Thin Clients

Here’s Why Thin Clients are the Ideal Tool for Distributed Teams

by Ashok Pandey January 28, 2021 0 comments

PCs or thin clients? This is a highly debated question in most organizations even today. That’s because deciding on one is not a simple decision. There are multiple variables involved beyond the specs in both types of devices.

Let’s first get the basics out of the way before delving deeper into this debate. Unlike a PC, thin clients are small devices that don’t have much processing power or storage of their own. Instead, they connect to a central server where all applications and data is stored and processed. They simply act as front-end devices that display all applications and data from the central server and allow users to use them using a keyboard and mouse.

Since all processing happens at a central server, organizations have to choose the server configurations very carefully. It has to be powerful enough to handle the load. Most enterprise applications like ERP, CRM, etc. can be configured for thin-client access. Some scenarios, however, where you need to run graphics-intensive applications like AutoCAD, video editing, animation, graphics editing, etc. require PCs.

Till now, thin clients have been used by call centers and BPOs, but now, with work from home culture becoming prevalent, these devices can be beneficial for any organization. They can be the perfect device if your organization is planning to transition to VDI or cloud computing environment.

Let’s understand the advantages of using thin clients over PCs.

Benefits of using Thin Clients

Using thin clients, you can save on power consumption and physical workspace. As these have small form factors, you can attach them behind your monitor screen or keep them on the desks. They don’t require much space, unlike PCs. Since thin clients don’t have much processing power, they consume very little power, which can you save electricity bills.

You don’t have to worry about securing these machines, because everything is stored in your servers in the data center. This makes them more secure than PCs. This can help save on the cost of software and administrative overheads associated with maintaining PCs. Instead of managing and securing multiple machines in multiple locations, you just have to focus on securing a single server in a single location.

As thin clients access everything remotely, they’re easier to manage. You don’t have to worry about updating them with the latest patches and updates. They will simply connect to any remote environment you’ve configured for them, so long as they’re compatible with the protocols supported by the thin client.

In today’s scenario, where remote working has become the new norm, IT teams are overburdened with managing PCs of a remote and highly dispersed workforce. Moreover, they can’t ensure the same level of security across all locations. These tiny machines can prove to be a boon here. Instead of buying expensive laptops or PCs, you could give your remote workforce thin clients and configure all applications in the data center.

Companies like HP offer thin clients for various needs. They have desktop thin clients like the t430, which is ideal for desktop virtualization and cloud-based applications. They support 4k displays and can be mounted behind monitors to save space. HP also has mobile thin clients that are designed like laptops, allowing you to carry them around anywhere. These could be great for WFH environments.

Additionally, HP thin clients come bundled with various software suite to ease Admins life. For example, HP Device Manager lets IT admins remotely deploy, update, and troubleshoot HP Thin Clients from anywhere from a single console. Using HP Thin Update, one can download the latest images and add-ons from HP. The HP Easy Shell lets users customise and streamline their thin client experience. There’s also an HP True Graphics tool that enables users to experience smooth graphics rendering with less lag time when you access rich graphical applications and multimedia content from the cloud.

Overall, thin clients can be a great option for today’s modern-day enterprises, which have a highly remote and dispersed workforce. As data and applications are stored centrally, they don’t have to worry about the security and management of remote devices.

Check out https://store.hp.com/in-en/default/hp-business-offers for more details.