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Highlights and Testimonials

Highlights

2026/02 Thin client virtual desktops

In February 2026, we for the first time deployed a thin client that serves the BARD virtual desktop. The initial vision is to use this “workstation” for initial consultancy sessions.

This approach presents several advantages for facilities:

  • no need for expensive workstations
  • access to more computing power
  • potential for reducing costs by splitting the total across multiple orgs
  • visitors don't have to stay in the facility to process their data after acquisition is complete leading to reduced travel costs for users
  • standardized environment leading to easier maintenance and user support and better reproducibility

What users say about our virtual desktops

BAND used in Africa

“We used BAND in an LMIC setting with the majority of people who had never done image analysis before. BAND enabled the use of CellPose and Stardist to segment pathogenic yeasts, moulds and label-free immune cells, which would have been very difficult if not almost impossible otherwise. Now these researchers from all over Africa will be using these tools with almost no barrier now. Really can't commend BAND enough!”

  • Darren Thompson, University of Exeter, co-organiser, with Caron Jacobs, of an image analysis course at Cape Town University

BAND used in EMBO Practical

"I've used the BAND platform for several training courses until now, and each time it's been a great experience. Having instant access to GPU-equipped virtual machines is invaluable when working with modern deep learning segmentation methods. It removes all the usual hardware barriers and lets us focus on teaching state-of-the-art approaches. The support team was excellent too, responding quickly even outside regular office hours. It's exactly the kind of infrastructure we need for effective training courses."

– Dr Ilya Belevich, University of Helsinki

"There are always course participants who do not download and set up the necessary software in advance, and catching them up consumes valuable teaching time. BAND is a game changer. Having the machines ready and set up has allowed us to get straight to teaching, and provides a more uniform experience for all participants. Knowing the computer environment ahead of time also makes it possible to prepare a much more specific and streamlined course programme."

  • Dr. Benedikt Best, EMBL Heidelberg

BAND and BARD used in Asia

"what you have done on BARD is really the best platform I saw so far for BioImage analysis on a web browser, it's really cleaner than with other platforms, I am really jealous "

  • Benjamin Pavie, VIB Belgium