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Tsukuba Science CityThin Client SolutionVirtual PC Center enhances data security and IT resource efficiency of municipal offices. Now 1000 staff members conveniently share 700 virtualized client PCs

At a glance

How can client PCs and data, dispersed over departments and branch offices, be efficiently managed while enhancing security levels? This is a common concern for many corporations and municipalities. Tsukuba City of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan, found its solution in desktop virtualization. The city chose to implement NEC's Virtual PC Center thin client system including 700 virtualized PCs when its headquarters moved into a new municipal office building. Over 1000 municipal staff now share 700 virtualized PCs which are centrally managed from the server room in the main building. Various benefits of desktop virtualization for Tsukuba include optimized IT resource utilization, primarily achieved by reducing the number of client PCs, as well as enhanced security and operational efficiency.

  • Over 1000 PCs were used in the municipal offices including approximately 170 remote locations, and the PC environments were hardly consistent. Tremendous work was required to apply security patches and policy settings for each PC.
  • Two systems, the internal management information system and the mission critical system for applications associated with citizens' data, were accessed from one terminal by dual booting. When switching systems, the OS in use had to be shut down to boot up the other OS. The process was time consuming and reduced productivity.
  • The city wanted to centralize management of complicated client PC software licenses to improve IT resource efficiency and license management.

Installation results

  • Virtualized PC sharing has enabled multiple staff members to use a common application environment. Reduction of underutilized PCs improved IT resource efficiency.
  • Reduction of environmental impact—replacing traditional PCs by US40a thin client terminals reduced power consumption of terminals by around 75% of previous levels.
  • The extension of the system to remote locations is expected to reduce on-site maintenance of distributed PCs and significantly improve operational management.

NEC proposal

Installation background and issues

NEC Virtual PC Center thin client system was introduced to address all of the various needs of Tsukuba City including efficient IT resource utilization, simplified operational management, data security, better usability for municipal staff, and stable operation of specially developed applications. Virtualized PC sharing is a significant factor contributing to IT resource optimization.

Introduction of products and solutions

(Nov 1, 2010)