Press release Alternatives to XP - secret software thin clients

Bremen 12 December 2013 - On the occasion of the expiring in April 2014 Support for Windows XP advises IGEL Technology to examine the options for action to avoid looming vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. As a solution to come along with new PCs and notebooks with Windows 7 and 8.1 Tablets in principle, zero clients and thin clients in question. But a further, particularly cost-effective alternative form also software thin clients. This combination of any PC hardware and thin client operating system with central remote management software provides the IGEL Universal Desktop Converter 2 (Udc2). The only requirement for the operation is the decentralization of applications, eg in a private cloud. Their development and expansion can be financed at least partially by the elimination of new investment in client hardware.

After April 2014 there will be no more updates for Windows XP. Experts warn of a wave of cyber attacks on the widely used operating system. IGEL identifies five alternatives to risky non-action:

Alternative 1: new PCs with Windows 7 or 8.1

Computers that run Windows XP for many years, often can not work on Windows 7 or 8.1 Update satisfactory. In these cases, the OS upgrade will require major investments in new, more powerful hardware. The depreciation cycles remain the same short, maintenance, administration and support similar consuming. Especially for organizations with multiple locations is the efficient solution does not constitute a

Alternative 2: new laptops with Windows 7 or 8.1

Due to their mobile and stationary usability to laptops and notebooks from companies enjoy increasing popularity. But as a general replacement for XP machine they are only good reasons. The reasons: high investment in hardware, sneaker management, short investment cycles and loss and safety risks. Through the use of mobile happen even greater investment in IT security.

Alternative 3: tablet computers

Tablets are much in trend, but are only suitable for limited business use. While some office suitable concepts including keyboard are now available, but these are also quite expensive. The advantages of high mobility are also still many unsolved problems with respect to, such as lack of peripheral interfaces. Without an external monitor work longer is ergonomically not responsible. However, the biggest hurdle is the administration dar. for the least mobile operating systems apart from Windows 8 there are currently satisfactory remote management solutions.

Alternative 4: Thin or Zero Clients

If a central or virtual IT infrastructure already planned or available, XP computers are often replaced by thin clients or zero clients. Desktop total cost can be reduced in comparison with a sustained unmanaged PC up to 70 percent. In the case of IGEL Universal Desktop thin clients can even be used to make automated remote all settings. The investment cycle for client hardware can extend to more than six years, thanks to the high operating life of three to four. The disadvantage here is new investment in hardware required.

Alternative 5: Software Thin Clients

The fifth and most cost-effective alternative IGEL recommends examining whether the existing hardware can not be 5 continue to use a thin client operating system such as IGEL Linux. For existing Windows XP machine which also means a performance gain, because IGEL Linux 5 requires despite extensive video support far fewer system resources. Instead of investing in new client hardware, the IT budget could be in a forward-looking central or virtual IT infrastructure (private cloud) flow. The standardization of client hardware is simple: Use the leading in many countries Thin client software IGEL Universal Desktop Converter 2 (Udc2) the IGEL OS can be on almost any PC hardware play: to existing and new, to stationary and mobile PCs , nettops and all-in-one PCs. Notebooks and laptops can use the system even temporarily boot from a USB stick, in addition to a local Windows system.

Save costs: short and long term

Using software thin clients all PC-based devices can be standardized, including management and support. The desktop administration costs are reduced drastically, additional electronic waste is avoided, the life cycle of the client hardware is extended. The scheduled for hardware investments IT budget can be saved or used for other purposes. In this solution each fall at low costs: the Udc2 license is for only 59, - EUR (net retail price) available - including the industry-leading remote management solution IGEL Universal Management Suite (UMS). With it, all software and hardware-Thin Clients and Zero Clients Available from IGEL can be remotely administered uniformly and with 100 percent of the settings.

  "Software-thin clients provide Windows XP users an opportunity to review their applications, their maintenance and user support to centralize cost to unify the various operating systems and GUIs within the company and an important step to go in the future," says Dr . Lampe, Marketing Director at IGEL. "Because in addition to the standardized access to applications such as Office, CRM or ERP software clients also allow the cost-effective access to virtual desktops or current cloud services like Microsoft Office 365, SalesForce.com or Adobe Creative Cloud."