X-Solutions, the distributor of Network Computing Devices (NCD) products in South Africa, announced NCD ThinPATH Manager, the industry`s first innovative set of remote management tools for Windows-based terminals (WBT).
According to X-Solutions business development manager John Cato, NCD ThinPATH Manager solves the customer problem of how to easily and cost-effectively deploy desktops and applications. "Through a comprehensive set of software tools, NCD ThinPATH Manager enables desktops to be configured and administered remotely from a central location. NCD`s ThinPATH Manager complements MicrosoftWindows NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition, as well as Terminal Server with Citrix MetaFrame 1.8 installations. It will also be available for Windows 2000 Server when that product is released."
As companies and Application Services Providers (ASP) deploy Windows-based terminals in larger quantities and across multiple locations, it becomes vitally important to manage the devices and the accessible applications in a hands-free way. "NCD ThinPATH Manager is designed to make it as easy to deploy and manage thousands of terminals as it is to handle a dozen," adds Cato.
The new software provides centralised configuration tools that allow an administrator to control the behavior of all of their Windows-CE based terminals from a Windows NT server whether they are installed in a corporate environment or deployed by an ASP at a customer site.
Once deployed, terminals can be monitored and maintained from any web browser anywhere on the network using the Web-based Administration tools included in the package. "And, with the industry`s first Wake-on-LAN support in a thin client, our Windows CE-based terminals can be remotely powered up for administering during off-hours," said Cato.
"Intel is pleased to see Wired for Management capabilities in a broadening segment of the desktop client market," said Intel Architecture Business Group vice president Will Swope. "NCD is a leading supplier of thin client with Wake-on-LAN capabilities on Intel Architecture clients, now supported by NCD ThinPATH Manager software."
"This exciting product introduction, in conjunction with NCD`s recent decision to provide NCD ThinPATH Plus at no charge, offers a compelling solution for customers," said Microsoft lead product manager Solveig Whittle. "Because it helps solve the customer need for cost savings in large Terminal Server deployments, the desktop remote management software provided by NCD will be a good complement to the remote administration functionality already included in Windows 2000 Terminal Services."
NCD ThinPATH Manager is comprised of two Windows NT-based management tools and a unique Web-based server tool. Used to create configurations that are loaded by the Windows-based terminals, the Remote Configuration Tool is a graphical user interface on the NT server. All terminal configuration properties and user sessions can be defined remotely. System Administrators can set a terminal configuration on a global, workgroup or individual level. Deployment time is drastically reduced and desktops are tailored to the end user`s specific needs.
Web-based Administration is the industry`s first web-based management tool. An NCD ThinSTAR Windows-based Terminal can be administered from any browser on the corporate network. Access to the server is secure and password protected to prevent unauthorized use. The tool is designed to enable Help Desk staff to review and correct the terminal`s configuration.
NCD is the first to implement part of Intel`s Wired for Management initiative in a thin client. With the Remote Restart Tool, an NCD ThinSTAR can be brought into a state to request configuration and flash memory updates. Intel architecture-based NCD ThinSTAR Windows-based Terminals utilise Wake-on-LAN functionality. Customers realize reduced costs by off-hours and remote management of the terminal.
"We are very impressed with how easy NCD ThinPATH Manager made it to setup, identify and administer applications for a department or group of thin client users," said Hillcrest Healthcare Systems network specialist Cliff Cloyd. "We have deployed 300 NCD ThinSTAR Windows-based Terminals and as we upgrade software and add new devices to the network, the time it takes to configure and administer the devices will be dramatically reduced using NCD`s management software. We expect this will provide us with a lower total cost of ownership as well."
NCD ThinPATH Manager is available at $145 (about R850) and includes 5 user licenses. To get your free copy of NCD ThinPATH Plus visit the NCD web site at http://www.ncd.com/.
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