Beta Availability of Imation IronKey Workspace for Windows To Go

Imation Corp. announced beta availability of its IronKey Workspace, certified for deployment of Windows To Go.

It lets organizations outfit mobile professionals with a secure, fast USB platform to run Windows To Go from a USB stick on multiple compatible PCs, a solution for teleworkers, contractors, and those implementing BYOD strategies.

The IronKey Workspace is certified for deployment of Windows To Go, a feature of Windows 8 that lets enterprise users boot a full version of Windows 8 from an external USB drive on compatible host PCs.

"The traditional and static arrangement of the software instance of the user’s workspace bound to a single hardware device no longer fits the personal computing requirements of a growing population of workers and, for that matter, their employers; breaking this software-to-hardware linkage is essential," said Michael Suby, Stratecast’s VP of Research at Frost & Sullivan. "PC on a Stick addresses this need by infusing complete and secure workspace portability into the realm of personal computing."

Organizations running Windows 8 Enterprise Edition can provision a Windows desktop onto the IronKey Workspace to create a PC on a Stick – with the OS and data contained on the USB drive, while still leveraging the host PC’s hardware and resources, such as monitors, cameras, and network connections.

It provides a fast, easy, and cost effective way to empower mobile workers with Windows To Go.

Features and benefits of the IronKey Workspace include:

• Speed: The drive delivers over five times the minimum read/write performance required for Windows To Go certified devices. Users will experience a responsive and smooth-running system, thanks to USB 3.0 technology and sequential read performance of up to 400+ MB/s, and sequential write speeds of up to 300+ MB/s.
• Security: It protects an organization’s data by leveraging Windows To Go’s BitLocker password protection capabilities and up to 256-bit AES full disk encryption. Devices, data, and applications are automatically protected the moment a user removes the drive from their host PC.
• Capacity: Available in 32GB, 64GB, and 128GB capacities.

The IronKey Workspace for Windows To Go will be available in early December through Imation’s network of channel partners or Imation sales.

Manufacturer’s list price is US$129 for the 32GB model, US$215 for 64GB, and US$389 for 128GB.

"Windows To Go is a key feature of Windows 8 Enterprise that will impact the way organizations empower mobile workers. Imation’s IronKey Workspace is one of a handful of drives certified to deliver the Windows 8 desktop experience on a USB flash drive," said Stella Chernyak, senior director of product marketing, Windows Enterprise, Microsoft.

"We are seeing tremendous interest in the PC on a Stick from organizations seeking to give their workers a seamless Windows 8 experience across multiple devices. Imation has strong experience developing and helping organizations deploy mobile workspaces in high-security environments. Our IronKey Workspace delivers a high-performance platform for organizations seeking to bring the benefits of Windows To Go to their mobile workforce," said Lawrence Reusing, Imation’s GM for Mobile Security.

Next year, Imation plans to roll out a line of solutions that empower organizations to deploy Windows To Go via its hardware encrypted IronKey flash drives, authentication, and centralized device management. Organizations will be able to get high-security workspace solutions for teleworkers, contractors, and travelers at an attractive TCO using Windows To Go.