Entrepreneurs Launch New Computer-as-a-Service with a Breakthrough “Freemium” Subscription Model to Open Wider Access to Computers for both New and Multi-Computer Homes
Serial entrepreneurs Vern Kennedy, John Crowley and Vijay Das, are launching the nimbus cloud computer (www.nimbuscc.com) today. The nimbus cloud computer offers a familiar computer desktop environment that is fully internet enabled and is delivered to home users by servers located in multiple data centers via a proprietary ultra-thin client. ScreenPC, Inc. is offering the basic service at an affordable monthly subscription rate of $19 per month or as an ad-sponsored service with no monthly charge.
Norwalk, CT – February 15, 2008 – Experienced entrepreneurs Vern Kennedy, John Crowley and Vijay Das created ScreenPC, Inc. to tackle the problem of costs and complexity in home computers. ScreenPC, Inc., funded by Columbia Ventures Corporation, today launches its nimbus cloud computer as a monthly subscription service with both paid and free versions.
Mr. Kennedy left Broadview Networks in 2005, a company he founded in 1996 as the first local telephone competitor in New York City and built up to $200+ million in revenue at the time of his departure. During his tenure at Broadview Networks, Vern served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board.
Forced to field a few calls a day from frustrated friends who needed help with their computers, Vern wondered if there was a better way. An electrical engineer from Princeton, Vern immediately began to tinker with an idea for a new way to look at how computers are delivered to home users. “If the costly and complicated parts of a computer could be hosted in a central data center that was managed by experts and only a screen was delivered to a home user, then things would be a lot simpler and less expensive for everyone involved. I wanted to make this happen.”
There was an immediate challenge. No cost-effective device existed to drive the screen at the home. Existing thin clients would have been a likely starting point but were still far too expensive. “We had to build our own from scratch. Most thin clients are really just an ordinary PC with components removed. Our ultra-thin client was designed from the ground up to focus just on screen and USB management.”
Vern assembled a team to tackle the technical and business challenges ahead in creating a new home computer. He enlisted Dr. John Crowley who had designed the highly regarded back office system at Broadview Networks to be the Chief Technology Officer. He contacted Vijay Das who had been responsible for the design and commercialization of new products at Broadview Networks to be the Chief Marketing Officer.
Dr. Crowley is very pleased with today’s launch. “Its been quite an adventure in rethinking and redesigning just about every aspect of the computer and it's great to have the service out today. As someone who has been involved in personal computers for over 25 years as I have, it's amazing how radical a development this company is. We've completely changed the hardware and software of home computing.”
Vijay Das thinks that consumers will appreciate the options that a truly affordable computer make possible. New users need not be afraid of the cost or complexity. And if a home already has one or more computers, the nimbus cloud computer is a way you can add a few more in convenient locations. “The nimbus cloud computer represents a complete re-imagination of what home computing can be. But today is just the beginning. We will be announcing new services that we will deliver through the nimbus cloud computer platform are truly unique. Stay tuned!”
The nimbus cloud computer service is available today on the web store: www.nimbuscc.com. Advertisers, agencies and ad networks interested in discussing marketing opportunities, please contact us at sponsors@screenpc.com. Carriers interested in bundling the nimbus cloud computer with internet service, please contact us at carriers@screenpc.com. Development enquiries to: development@screenpc.com
About ScreenPC
ScreenPC, Inc. was founded in 2006 to re-imagine what a home computer can be. ScreenPC develops and deploys proprietary hardware and software to provide affordable, safe and easy-to-use consumer computing services. ScreenPC, Re-Imagine your computer.
For more information about ScreenPC, Inc., visit www.screenpc.com, or contact Vijay Das at 203-842-0460, ext. 604
Contact:
Vijay Das
ScreenPC, Inc.
101 Merritt 7, 5th Floor
Norwalk, CT 06851
Phone: 203-842-0460, ext. 604
Email: press@nimbuscc.com
Web: www.screenpc.com
