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What is thin client computing?
 A thin client is a simplified, lower cost computer that depends primarily on a centralized server for hosting applications and processing data. The word “thin” means that more processing takes place on the server, and less on the device. Thin clients have software that connects to a network and starts a dedicated Web browser or remote desktop connection. The thin client computing device itself has no moving parts.
Compared to desktop or notebook PCs, thin clients are:
Secure. Thin clients can be designed so no application data resides on the client itself, centralizing the protection of data from worms and viruses, and securing the system from other types of data loss, such as local hard drive failures or theft. In many cases, regulatory compliance is vastly simplified because no data is stored on local devices.
Reliable. With no disk drives, fans, or other moving parts, thin client devices have fewer points of failure. And in the unlikely event of a failure, a quick device replacement will provide a solution. Because all user data is located on the server, a new device will configure itself automatically, and the end user will be up and running in minutes.
Affordable. Due to their simplicity, thin client devices are cheaper to buy than comparable PCs. But the greatest savings are found in the lower costs of management and maintenance. Total cost of ownership analyses have shown, time and again, that thin clients are roughly half the cost of PCs, including the costs of acquisition, management, and maintenance.
Manageable. Thin clients are managed almost entirely at the server, which means far fewer resources are needed to keep desktop devices properly configured and updated. In fact, a single IT technician can easily manage thousands of thin clients. Also, because companies with server-based computing have typically centralized their server technology, travel costs for IT staff can be kept to a minimum.
Obsolescence-free. Thin clients typically have more than double the life span of PCs, and because all Neoware thin clients can be upgraded, changes to operating systems can easily be accommodated, extending thin client life spans even more.
Mobility vs. Security
More and more workers are relying on laptops and notebooks to remain productive in the office, as they move from conference room to office, or work from home or on the road. Laptop computers will account for ~40% of the PC market in 2007 according to some industry studies.
- By 2008, 41 million corporate employees globally will spend at least one day a week teleworking
- More than 66 percent of workers will use mobile and wireless computing
- Flexible work schedules will be available to 40 percent of all workers
- More than 5 million office jobs will be assigned to branch locations
Challenges of Mobility
Taking data out of the office on a mobile computer puts sensitive data at much greater risk of loss. Each year, hundreds of thousands of laptop computer, and millions of smaller devices go missing through loss or theft, or are upgraded or exchanged without first having their data removed. The potential ramifications — including loss of revenue, costs of remediation, and damage to reputation — are immeasurable.
- According to the FBI, laptop theft is the second most prevalent computer crime, with less than 2 percent of stolen laptops recovered
- In 2005, laptop theft alone accounted for 33% of reported data breach events
- Over 1.5 million laptops are expected to be reported stolen in 2004
According to a recent study by Ponemon Institute, an independent research firm on privacy:
- 81% of respondents report that their organizations have experienced one or more lost or missing laptop computers containing sensitive or confidential business information in the past 12 month period
- Another 81% of respondents report that it is a priority for their organizations this year and 89% anticipate that it will be a priority next year to protect their data
Who Should Use Neoware m100?
Corporate campus users
Users include workers who need a portable computing solution while moving from place to place within an office facility (conference rooms, campus buildings) with an local area network (LAN). Employees are connected to the network and their data continuously via Neoware m100’s internal wireless 802.11 b/g capability.
Commuting workers and day extenders
These include executives and employees who use a laptop computer “point to point.” That is, they use the device at the office, or while working from home or another remote office location such as another office, a client site, or a hotel. One executive of a major PC company noted that about 50% of laptop users only use their devices either at the office or at home. As long as a wireless or wired Ethernet connection is available, these workers will be as extremely secure or productive with a Neoware m100 thin client.
Knowledge workers who deal with intensively secure data
These knowledge workers who work with highly sensitive information, including patient information, customer data (social security numbers, addresses, credit card information), employee information (telephone #s, birthdates, compensation and other HR related information), especially when they work in industries – such as healthcare, government and financial services – where data security is subject to stringent regulations. Neoware m100 provides the optimum combination of mobility and data security, in a package that can ease the burden of regulatory compliance (especially where data audits of local hard drives are required by regulation). People who may meet such profiles include Federal employees, mortgage broker who occasionally work from home, healthcare worker, or insurance agents. HR personnel, executives.
Part-time / flex-time workers and outside consultants
Neoware m100 is a productive and secure computing platform for part-time/flex-time workers, such as data entry clerks, telemarketers, and call center agents. It gives them the ability to work at home or in flexible office space configurations. Visiting consultants such as accounting firms who audit financials, provide pension plans, or work with other sensitive client data would also be candidates for Neoware m100 as no information can get lost or stolen from the computer in hotel rooms, cars, apartments, etc.
Regulatory Compliance
Global organizations need to demonstrate compliance with state and federal regulations including GLBA, HIPAA, Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard, PIPEDA, Sarbanes Oxley, as well as over 32 state data privacy and notification laws.
Today, government agencies need to comply with regulations such as the Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-12 and Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) if there is any form of information security breach, whether or not it involves classified information. Even if stolen data is encrypted, many state regulations still require public notification.
Other International Compliance regulations include Australian Privacy Legislation, CNIL (France), Data Protection Act of 1998 (UK), European Union Data Privacy Directive, and Canadian Privacy Act.
With Neoware m100, there is little threat of data breaches since no information can be stored locally on the laptop. Neoware m100 offers employees with a significantly reduced risk by mitigating the consequences that stem from the loss or compromise of sensitive data, minimizing federal and class action lawsuits.
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