interFRONTIERS launch NEC TCM 160, world's first thin client notebook, in the Middle East

The new Thin Client notebook has serious selling points for attracting business customers: a low purchase price and significant savings in terms of TCO. Easier to use, simpler to manage, NEC TCM 160 also provides greater security for data which stays centralised on server farms.

Lenia Iacovides, Managing Director, interFRONTIERS said, "Thin client architecture is answering a growing demand from businesses in this region that, above all, are looking for mobile, reliable and secure technologies, with a fast return on investment. Nowadays some large accounts and more specifically in vertical markets sectors like hospitals, schools and colleges, etc want to combine the benefits of thin client with the elements of mobility. Always informed about and ready to listen to the needs of its customers, NEC Computers is responding to this issue by launching the NEC TCM 160: a mobile thin client."

The advantages of a mobile thin client

In terms of mobility, the NEC TCM 160 has all the strong points of a laptop - light (2.5kg) and compact, it is easily transportable. This aspect is important when using mobility. For example, in a hospital environment, mobility is the answer to the constant coming and going of staff between wards and work rooms where data input points are generally located.

The absence of a fan and other revolving mechanical parts provides a real advantage as this mobile thin client operates silently. This idea comes into its own where the NEC TCM 160 is to be used within specific areas such as libraries or other class rooms. Its 8 Li-lon batteries give it a guaranteed autonomy of 6 hours, ideal for continuous professional use.

Finally the user can fully assess the elements of mobility of the NEC TCM 160, thanks to connections offered by Wired Ethernet, Wireless 802.11b/g or Modem. It can also access its work environment from anywhere, either inside or outside the company.

Unlimited access, but ultra-secured

In businesses as data are most of the time confidential, failures in term of security can be prejudicial. As this need for security is vital and essential, the NEC TCM 160 proves itself to be a 100% secure solution.

The NEC TCM160 benefits from multiple security systems:

• The NEC TCM 160 is a mobile thin client laptop which does not have a hard disk. So no data or any applications are stored on the mobile thin client. They are installed directly on to the company's servers which authorises users' remote access through a double password: they are displayed on the TCM 160's screen via Citrix ICA or Microsoft RDP protocols.

o So, no data can be accessed or used if the NEC TCM 160 were to be stolen

o Users can never lose their data, as it is stored on the server

o No risk of deletion or modification of applications, there is no need to reset the mobile thin client

• In addition, it benefits from reinforced security functions: a single-read file system which prevents any virus attack, locked user accounts, multiple interface locking levels, administration password and navigator in kiosk mode.

"The NEC TCM 160 is a mobile thin client which offers a controlled access to users: they can only have access to those professional applications which are directly concerned with the company's activity," continued Iacovides. "As a result, it will attract educational establishments, such as schools and colleges, as it cannot be used for personal purposes."

Simple and reliable hardware and software architecture

The NEC TCM 160 is based on an 800MHz VIA Eden processor which has proved itself as the processors with the most economic power consumption on the market. It uses a 64Mb DOM (Disk On Module) and has a DDR2 memory (from 256Mb).

The NEC TCM 160 has 5 USB 2.0 ports for connecting to printers, memory keys, an ADSL modem, and a mouse and ADSL keyboard or bar code reader.

The NEC TCM 160 runs with a Linux operating system LBT Mobile, especially adapted to the thin client/server architecture. Multi-task and multi-user, it can manage several software packages completely independently. Also this architecture allows the control of all types of management applications, ASP, Internet, business applications.

The new mobile thin client launched by NEC Computers implements the following applications: Citrix ICA Client, Microsoft RDP Client, terminal emulation, FIREFOX navigator, ThinPrint, Rexec, X11 R6, VNC Server/client.

Easily managed and a controlled return on investment

Based on a thin architecture, management and maintenance of the NEC TCM 160 are much simpler to set up, both from a point of view of using new applications and at operating level (back-ups, updating).

The lack of a hard disk and optical reader guarantees a very low risk of failure and increases the permanence of a company's computer stock.

For IT Managers, the solution offered by NEC Computers guarantees a sizeable reduction in costs. The low purchase price of the NEC TCM 160 and the low operating and management costs of the applications have a direct effect on the company's TCO.