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Since 1999

Since 1999, ThinManager has simplified content delivery and device management in manufacturing to increase productivity, in a secure and scalable way.

Thin Client FAQs

Questions

What is a thin client?

A thin client is a computer with no hard drive or other moving parts. Thin clients operate on a main frame paradigm. All instructions and sessions come directly from a central, secure server. Each thin client realizes its own session and operates independently from the other thin clients. Because thin clients have no hard drives, there is no loss of data if a end user gets damaged or has a local power failure.

Why use a thin client instead of a regular PC?

The main reason thin clients are better than PCs is because they offer "Lower Total Cost of Ownership". This is achieved by removing the local operating system from the end device. The OS is centrally managed and deployed to the device at boot time. This reduces installation time and maintenance costs keeping downtime to an absolute minimum. For example, to update 5 PCs you need to reinstall and configure all 5 PCs one at a time. With thin clients you would simply make the update once on the server and all 5 thin clients would realize the update immediately.

ThinManager software allows you to configure and manage all connected thin clients from a central, secure server.

Where should I use a thin client?

Thin clients can be used anywhere you would normally have a PC workstation. ThinManager has a number of partners who provide state of the art Thin Client hardware. These thin clients range from office grade, to light industrial, to heavy industrial including Class I Div 2.

Thin clients are particularly favored in harsh conditions since most thin clients do not have cooling fans, are very small and easy to mount, and can be replaced within a few minutes, if needed.

Who should use a thin client?

Anyone seeking a Lower Total Cost of Ownership over expensive Industrial or Desktop PCs.
Anyone seeking to cut downtime and maintenance to a minimum.
Anyone that needs enhanced security and reliability.

When should I use a thin client?

Use thin clients when you need to have workstations that substantially "Lower Total Cost of Ownership" while remaining easy to install and support. Use thin clients when you have harsh factory conditions or when you need to supplement IT support for your OT environment.

How do you use thin client's I/O?

Thin clients have serial ports that map back to the server. This allows the application to simply read and write serial I/O as if the program was running locally. High Speed industry specific and time critical I/O should not be routed through a thin client.

Can I have a mixed environment of thin clients and workstations?

Yes. The protocols that thin clients use to communicate with the server are standard Ethernet, and so don't interfere at all with regular network traffic. In fact, there are many applications where replacing PCs with thin clients can actually decrease overall network traffic. Many of our customers install a thin client system gradually, first putting a Windows server on their network, and then replacing PCs one or two at a time with ThinManager Ready thin clients.

Which thin client management software supports IP cameras and mobile clients?

ThinManager supports IP cameras and mobile clients. IP cameras can be easily added as a Display Server and then viewed at any authorized thin client.

ThinManager provides several mobile client applications supporting Windows, Android and iOS devices. The Android and iOS clients (TMC for Android and TMC for iOS) can be downloaded from their respective app stores while TMC for Windows can be found at https://thinmanager.com/downloads/

Which thin client management software supports industrial virtualization and terminal services?

ThinManager was built on terminal services (now referred to as Remote Desktop Services). Remote Desktop Services, from Microsoft, is a very common virtualization technology. ThinManager is an industrial-grade software platform that manages Remote Desktop Services deployments as well as a variety of container-based deployment options.

Which thin client management software simplifies multi-monitor SCADA workstations?

ThinManager has a built-in MultiMonitor™ wizard that provides a visual interface for configuring industrial multi-monitor installations. From single workstations to large control rooms, ThinManager can easily expand the view of your OT workplace.

Which thin client management software improves factory floor cybersecurity and access control?

There is only one thin client management solution that was designed specifically for industrial OT environments. ThinManager supports multiple authentication technologies like RFID, Smart Card Reader, PIN, biometric devices (scanners and wearables), and ThinManager automatically syncs with Active Directory to ensure that IT and OT teams remain in sync while maintaining separate responsibilities.

What is the best thin client management software for HMI deployment?

The best thin client management software for HMI deployment is the one that delivers the right information, to the right person, at the right time. ThinManager can deliver multiple HMI applications from different vendors to a single pane of glass. Simplify OT with ThinManager.

Click here to read the ThinManager Product Profile for more information on our industrial thin client management and content delivery solution.

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