cloud Client Manager
· Flexible desktop virtualization solutions from Dell partners Citrix, Microsoft and VMware
· Personal cloud access to files and apps through Dell Wyse PocketCloud
· Global customer support expertise through Dell ProSupport for Cloud

“Small, smart and secure; Cloud Connect is a disruptive device,” said Steve Lalla, vice president and general manager for Dell Cloud Client-Computing. “We unlock new options for our customers to access their data and applications by combining mobility, manageability and security with a powerful user experience at an affordable price-point.”