US hardware and software manufacturer
NComputing is offering thin client computing to UK users for
£35 per device.
Analysts said IT directors should consider the devices for IT
environments with fixed application requirements, such as
call centres and schools.
Thin client
computing enables end-users to run terminals rather than fully
fledged desktop PCs. All applications are run on a shared server,
and the low-powered thin client device simply displays the
graphical user interface and provides mouse and keyboard input.
Thin client computing has traditionally required powerful server
hardware, but NComputing’s system allows IT departments to use a
standard desktop PC as a server.
Each X Series kit includes three hardware terminals, server
software for the terminals, and a proprietary PCI card. Users still
need mice, keyboards and monitors, but they can reuse existing
components to reduce costs.
The terminal connection software is designed to divide the
desktop PC’s hardware and software into independent sessions, where
each user is given access to their own virtual PC. It runs on any
version of Windows and supports the five most popular versions of
Linux, including Ubuntu, SuSE, and Fedora.
As well as the X Series, NComputing also sells an L Series for
£90, which connects users via Ethernet, broadband, or a local area
network.
Hewlett-Packard also sells a thin client computing product, the
HP 441, which costs £200. This device gives four users access to a
PC and is shipped with four monitors, keyboards and mice. It is
aimed primarily at the education market.
Mark Margevicius, research director at analyst firm Gartner,
said IT managers should consider using thin client architecture if
their organisations have structured-task workers – for example, in
a call centre – or they have predictable client application
requirements.
Simon Yates, senior analyst at Forrester Research, said the
success of thin client computing in smaller end-user environments
would be dependent on keeping training and maintenance to a
minimum.
Obtaining additional licences for Windows machines could be an
issue, said Yates, but educational users tend to benefit from
attractive licensing options. “In the education market, Microsoft
tends to pursue an aggressive pricing model of about £10 per extra
user,” he said.
NComputing has already sold its X Series product in more than 70
countries including the US, Thailand, Turkey, the Philippines and
India. Along with its use in schools, the thin client has been
deployed in the public sector and call centres.
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