Thin client computing news – HP acquires Neoware

Company information

Have you heard the news in thin client computing? By combining Neoware’s leading Linux-based thin client solutions and software with HP’s market-leading remote client solutions based on Microsoft CE®, Microsoft XP embedded®, you have the flexibility to  select from the industry’s largest portfolio of thin clients.

So, whether you select Neoware by HP  or HP Compaq thin clients, you can feel confident that you can match the right access device to the right users to gain the features you want.

Thin clients can also provide a higher level of security while reducing maintenance costs and consuming less electricity, compared to other desk-based computing products. The solid-state devices connect over a network to a server where all processing and storage takes place, greatly increasing data protection.

What's new?

In addition to broadening the HP thin client portfolio with Linux solutions – one of the fastest growing thin client markets – the acquisition extends HP’s thin client solutions to include mobile and all-in-one thin clients, as well as ruggedized thin clients to guard against shocks and vibrations while traveling. This makes it easier than ever for users to stay productive from more places.

Neoware also brings advanced customization capabilities to HP’s line up of thin client offerings. For example, you can now tailor features and functions to meet unique requirements, such as adapting images to meet specific end-user needs.

Drawing on Neoware’s expertise in server-based computing, the acquisition expands service and support capabilities from pre-sales consultation to post-implementation support.

Dedicated field specialists and worldwide development centers are available to help you clearly understand thin client technologies and what solutions work best for your environment, helping to make your deployments faster and your transition successful.

Enhanced client security

HP thin clients can be easily configured in a simple, locked-down user interface that only allows users access to the programs you define and even locks down I/O ports like serial and USB ports. You control the user experience for higher security in your IT environment.

HP Sygate Security Agent on every HP branded XPe thin client model provides multi-layered security, including an application-centric firewall, application control, intrusion prevention and policy enforcement. HP thin clients support smart card readers, including the HP Smart Card Keyboard, enabling two-factor authentication for more secure access to your network. Further, some clients feature a lockable USB compartment for USB wireless.

Easy to deploy and manage

You can dramatically reduce the cost and complexity of managing your thin client deployments with a choice of Neoware Device Manager by HP, HP Client Configuration Manager or Altiris Deployment Solution.

Neoware Device Manager by HP can be ideal for small-to-midsized businesses that want to get up and running fast. Larger enterprise deployments can leverage Altiris Deployment Solution to deploy, administer and configure all data, users and applications from a central location.

Long lifecycles of existing HP and Neoware thin clients make it easy to plan and manage future transitions. Future products will provide backward image capability to key existing platforms.

Designed with the environment in mind

HP thin clients can provide up to 80 percent power savings over traditional desktop PCs with similar capabilities. A deployment of 1,000 thin clients could save up to US$40,000 annually in power consumption⁽¹⁾ , plus additional savings in air conditioning costs. Power-efficient products typically run cooler and need less air conditioning, which can help reduce energy consumption and save money.

Thin clients have no moving parts, such as the fans, hard drives or optical drives found in a traditional PC. This can translate into lower failure rates – less than one-quarter the number compared to a typical PC. That also means you can spend more time on strategic, value-add activities and less time repairing desktop clients.

HP thin clients are also available in convenient bulk packaging configurations in certain regions, which helps reduce the amount of materials needed for packaging while minimizing the amount of disposable material.

Lastly, HP offers innovative reuse and recycling programs, including leasing and trade-in programs. See the box for more information about a thin client trade-in promotion, ending October 31st.

Remote client solutions from HP

HP has the broadest remote client solutions portfolio offering, which includes HP Microsoft Windows® XPe, Windows CE and Linux-based thin clients, along with virtualized client solutions, such as blade PCs, blade workstations, virtual desktop infrastructure and server-based computing.

Now, with the addition of Neoware by HP thin clients, you have even more ways to meet a wider range of end-user needs, while you enhance security and ease management across your enterprise.

⁽¹⁾ Intended as an illustration of potential savings. This specific illustration assumes that HP dc5100 Micro-tower desktop PCs are being replaced by t5135 thin clients. Contact HP for more details. Actual savings a customer could see will vary and is dependent on many factors, including but not limited to thin client usage patterns, electricity rates, desktops being replaced, and manufacturing variability. No tool can adequately recreate customer's usage pattern and environment to determine exact cost savings.

⁽²⁾ Limited to 1,000 units per customer. All offers available from HP Direct and participating resellers. Prices shown are HP Direct prices, are subject to change and do not include applicable state and local sales tax or shipping to recipient's destination. Reseller prices may vary. Photography may not accurately represent exact configurations priced. Associated values represent HP published list price.