Parallels Software Offers State Schools Combined Windows/OS X Teaching Environment

LOUISVILLE – May 2007 - The Kentucky Dataseam Initiative announced today that many of its 47 participating school districts will outfit their Apple computer labs with Parallels Desktop for Mac, enabling users to run OS X and Windows simultaneously without re-booting. Parallels, Inc., of Reston, Washington, makes virtualization software for the Windows, Linux and Mac OS X operating systems.

Kentucky Dataseam’s statewide program operates the largest Apple-based computing grid in the world. The Dataseam Grid plays a key helping researchers investigate potential cancer therapies. This unique private-public partnership has placed over 5,000 computers workstations state wide to fuel economic development and education efforts. It represents the largest implementation of Parallels software to date.

By deploying Parallels Desktop for Mac, Kentucky schools can now have all the benefits of Apple’s multimedia applications and fast Intel-based processors while still running most Windows applications, as well as many legacy education applications. Students can work and learn in both Windows and OS X at the same time from a single machine, building their technical proficiency on both platforms in preparation for entering college or the workforce.

“It is an incredible way to get the best of both worlds,” said Dr. Michael Kessinger, Assistant Superintendent and Chief Information Officer for the Martin County Schools System, “We can give the teachers and students the benefits of a wide variety of applications on the fastest workstation on the state contract. In addition, the computing power in Kentucky K-12 schools is put to use by researchers. This is a win-win solution for our district—to be able to utilize new technology and software while still having access to our current software applications. Parallels is a great solution for our district.”

“We’re very excited to help Kentucky Dataseam put Windows and OS X into the hands of Kentucky students and teachers,” said Benjamin Rudolph, Director of Corporate Communications, Parallels. “By running the Windows operating system in a Parallels Desktop for Mac virtual machine at the same time as OS X, students can leave high school with a deeper understanding of the two key operating systems powering today’s IT infrastructure.”

“While our current research efforts are platform-specific, we believe that giving students and teachers the ability to work in multiple platforms is critical for providing our students a view of what they can expect in the world beyond graduation,” said Brian Gupton, Executive Director of Kentucky Dataseam. “Parallels allows local school districts the ability to choose multiple options in the classroom.”

About Kentucky Dataseam
The Kentucky Dataseam Initiative is a statewide program that uses desktop computers in 47 Kentucky K-12 schools to do important research at state universities. The research is also used to provide relevant education and higher education outreach to Kentucky students in the form of supplemental science curriculum and student scholarships. With the help of the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet and Department of Education supported through the Kentucky Legislation Dataseam is working to produce new technologies, high tech jobs and increase the attractiveness of Kentucky’s workforce to high tech companies. Learn more about the Kentucky Dataseam Initiative at www.kydataseam.com.

About Parallels
Parallels, an SWsoft company, builds powerful, user-friendly, cost-effective server and workstation hardware virtualization solutions for Windows, Macintosh, and Linux. Headquartered in Renton, Wash., Parallels is a global company that employs a rapidly-growing team of experienced technical and business professionals. For more information, please visit www.parallels.com.

Media/Analyst Contact - Parallels
Benjamin H. Rudolph
Director of Communications, Parallels
425.282.6446 (direct)
202.437.6701 (mobile)
brudolph@parallels.com

Media/Analyst Contact – Kentucky Dataseam
G. Henry Hunt
502.292.6722 (direct)
henry.hunt@kydataseam.com