What is a Thin Client?

general introduction

A thin client is a general term for computing devices that rely on centralised or network-based resources to operate. A legacy example of thin clients is the dumb terminal, which displayed text driven applications served by mainframe computers and were generally deployed in schools, universities, call centres and commercial establishments. Today's thin clients provide more advanced functionality and support a graphical environment and emerging technologies such as Citrix or Microsoft terminal services.

why would anyone consider a thin client?

A thin client is not a complete computer, meaning it has reduced or no local storage and reduced processing resources. This significantly reduces capital expense at the desktop. Furthermore, the overhead costs associated with administration, maintenance, support, security and installation are significantly lower than a traditional PC. Netvoyager thin clients are a realistic alternative to the traditional costly PCs.

Summary of Business Benefits

   
 

Direct Savings
Reduce desktop costs
Significantly reduce staffing costs
Significant reduction in desktop maintenance costs
Virtually remove the need for desktop upgrades
Remove desktop application upgrades
Remove viruses from the desktop
Reduction of training expense
Reduction in bandwidth costs
Reduction or eliminate remote office servers by centralisation
Significantly lower desktop asset purchasing cost
Vastly reduced user downtime waiting for help desk response
Less system downtime through better redundancy and disaster recovery capabilities

Strategic Benefits
Application delivery on-demand
Move desktop computing towards a utility model
Applications available to all users anytime and anywhere
Faster time to market
Supports distributed business decision making
Quick expansion through ease of deployment
Enables corporate application standardisation
Reduced risk of data loss (since the data and applications are centralised)
Supports homogeneous clients (Windows, Linux/UNIX, Minis/Mainframes)
Improves remote user support
Helps prevent theft of intellectual property (i.e. data)
Eliminates games and non-business time wasting activities

   
 
 
 
 
Related Links 
Server Computing Explained
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TCO Calculator
Capacity Planner
Energy Saving Calculator
Green IT Framework
 
 
 
Help Me Select The Right Thin Client For My Business