NComputing

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Peruvian Financial Coop Increases Employee Efficiency while Solving Space and Cost Challenges

Challenge

In constant growth mode, the cooperative has many sales associates who need computer access for a few hours a day, with limited office space and a limited budget for software and hardware.

Solution

With the purchase of 24 NComputing devices, including the X550, X350, L300 and M300, CACFMA was able to meet the short-term computer access needs of its 150 sales reps nationwide, while saving on costs, space and heat emission.

Results

Savings of up to $25,000 USD by purchasing NComputing equipment rather than traditional computers.
Substantial reduction in electricity consumption, from 300KV to 115KV monthly, for a total annual savings of $2,500 USD.
75% reduction in daily heat emission.

“What was previously a system usage problem is now solved, thanks to NComputing, which allows up to 11 users per host.”

Martha Limaco

 CACFMA

Deployment Architecture

The X550, X350, L300 and M300 enable deployment of thin client virtual desktops.

Physical Hosts:

Intel Core i3 3.10 GHz LGA-1155 CPU
GIGABYTE H61 MOTHERBOARD, SOUND, NETWORKED VGA
4GB DDR3 KINGSTON MEMORY
5000GB SATA HARD DRIVE
1.0 GB DDR3 PCI-EXPRESS VIDEO CARD

Operating System:

 Ubuntu 10.04 x64

Peripherals:

 Genius PS/2 keyboard and mouse, Samsung 16” monitor, CAT-6 network cable

Applications:

 SAMBA (file access), Firefox, OpenOffice, etc.

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At the Ayacucho Market Federation Savings and Loan Cooperative (CACFMA) in Ayacucho, Peru, financial transactions are done directly with customers on-site at their place of business. The goal was to grow their network of sales representatives sustainably and increase footprint and coverage, without increasing equipment costs.

CACFMA’s mission is to provide technology-enabled financial services through a core business model that empowers its employees, in particular, its sales representatives.

Ayacucho Market Federation Savings and Loan Cooperative (CACFMA)

“Initially, the organization had a Windows-based system, but high licensing costs forced a complete migration to the Linux-Ubuntu platform, and to the OpenOffice content management system,” said CACFMA’s Martha Limaco.

The company began a search for a virtual desktop system that could provide better access for sales representatives, while meeting the organization’s requirements for stability, security, quality and pricing.

CACFMA sales representatives are responsible for recruiting new partners as well as tracking daily credit line transactions and opening new savings and credit line accounts. Agents are out visiting customers all day, but return in the afternoon to input transaction data into the system. Previously, sales representatives had to wait for hours to input information into the system.

The number of sales representatives in the organization grows exponentially. With additional affiliates, more representatives are hired to service customers.

The organization deployed NComputing X550, X350, L300 and M300 devices to bring high-performing computer workstations to every sales representative – at a much lower cost than with traditional PCs. With a single PC or server, CACFMA can support multiple workstations, reducing capital costs and maintenance time.

NComputing saved the organization $25,000 USD over the cost of traditional computers, with another $2,500 USD saved annually in electricity costs. Additionally, CACFMA reduced its daily heat emission by 75%.

“What was previously a system usage problem is now solved, thanks to NComputing, which allows up to 11 users per host,” said Martha Limaco of CACFMA.”

“As employee efficiency increased, the workforce has grown,” Limaco said. “Since the company’s founding in 2008 with 5 employees, until implementing NComputing in July, 2011, the organization has seen accelerated growth. Currently we have 53 sales reps in the main office, thanks to increased efficiency from the new system, which frees up more of their time for new customer acquisition.”