Wyse used the Cisco Live event in London to preview Project Pyramid, which "brings unprecedented simplicity to the management of virtual desktops."It's said the software will enable Wyse to deliver a complete "self-configuring" line of thin clients, including those running Windows Embedded Standard 7, Wyse-enhanced SUSE Linux, or Wyse's own ThinOS.

According to Wyse, the technology will be offered first on the Windows-based Z90 (right), which was announced at the end of last month. (The device uses two of AMD's embedded-specific G-Series processors: either the single-core, 1.5GHz T52R or the dual-core, 1.6GHz T56N.)

Few specifics were released about Project Pyramid, but Wyse says it has applied for multiple patents on the technology. Customers will be able to deploy thin clients automatically, in quantities ranging from just a few to tens of thousands, the company claims.

Wyse says thin clients may be stationary, mobile, office or home-based. On startup, user logon, or whenever instructed by Wyse management software, they'll automatically be updated to the latest firmware and desired configuration, according to the company. On Windows-based devices, Microsoft's write-filtering technology provides an extra measure of security, the company adds.

Param Desai, senior director of product management for Wyse, stated, "There have always been significant benefits to the idea of desktop virtualization, but not always the tools to deploy such solutions simply and effectively. Ease of use and simplicity are the next great innovations in VDI and we feel that Project Pyramid is a great step in that direction."

Natalie Lambert, director of product marketing for Enterprise Desktops and Applications at Citrix, stated, "As desktop virtualization goes mainstream, our customers can deliver enterprise desktops and apps to users using any device, anywhere. To do this, customers are asking for faster and simpler deployment options. Project Pyramid enables customers to roll out desktop virtualization to tens of thousands of users, with the confidence that their devices will work."

Further information

According to Wyse, Project Pyramid will be available during the first quarter for Windows Embedded Standard 7 thin clients, and during the second quarter for Windows Embedded Standard 2009. A release schedule for SuSE Linux and ThinOS was not provided.

The only mention of the technology we could find on the company's website at the time of writing was on the Z90 product page.

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