Userful

Userful Corporation
Private
Founded 1999
Headquarters Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Key people
 Timothy Griffin (Founder & Chief Technology Officer)
Daniel Griffin (Vice President)
Jamey Miles (VP Sales)
Eli Aviv (VP Finance)
Emmanuel Boutboul (VP OEM & Channel Sales)
Number of employees
 Approximately 40
Website www.userful.com

Userful Corporation is a Canadian software company that specializes in video walls, desktop virtualization, supporting centrally-managed desktops, and touch screens.

Founded in 1999, Userful develops software to deploy a variety of displays with multiple purposes using commercially available hardware. Userful software specializes in video walls and virtual desktops, which include Microsoft Windows, cloud-centric desktops, managed public computing desktops, conventional Linux desktops, and remote desktop protocols.

Userful's head office is located in Calgary, Alberta and is a privately held for-profit company with resellers.

History

Founder & Chief Executive Officer Timothy Griffin founded Userful Corporation in 1999. The company commenced work on a kernel-based approach to a multi-station platform computer, but later abandoned the idea due to problems with multiple video card support. Initially a software development company, issues with duplication and time consumption involved in setting up users on multiple computers, along with installing multiple programs for each computer, led to development of the one-step, multiseat computing technology that is at the core of Userful software.[1]

Since the release of Desktop Multiplier (now Userful Multiplatform) in 2002, Userful Corporation has focused primarily on working with schools, public libraries, military, and oilfields for deployment.[2] In 2014, Userful expanded to include small and medium businesses, and the digital signage market.

Timeline

In February 2009, Userful announced what is claimed to be the world's largest desktop virtualization deployment with 356,800 virtual desktops in Brazil.[3]

In May 2012, Userful launched version 5 of its MultiSeat software, which added Ethernet zero client support.[4]

In April 2012, Userful announced a partnership with ViewSonic to produce a Linux-based zero-client product.[5]

In February 2013, Userful launched Userful Multiplatform 6 which enables running Windows, Linux, and browser desktops in a multiseat environment.[6]

In February 2014, Userful launched Userful Multiplatform 7.0, which provides desktop virtualization and central management to desktops, touch screens and kiosks.[7]

In October 2014, Userful partnered with ViewSonic to create the SC-U25 Value VDI Client with Userful Multiplatform software.[8]

In December 2014, Userful launched Userful Network Video Wall software that supports ultra-high definition content from one Core i7 PC to multiple video walls with up to 25 standard displays.[9]

In August 2015, version 8.0 of Userful Network Video Wall was released, updating the core platform of Userful products and improving performance and reliability. [10]

In January 2016, version 8.5 of Userful was released, updating the core platform to include core enhancements and enhanced support and features for both VDI and video walls. [11]

In May 2016, version 8.6 of Userful was released, with an update that supports up to 8k video walls, including enhanced features and support for VDI and video walls. [12]

In September 2016, Userful released version 8.7 [13] featuring enhancements and minor updates.

Software for Video Walls and Zero Client Software Products

See list:

Current Products

Core Platform

All Userful software products are built on a combination of CentOS Linux and Userful’s in-house multiseat software which provisions and manages zero clients.

Userful Video Walls

Userful video walls enable users to set up one or more video walls or digital signage displays utilizing the CPU and GPU in an Intel platform to process and render UHD outputs over a gigabit Ethernet network. The release of Userful network video wall in December 2014 was the world's first commercially available video wall solution to deliver real-time, 4k content over a standard Ethernet network from one PC.[14]

In January 2016, Userful updated their network video wall solution to be the world's first network video wall capable of 6k source content in real time, with the ability to support up to 40 screens from one standard PC and up to 60 screens from a high-end PC. Userful merged their virtual desktop platform into their 8.5 release, enabling delivery of virtual desktops on to a video wall.[15]

In May 2016, Userful released version 8.6 of their platform, improving display quality with the use of discrete compatible GPUs and now supports 8K content playback on their video wall platform.[16]

The Userful network video wall solution turns an inexpensive, commercially available compatible PC into a video wall controller or processor.

