Citrix Systems, Inc. announced today that Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee, has selected Citrix XenDesktop to deliver full Windows® virtual desktops and applications as an on-demand service – dubbed “MyMT” – to the university’s more than 25,000 students and staff. This free, anytime access to virtual desktops, applications, personal files and network resources centralizes and simplifies desktop management and represents the largest Citrix virtual desktop implementation among Tennessee’s higher education institutions.

Using Citrix XenDesktop and other Citrix solutions, including Citrix XenServer™, MTSU expects to save more than 35 percent in desktop computing costs by enabling easy, centralized management of desktops and applications and reducing the need to refresh expensive PC hardware. Before implementing Citrix, MTSU replaced 20 to 25 percent of its 4,000 computers every year. By adding years to the useful life of university-owned desktops, MTSU can repurpose a significant portion of its information technology (IT) budget for other important projects. Virtualized solutions will also give the university the ability to leverage low-cost, thin-client computing devices to reduce electricity consumption and drive further simplicity across the infrastructure.

In addition to budget concerns, MTSU needed to address the time required to touch every computer for software installation and maintenance. Fast, centralized installation of software, patches and upgrades via Citrix means less downtime for students, quick classroom access to new software for faculty, and more time for the IT team to spend on other tasks.

MTSU expects MyMT to enhance productivity for students, faculty and staff who will be able to access any Windows, web or Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) application at any time, whether on- or off-campus. According to Lorenzo Hines, assistant director of classroom support for MTSU, secure access to MyMT will be as simple as opening any web browser and logging in to MyMT from any Internet-connected device – PC, Mac, tablets such as iPads, or smart phones including iPhone and Android.

MTSU plans a multi-phase rollout approach to implement MyMT, which will virtualize more than 2,000 devices by this fall. When complete, MyMT will give all MTSU students, faculty and staff simple, secure, around-the-clock access to virtual desktops, applications, network resources and file storage from any device or location.

Quotes

Thomas Eacobacci, Area Vice President, Southeast Region at Citrix

“Middle Tennessee State University clearly demonstrates how virtual computing solutions from Citrix can help students achieve their educational goals and, at the same time, ease budget worries. Citrix is proud to partner with MTSU and we applaud its efforts to be a leader in Tennessee higher education.”

Bruce Petryshak, CIO, Middle Tennessee State University

“MTSU prides itself in being the largest undergraduate university in the state of Tennessee, and as such, we are focused on taking a leadership position with the most modern technologies. We are committed to ensuring that our students, faculty and staff are offered the very best technologies to enable them to learn, collaborate and access information that ultimately impact student outcomes in a positive way. Having all these new capabilities and being able to extend our reach while reducing costs is an absolute win-win for MTSU.”

Facts and Highlights

• MTSU expects its virtual desktop solution, MyMT, to cut desktop computing costs by more than 35 percent and reduce the university’s electricity consumption.
• Students and faculty will have secure access to MyMT around the clock, from any end device with an Internet connection.
• MTSU leveraged Citrix XenDesktop, Citrix XenServer and Citrix NetScaler to build the MyMT solution.