BROWSE PARTS

Thin Client Computing Products

What is Thin Client Computing?

Thin-client computing is indirectly based on the old model used mainly in mainframe environments where users had a "dumb terminal" with a single designated function on their desktop.

Things have changed as the need for users to complete more than one specific task has become more and more important. A desktop with a variety of different applications and access to the Internet and/or the Intranet is a necessity.

Thin-client computing provides the solution, giving users a low-cost, low-maintenance device that fulfils all their requirements.

Input from the client/user via the keyboard and mouse is sent to the server over the network and the server sends the output (screen or printer) to the client.

The server is where all the processing is carried out. Logging onto the server provides each user with a complete desktop on their client device, giving the advantage of full functionality and appearing to the user as if they are working locally on a PC .

ICC and SUMO™ Technologies Thin Client Solutions

Over the last few years we have seen many of our clients moving away from the traditional “dumb terminal” and moving towards windows based terminals.

It was therefore necessary for us to choose a product that we believe was a suitable alternative to the terminal products we had sold in the past and after reviewing what manufacturers were offering we have chosen to use SUMO™ as our preferred and approved product.

SUMO™ Technologies
Thin Client Products

Desktop Clients

Mobile Clients

ST366

Integrated Clients

ST870

Advantages of Thin Client Computing

Simplified Management of IT Infrastructure

All applications reside on the server and all data processing takes place on the server.
Simpler and quicker to set up clients. PC’s can often take hours to set up, with thin client it is simply a matter of configuring the user profiles on the server and configuring the client machine on the network.
Any software updates only need to be carried out once.
Users can access server applications from any client machine on the network by simply logging in giving them greater flexibility.

Increased Security

Users only have access to the applications, files and information assigned to them by IT admin.
Virus control and all other security aspects are handled on the server. No need to update or scan client machines.
Users cannot download or install potentially dangerous applications.

Reduced Network Traffic

No large files are transmitted across the network.
Only keystrokes and mouse movement are sent from client to server.
The server is only sending out screen updates and prints.

Increased Lifetime Expectation of Client Hardware

No moving parts such as hard drives giving a greater life expectancy than PCs.
Low processing requirements mean .

Reduced TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)

The combination of all the above factors lead to a significant reduction in the TCO regarding operating a computer network.

Considerations

While thin-client computing can be an excellent solution for many companies, before choosing the best way to lower TCO it is very important that a full needs-analysis is carried out. There are two main factors to consider, the first being the type of user and the second being the type of applications found in the company. PC's might be a better choice for data and graphic-intensive applications, such as CAD/CAM, based on memory availability, hard drive access, etc. However one of the main focuses of thin-client computing is terminal replacement. A large server can support as many as 80 to 100 users, if, for example they are mainly data entry clerks and activity elsewhere is low.

As the processing power needed by the users and applications increases, the number of users that can be accommodated decreases, mainly due to memory constraints and the CPU possibly becoming over-used. An easy way to overcome a reduction in performance due to excessive context switching in the CPU is the introduction of more CPU's.

Another issue is the compatibility of software. Many applications were not designed to support a number of different users, however in some cases, patches or so-called transforms are available to enable the support needed for multiple use. Research is therefore required before making the decision to implement thin-client technology.

High performance and reliability from servers and network infrastructure are a necessity for thin-client computing. This is due to the fact that users are completely dependent on the network for all functionality, so each network slowdown or failure reduces the productivity of all users. Good quality servers are also important in order to run the applications. Cutting costs when picking servers can seriously lower user confidence in the system, which can take a long time to restore.

Communication with the users is very important. They may feel that they are losing control, thus causing them to feel unhappy about parting with their PC's in exchange for a thin-client. To prevent this from happening they need to be told what is happening, why it is happening and how it will affect them. When good communication is in place between the IT Department, Management and the end-user, many problems can be avoided.

Conclusion

Due to the low cost of ownership, thin-client devices are an effective solution for existing PC replacement. Functionality need not be sacrificed, yet the excessive administration and end-user costs of PC's can be completely replaced with a financially beneficial thin-client. Many different industries have welcomed thin-client technology, including banking, healthcare, manufacturing and insurance. Today, the prospects for thin-client desktops are infinite.