Microsoft Offers Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 for Schools

Those of you who handle IT for schools may be interested in a Microsoft (News - Alert) product for the educational crowd--Windows MultiPoint Server 2010.

Initially announced last November, Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 hit the market earlier this year for schools and other educational institutions to deploy in classrooms, labs, and libraries. Based on Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows MultiServer allows multiple students to access a single host PC through their own individual workstations. Each station offers a keyboard, mouse, and monitor, allowing each student to connect to a separate instance of Windows on a central server via the Remote Desktop Services built into Windows Server 2008 R2.

Each host machine running Windows MultiPoint Server can handle up to 10 people accessing it at the same time, giving every student the ability to control his or her own unique Windows session.

Microsoft says that the goal behind MultiPoint Server is to provide more students with computer access so teachers can spend less time managing the technology and more time teaching. Schools under the gun to cut their budgets might also find the product an affordable way to equip their students with the right PC resources.

The company is also promising that even non-techies, such as teachers, will find the setup and use of MultiPoint Server relatively user friendly and not have to rely on IT support to get it all working. Yep, we've heard that before, so all you IT pros at schools may want to be ready for a support call just in case. But once the initial set up is done, it sounds like the teachers should be able to manage the PC, software, and student accounts themselves.

Windows MultiPoint does have a few limitations compared to dedicated workstations, according to Microsoft. Unlike the desktop version of Windows 7, sessions connected to the server won't be able to use Aero Glass, Windows Flip, Taskbar Previews, or Windows Media Center. Microsoft also says the server sessions aren't designed for mobile computing, so students need to be at their desktops. But I don't think these limitations would affect the use of the technology in the classroom.

Windows MultiPoint Server is available through OEMs and Microsoft's Academic Volume Licensing. You can learn more about the product at Microsoft's MultiPoint Server Website.