EDS launches desktop service

Adding to the momentum of so-called utility computing, Electronic Data will announce on Wednesday a flexibly priced service for managing desktop computers.

With the new service, a company would be able to pay for some desktop applications on a subscription basis while charges for such things as data storage and help desk services would be based on usage. The service is dubbed myCOE - for my Consistent Office Environment.

Carol Wyatt, an executive with EDS' Distributed Systems Service line, said: "A growing number of clients expect to get what they need when they need it, and pay only for what they use."

Utility computing refers to the push to make computing power into a service similar to electricity or water, where costs would reflect the amount of computing used. A number of companies have launched initiatives in this vein, such as IBM and Hewlett-Packard.

EDS' myCOE service uses a new Microsoft product for deploying software for desktop computers more easily. Called the 'Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment', the product includes guidance for how to deploy Windows XP and Office XP software as well as tools for tasks such as capturing users' data.

Microsoft says that in the past it has had tools for jobs such as migrating data, but that this is the first time the company has offered a comprehensive product for helping businesses deploy desktop software.

Microsoft is making the deployment aid available free online.

EDS said it worked with Microsoft on developing a new Microsoft technology called 'zero-touch', which provides remote deployment capability for Microsoft operating system upgrades and associated tasks. Tasks for deploying Windows XP and Office XP that previously required manual intervention are now almost totally automated and can be completed in an unattended manner, EDS said.

EDS' myCOE product allows for customisation for individual computer users, the company said.

Ed Frauenheim writes for CNET News.com