New HP Thin Client solutions

IT wants to strengthen security and simplify desktop management. Finance wants to streamline the budget. And you’re in the thick of it, hoping for a desktop and remote computing solution to satisfy both. That’s what thin client computing is all about. Here, Eric Croswhite, marketing manager for Thin Clients at HP, talks more about it and tells us what’s new in thin client computing for HP customers.

HP.com: Eric, HP recently introduced three thin client products. Tell us about them and what benefits they bring to the enterprise.

Eric: Sure. First of all, we just announced our first mobile thin client, the HP Compaq 6720t Mobile Thin Client. It’s ideal for mobile workers – insurance claim processors, remote staff or warehouse and inventory managers – who have a set of well-defined tasks requiring a range of applications and fast data access.

We also added two new powerful and flexible desk-based models. The HP Compaq t5730 Thin Client is based on Microsoft Windows XP Embedded. The HP Compaq t5735 Thin Client is based on Debian Linux and supports a variety of open source applications.

Both provide the familiarity of desktop PC-like features in a new, slimmer thin client design. 

HP.com: What makes these new thin clients so timely for businesses today?

Eric: While thin clients have been around for years, increased security and cost concerns are causing companies to take a closer look at centralized computing and its inherent data protection and cost advantages.

As part of a remote computing environment, thin client devices connect over a network to a centralized server in a highly secure data center, where all processing takes place.

The new HP Compaq t5730 Thin Client has an Enhanced Write Filter that helps prevent unauthorized application installations and virus writing to disk. The t5730 also has
HP Sygate Security Agent with a dynamic firewall, policy-based controls and intrusion prevention.  Both models have a Secure USB compartment that protects USB wireless and flash devices.

The 6720t Mobile Thin Client also helps tighten security by saving data files and applications on the server, not the mobile device. In addition to the Enhanced Write Filter, you can lock down USB ports.

HP.com: Simplifying the desktop environment is high on the IT list. How do the new thin clients help?

To reduce management cost and complexity, there’s thin-client-specific management software, like HP Device Manager and HP ThinState tools, as well as comprehensive enterprise-class management solutions, like HP Client Automation Software and Altiris Deployment Solution, that extend management to other client devices. So you can remotely deploy, configure and manage all data, users and applications from a single console or web browser. Mobile thin client users receive updates when they connect to the network.

With a solid state design that has no moving parts or fans, HP thin clients also offer long lifecycles and increased reliability and uptime. It all adds up helping customers reduce TCO.

Speaking of costs, thin clients can be up to 80 percent more power efficient than traditional desktop PCs with similar capabilities.⁽¹⁾  Multiply that by the number of desktops across an enterprise and imagine the energy and cost savings potential.

HP.com: In closing, why should customers choose HP thin clients over others?

HP Thin Clients are more secure, affordable and easier to manage than ever before. Further, HP is the only major vendor that provides a complete portfolio of remote client solutions, along with servers, software, networking gear, and services. We also have the largest portfolio of thin clients available. It all comes down to giving customers more flexibility to choose the right access device with the right features for the right users. Combine that with the security, management and cost-saving advantages, and you have a great business case for buying HP thin clients.