Userful Multiplatform

Userful Multiplatform is a multiseat desktop virtualization product that works with Oracle VirtualBox to enable the creation and management of multiple Windows, Linux, and cloud desktops through commercially available hardware.[17]

Userful Desktop

Userful Desktop combines a customized and configurable GNOME desktop managed remotely with in-house tools. The product is specifically designed as a full public computing solution for kiosks and public access computers. Desktop settings are managed by session profiles, which are created and stored through a central web portal.

Discontinued Products

Userful MultiSeat Linux

Userful MultiSeat Linux, replaced by Userful Multiplatform, is a software that turns one Linux computer into up to 20 or more independent computer stations and includes educational applications. Userful MultiSeat Linux software is the Linux-based equivalent of Windows MultiPoint Server for multiseat solutions in the education sector.[18]

Userful MultiSeat

Userful MultiSeat, formerly Userful Multiplier, is a commercial Linux-based multiseat configuration software package. It allows multiple independent users to connect to a single host PC at the same time, each with their own monitor, keyboard, mouse, and applications.[19][20]

Userful Pre-Book

Pre-Book is an open source PC reservation system consisting of both a Linux-based server and Windows and Linux client management software.[21]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Success Stories - Userful - Managed Desktops Done Right". Techrev.ca. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  2. ↑ Eric Lai (2009-02-19). "Linux firm to supply 357,000 Brazilian schools desktops". Macworld.com. Retrieved 2009-03-10.
  3. ↑ "Userful and ThinNetworks today announce that they have been selected to supply 356,800 virtualized desktops to schools in all of Brazil's 5,560 municipalities.". Userful.com. Retrieved Feb 17, 2008.
  4. ↑ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/userful-revolutionizes-thin-client-computing-with-solution-that-is-twice-as-fast-and-half-the-price-152496145.html
  5. ↑ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/viewsonic-r-userful-partner-bring-132500625.html
  6. ↑ http://www.prweb.com/releases/Userful-Multiplatform/Cloud-Virtual-Desktops/prweb10520931.htm
  7. ↑ http://www.virtual-strategy.com/2014/02/19/userful-dramatically-simplifies-desktops-and-lowers-costs-breakthrough-light-desktop-virt
  8. ↑ http://www.viewsonic.com/us/news/uncategorized/viewsonic-introduces-a-simple-and-cost-effective-vdi-solution-the-sc-u25-value-vdi-client/
  9. ↑ http://www.display-central.com/subscription-news/editorial-categories/pro-av/userful-uses-ethernet-drive-4k-videowalls/
  10. ↑ http://support.userful.com/Manuals/Userful_Network_Video_Wall/Release_Notes/8.0
  11. ↑ http://support.userful.com/Docs/Release_Notes/8.5
  12. ↑ http://support.userful.com/Docs/Release_Notes/8.6
  13. ↑ http://support.userful.com/Docs/Release_Notes/8.7
  14. ↑ http://www.userful.com/videowall
  15. ↑ http://www.userful.com/mediarelease-userful-6k-real-time-video-wall
  16. ↑ http://www.userful.com/mediarelease-userful-raises-the-bar-for-video-walls
  17. ↑ http://www.userful.com/products/userful-multiplatform
  18. ↑ Tom Warren (2010-02-24). "Microsoft Launches Windows MultiPoint Server 2010=neowin.net". Retrieved 2010-11-07.
  19. ↑ "Userful Multiplier - Multiseat Linux Desktop Virtualization Software Turns 1 Computer Into 10". Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  20. ↑ "Userful Multiplier Evaluation Version 3.8: Release Notes". Retrieved 2010-10-10.
  21. ↑ "Free Open Source PC Booking and Reservation Computer Software: Pre-Book Linux Server and Windows Client". Retrieved 2010-10-10.
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