Planar Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLNR), a worldwide leader in specialty display solutions, today announced a partnership with Wyse Technology, the global leader in thin computing, to deliver the next generation of integrated thin client network displays. Planar’s entry into the thin client market demonstrates its strategic commitment to deliver display offerings that address specific challenges, such as the need within the enterprise to protect sensitive information, centralize applications and streamline thin client installation.
Planar’s new ND product line is integrated with the Wyse(R) thin client operating system – the fastest integrated thin client solution currently available. Designed for applications where space constraints, data centralization and security are key concerns, the Planar ND1750 and ND1950 are ideal for nurses’ stations at medical facilities, retail/point-of-sale work stations, call centers, computer labs at schools and universities, government offices and large enterprises.
Enterprise users have increasingly turned to thin clients for desktop virtualization technology to centralize applications at the server level, and better manage and maintain IT resources and data. According to IDC, a leading market research firm, thin client solutions are expected to increase 25 percent annually to reach 8.5 million units worldwide shipped in 2011.
"Thin client computing provides a variety of benefits, such as lower hardware and administrative costs, and better protection against data theft," said Bob O’Donnell, analyst at IDC. "With more variety in thin client form factors becoming available, we anticipate that even more end-users, and particularly corporate customers, will continue to adopt this technology for their IT needs." Current thin client solutions require a thin client box, a separate monitor and cabling and power supplies. Planar’s ND1750 and ND1950 save valuable desk space, decrease installation time and simplify cart or wall mounting by using one power supply and integrating the monitor with the Wyse Thin OS – the smallest, fastest and most secure operating system for thin computing at less than five megabytes in size. Planar’s ND line offers installers and IT managers an affordable, true "plug-and-play" solution that combines the power and performance needed for demanding thin client applications, with a streamlined and easy-to-use package. The offerings also come standard with Planar’s industry-leading Customer First(TM) three-year, 2-day advance replacement warranty.
"Our alliance with Planar gives Wyse a partner with a thorough understanding of the worldwide LCD channel and specialty display solutions, enabling us to deliver the most innovative next-generation thin client solutions," said Ricardo Antuna, VP of business development and alliances, Wyse Technology. "Combined with Planar’s agility and drive to deliver unmatched service and support, we are able to address challenges that thin client customers face today."
The Wyse Thin OS offers a boot time of less than five seconds and built-in support for Microsoft(R) Terminal Server, Citrix(R) Application Delivery and VMware(R) Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) architectures. It leads the industry in performance and flexibility when it comes to server-centric desktop and application virtualization.
Features
— Integrated Network Displays Powered by Wyse(R) world-class thin-client platform
— 17" or 19" TFT LCD with SXGA resolution (1280 x 1024) and integrated speakers
— Application software that executes several times faster on Wyse Thin OS thin clients than on other full-featured embedded operating systems
— Integrated DSP for audio, voice and VoIP
— Wyse Thin OS connection methodologies:
— RDP to connect to Windows Terminal Services
— ICA to connect to a Citrix Presentation Server, Desktop Server and Access Essentials
— RDP and Multimedia Enhancements to connect to a VMware virtual client (VDI)
— Available at an MSRP of $839 for the ND1750 and $939 for the ND1950
The Planar ND line will be offered through a variety of commercial, online and distribution partners in October 2007, and is backed by Planar’s industry-leading three-year Customer First(TM) warranty, with free two-day advance replacement and 90 days of software upgrades. To learn more, please visit http://www.planar.com/ND. These products also will be showcased at VMWorld, the world’s largest virtualization event, September 11-13 in San Francisco, at the Wyse booth (#220) and the Citrix iForum October 22-25 in Las Vegas at the Wyse booth.
