Optimize your audio devices for thin clients Content What is a thin ? 3 Where and why are thin clients used 4

A typical VDI solution 5

The future of thin client computing 6

EPOS partnerships 7

2 What is a thin client?

A thin client is a low powered that has been optimized for establishing a remote connection with a -based computing environment. All processing activities are performed using cloud technologies, and centralized desktop resources on servers in data centers. This approach is in contrast to a thick client or a conventional which has considerable local processing power instead of being specifically optimized for a client–server model as a thin client is. Most thin client use cases include a desktop environment and are part of a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution.

VDI is a technology that allows the process of running a user desktop inside a virtual machine created on a server in a , enabling a personalized desktop for each end user with the security and simplicity of centralized management. Together with a thin client solution, other components are part of a full VDI solution: the (OS), the virtualization Server: Shared data and the UC and CC* components. For large Personal data Server: Apps/software Data organizations maintaining control and management Operating system of their IT systems together with accessories such NETWORK NETWORK as headsets and speakerphones is paramount and that’s when thin clients come into their own.

List of abbreviations Thin client terminal: Business PC: VDI Virtual Desktop Infrastructure Operating system Personal data (Limited data) Apps/software UC Unified Communications Operating system CC Contact Center OS Operating System Difference between thin client and thick client

* UC and CC are part of the use cases of interest for this White Paper. Not all the VDI applications include UC and CC components.

3 Where and why are thin clients used? Thin Client benefits*

For the most part, thin clients are used by Simple, streamlined and easy to manage large organizations that are dealing with All in all, it’s the simplicity of these machines 29% sensitive data in sectors including: BFIS that make them so appealing to large (Banking, Finance and Insurance Services), organizations where IT management can Healthcare, Government and Education. quickly become inefficient and time- They enable the use of streamlined consuming. In a world where sustainability 88% hardware, often sourced at a lower cost, and is now top of the agenda, low powered run specific programs for specific tasks. This thin clients require less processing power Cut in Reduction in simplification makes thin clients more secure and storage capacity meaning reduced operational worker and more manageable. Moreover, thin energy consumption. Thin clients therefore costs downtime clients are less prone to cyber-attacks and offer large corporates an opportunity to viruses due to server restrictions and limits save energy and boost companywide on what software can be downloaded. Mass sustainability. company deployment often means simply plugging the machine in and configuring it remotely from a data center. 78%

Benefits • Reduced IT costs 40% (hardware and administration) • Higher security Boost in Savings in • Higher scalability overall worker Software and • Reduced energy footprint productivity Hardware costs

* IDC report “Global thin client market 2019” 4 A typical VDI solution

Thin Client* This is the hardware UC and CC applications developed A typical VDI solution includes the endpoint of the VDI solution. Thin to run in virtualized setup are following components: thin client client models are differentiated by CPU, available for the likes of Zoom (Zoom VDI), hardware, OS, virtualization software , RAM memory, FLASH storage, Cisco (Cisco JVDI), (Skype For and the UC and CC components. connectivity, 32 bit or 64 bit. Business, MS Teams) and Genesys (Genesys softphone VDI). IT virtualization infrastructure The UC and CC applications Virtulization software (e.g. Skype For Business, (e.g. Citrix -XenDesktop/ data center including the servers Audio device Certified audio Operating system MS Teams VDI, Cisco JVDI, XenApp, VMware - Hori- (e.g. Igel OS, Wyse Zoom VDI, Genesys zon, Microsoft - Remote where the virtual machines will be created. devices can be used with the thin ThinOS, or eLux) softphone VDI etc.) Desktop Services etc.) This can be on premise or on cloud. client to enable a premium communication experience while device management Operating System Operating software is used to optimize and update systems (OS) used in VDI solutions audio devices throughout an organization. can be Windows or based OS or proprietary OS. Data Center

The virtualization software This acts as an intermediary between the user A typical thin client setup for and the desktop resource residing in the Server a headset user dedicated virtual machine in the data center. The level of virtualization can vary from a whole virtualized desktop to a virtualized specific application (like for example Skype End User for Business). Thin client

* The hardware component of a general VDI solution can be a thin client or a standard PC; however, for the specific purpose of this White Paper we will always refer to thin client as the hardware component of a VDI solution. 5 The future of thin clients

As more and more people use mobile What is the EPOS offering for thin clients? devices in their working day via cloud-based EPOS provides two interconnected audio services negating locally run programs, device management solutions – EPOS the future of thin clients in the workplace Connect and EPOS Manager – these are –wherever that may be located– looks set both compatible with VDI solutions and to increase. The growing interest in the enable organizations to optimize and update adoption of Virtual Desktop Infrastructure their audio devices. supported by thin client computing as we have seen, starts with the lower total EPOS Connect is a client application that cost of ownership than traditional desktop can be installed on a thick client as well as computing. The lower footprint, the rising on a thin client. It gives the end user access popularity of cloud storage and the minimal to the latest audio device firmware updates hardware requirements of today’s operating and personalized audio device settings. systems mean the thin client market is on the up. Recent reports suggest the market EPOS Manager is a powerful IT will be worth 1.32 USD billion by 2023*. management solution that enables IT managers to manage, update and To keep up with this demand EPOS continues configure settings for EPOS headsets and to develop its offering for thin client systems speakerphones within an organization from so that all our premium audio devices can any location. work seamlessly and optimally with thin clients.

* www.prnewswire.com/news-releases 6 EPOS Partnerships

The dedicated version of EPOS Connect EPOS Manager – intuitive user Interface for thin clients is currently compatible with With EPOS Connect installed at the two thin client operating system vendors*: endpoints of a VDI environment, the IGEL and Unicon Software. following functionalities are enabled:

IGEL • Audio device management EPOS Connect is integrated into IGEL • Configuration management OS and once enabled via IGEL’s Universal • Firmware updates Management Suite (UMS), IT managers can download and install EPOS Manager. These features are all controlled through the user interface available on EPOS Unicon Software Manager. With EPOS Manager you can EPOS Connect can be installed on thin optimize your business across locations with clients running Unicon’s eLux via Scout secure, analytical audio device management Management Suite. IT managers can freeware. It makes sure you get the latest download and install EPOS Manager. firmware updates on your terms, boost company performance and minimizes the possibility of any downtime.

Explore our software solutions for thin clients further at: eposaudio.com/partnerships

* More partnerships will follow in Q3 and Q4 , 2020 7 405581840

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