Thales Australia completes NGD pilot program

Thales Australia and the Department of Defence have announced that the Next Generation Desktop (NGD) project pilot program has been successfully completed.

The Commonwealth has also granted Second Pass approval, marking a significant step in a program that has the potential to deliver long term Strategic Reform Program savings.

The pilot involved over 700 defence users across Australia trialing a new secure desktop computer system that is simpler to use and less expensive to sustain than current systems.

Instead of multiple terminals for different networks, users will benefit from de-cluttered workspaces with one computer, one keyboard, one screen and one mouse, enabling simultaneous access to the Defence Restricted Network and Defence Secret Network on the same screen.

Thales Australia chief executive officer Chris Jenkins said the pilot was an effective way of gathering real-world data from a multitude of users.

“The pilot not only demonstrated the viability of this Server Based Computing solution, but also generated valuable implementation and de-risking experience across several Defence sites and networks that will prove highly beneficial as the program continues,” Jenkins said.

“We have been working very closely with Defence’s Chief Information Officer Group, as well as end users and our partners, to ensure the pilot was a success and their feedback was gathered and integrated into our rollout strategy.

“We have also recently completed a series of joint workshops with the customer, and are currently discussing how to proceed with full scale implementation of the NGD solution.”

Prime contractor Thales Australia and a team of world-class partners including Raytheon Trusted Computer Solutions (RTCS), Microsoft and Citrix are currently delivering and supporting the NGD pilot program.

In its full implementation, NGD will use thin client technology to replace traditional desktops, which will substantially reduce hardware, power and sustainment costs for Defence.