What is Thin Client?
Thin Client Computing, also known as Server-Based Computing belongs to the exclusive category of technology having clear value propositions, both in terms of cost savings and increased end-user productivity.
Concept
The concept behind Thin Client Computing is simple why put expensive, high-maintenance PCs on every employee's desktop when they can have the same functionality via a "Thin" client with no moving parts? Today's powerful servers now allow the most commonly-used applications such as Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Adobe Acrobat Reader or most any PC application (with the exception of professional video or photographic applications) to run on a central server - only screen updates and keyboard/mouse input need to be transferred between the server and the end-user's desktop.
Conclusion
Only a small "Thin Client" device (about a third the size of a PC) with no moving parts sits on the desktop. A Thin Client desktop typically has connections for a monitor, mouse, keyboard, Ethernet, printers, etc. Installation is simple just plug it into the LAN, connect the peripherals, and you're ready to go (no IT professional required for installation!). All configuration and software maintenance is done centrally on the server, regardless of whether the end user is just down the hallway, or located at a branch office thousands of kilometers away.
The end user simply logs into the server via a thin client, and the familiar Windows environment is visually replicated on the screen with full access to the employee's desktop, applications, network drives, Internet, email, printers, etc. In most cases the user is not even aware that he is working "Thin"! One of the primary benefits is that once the Thin Client desktop is installed, IT Support never needs to visit the employee's desk again!
Implementing thin client delivers a whole list of tangible financial benefits:
Reduction in organizations IT costs
Dramatically decreases an organization's IT costs by up to 80% through reduced staff and centralized software maintenance. Thin Clients can be remotely upgraded, repurposed and reconfigured without IT support ever visiting the desktop. Installation is simple, and can be done by a non-technical employee in minutes.
Simplify Software implementation / Upgrades
Greatly simplifies software upgrade across the organization - it's only done on the server, not on clients. This is especially effective for geographically distributed organizations as no local IT manager is required at branch offices, and travel costs for IT support are reduced to zero.
Reduction in Maintenance cost
Eliminates desktop PC hardware upgrade and Maintenance cost, just upgrade the server and all users on the network get a performance boost without changing or upgrading the Thin Client machines.
Increase in end user productivity
Increases end-user productivity - employees only have access to relevant and authorized applications. Only authorized applications can be used by the end user.
Reliable
Provides higher reliability - clients have no moving parts to wear out such as drives or fans. Works well in hostile environment.
High Security
Provides higher security - all data is stored and backed-up only on the server. Theft of a Thin Client does not endanger confidential information as no data is stored locally.
Virus Free
Thin Clients are virus-proof: there is no way for a Thin Client to become infected!
Reduces power consumption
Thin Clients typically consume 80% less power than their PC counterparts.
'MIMIA' Range of Thin Client Products
| eTc 6000 | SpeedMax | ||
| CPU | via 800 Mhz | As per Old Computer | |
| Memory | 128 DDR | Min 32 Mb | |
| Protocol Support | Rdp, Xdmcp, Vnc | Rdp, Xdmcp, Vnc | |
| USB ports | 2 | As per Old Computer | |
| Parallel Port | 1 | As per Old Computer | |
| Flash Disk | Yes (Optional) | Not required | |
| Sound | Yes (Optional) | As per Old Computer | |
| Power | 85 Watts | As per Old Computer | |
| Dimensions | 2.7x14.5x9.5 inches | As per Old Computer | |
| Features | 4-6 Mb Memory/Client | 4-6 Mb Memory/Client | |
| Application Security | Application Security |
SpeedMAX
"SpeedMAX" card is used to convert any existing machines to thin client technology. This is a LAN card with PXE boot protocol. On installing this card computer boots with the boot image stored on the server. After downloading the image the embedded OS is mounted in the Thin Client RAM and completely initialized, this initializes all the hardware's like Display, LAN, Mouse, Keyboard, Etc. After initializing the hardware you can connect to any server by selecting an emulator for that operating system.
Advantages:
Very Low Cost of implementation. Old hardware is made usable.
Applications / data access speed increases by more than 300%.
486/ Pentium/ PII machines work as fast as PIV machines in a network with no compromise on performance on Win NT/Win 2000/Win 2003/ Linux/ Sun/ mainframes/ Citrix server, etc.
Fast Boot-Up (Approx 35 - 40 seconds).
Highly Secure & Stable.
Zero Maintenance / Future up-gradation not required.
Centralized client management.
Virus free.
