Jason Holstein

The desktop display is poised for an amazing evolution as we shift towards the Post-PC era. Virtualization, software-as-a-service (SaaS), cloud-based storage and mobile applications are all becoming predominant in today’s business world as we migrate away from the traditional desktop of yesterday. The enterprise is looking to these zero/thin client solutions to reduce business operating costs, improve productivity and instantly connect to the cloud, the Internet, virtualized environments, web-based apps (such as CRM tools, multimedia presentations or digital dictation solutions), social networks and more.

 

According to a Gartner forecast, global shipments of thin clients are expected to nearly double between 2011 and 2014, while spending on SaaS products is projected to grow more than 50 percent by 2015. Thin client applications can be found in government, call centers, medical offices, schools, airline ticketing and manufacturing plants to enable centrally-managed scalable solutions while lowering Total Cost of Ownership (“TCO”).

 



While zero and thin clients can be cost-effective alternatives to traditional desktop PCs, it is important to note that these solutions are not one-size-fits-all. For instance, certain applications may still require individual desktop PCs for processor-intensive tasks. Multimedia production applications, for example, may require a greater amount of bandwidth that would make a zero/thin client solution cost prohibitive. To help business owners determine the best computing solution for their needs and the key distinctions between the zero/thin vs. traditional desktop PC (thick client), read on for a quick comparison guide from Webopedia™.

 

<emZero/Thin Clients                                               Traditional Desktop PC/Thick Client

 

Easy to deploy requiring no extra or specialized software installation	More expensive and time consuming for IT to deploy
Needs validation with the server after data capture	Data verified by client not server (immediate validation)
If the server goes down, data collection is halted as the client needs constant communication with the server	Only require intermittent communication with server, client/workstation equipped with robust technology and provides better uptime
Cannot be interfaced with other equipment (in plants or factory settings for example)	Can interface with other equipments independently
More potential downtimes	Less potential downtimes
Require less resources on workstation but more on servers	Require more resources on individual client/workstation but less on server
More portable in that All applications are on the server so any workstation can access	Not portable in that most resources are stored on individual client/workstation
Opportunity to use older, outdated PCs as clients	Individual client/workstation needs to be upgraded to newer and more advanced PC to increase performance.
Reduced security threat	Increased security issues

There is a tremendous growth opportunity in zero/thin client solutions afforded by the virtualization of servers, applications and desktops. ViewSonic recognizes this market trend and continues to develop innovative new display solutions to facilitate the cloud transition while offering support of industry standard cloud-based computing protocols including Citrix, VMWare, RDP, RemoteFX and PCoIP. Through these partnerships, any of our traditional desktop displays can be transformed into a smart connected network display and multi-client solution to support businesses and organizations in their efforts to deploy secure, scalable thin client configurations. Learn more from our white paper here.

 

What display solutions support your individual enterprise demands? Share your experiences with us on our blog.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Footnote: Gartner’s Global SaaS Spending Report, 1H12 Update (March 2012)

Is your business BYOD–phobic (ie. afraid of the implications around employees bringing their personal devices into the workplace)? We already know that BYOD increases employee satisfaction, boosts work productivity and decreases mobile device costs. We also know that IT security concerns can be addressed with security solutions available on the market. But if your organization is still reluctant to jump on the BYOD program because of the potential variable costs, read on.

Below we have highlighted strategies for businesses to reduce their spending around two key variable expense areas:



Monthly wireless/data plan bill:

• Establish a clear cost ownership and pay scale guideline for the dual-purpose mobile device base on job dependency.


• Pre-negotiate a discounted contract with a single network carrier to achieve cost savings of anywhere from 10 to 20 percent. This can also serve as a perk for employees who use BYOD on employee paid basis.

IT help desk cost:

• Say “no” to supporting and troubleshooting personal device issues that are not business related – for example, problems with non-business apps or network connectivity.


• Establish clear guidelines to determine if an IT problem is a device issue, carrier issue, or business app issue before straining IT resources.


• Allow self-service on routine activities such as policy acceptance, enrollment, adding new apps, etc.

Although BYOD programs consist of many variable costs, there are also many favorable hidden economic values that organizations should be aware of. According to Monica Basso, Research VP at information technology research firm Gartner, BYOD reinforces personal responsibility, as employees are more cost conscious when they are using their own device, including being more sparing when roaming and being less likely to lose their phone. In addition, employees are more willing to invest time to troubleshoot their personal device than to pass it on to the IT help desk, which has the potential to minimize IT help desk labor hours.

What is the right BYOD policy to support your enterprise culture? Share your experiences with us on our blog.

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

It’s a common question - do we really need technology to learn? The answer varies depending on how instructors utilize technology solutions to implement their lesson plans. No matter how technology is used, one thing is for sure – technology has definitely transformed the possibilities of teaching. We’ve all seen it in futuristic movies: a classroom consists of a giant interactive multimedia screen in front of the classroom and computer desks for students to work individually and collaboratively. The future is now.

 

It is a well-known fact that an engaged student absorbs information faster, and introducing technology to the learning process spurs students to think and learn in new ways. For instance, Kyrene School District in Arizona invested $33 million dollars to revamp their schools with interactive screens, laptops, classroom projectors, networking gear and education software to visually and kinetically accommodate different student learning styles.

 

Through this technology enriched learning, the students of Kyrene School District are now:

 

• using professional writing and editing tools and creative design apps to improve their writing skills and create higher quality PowerPoint presentations


• utilizing personal computers to get their ideas down faster while enabling teachers to edit their work more easily


• able to more conveniently complete and review work as a group using the cooperative technology solution


• participate in internet-based lesson plans for more immediate communication, including the ability to email the teacher completed assignments


• learning math through interactive games such as Alien Addition


• practicing spelling on interactive screens


• experiencing enhanced reading comprehension with interactive reading websites, and taking exams on laptops, with their scores being revealed in minutes.

 

As a result of implementing these advancements, students are able to master academic skills in a fun and creative way. School districts like Kyrene are a perfect example of how the classroom can be used to help students acquire the technological competence that is essential in today’s information technology era. What an exciting time for education!

 

To learn more about interactive presentation solutions to transform classrooms, libraries and auditoriums from ordinary spaces into exciting learning centers, read here. Have experience with implementing new technologies within the classroom? Tell us about it here on the blog.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

Are you a professional presenter or educator who reinforces onstage presentations with a laser pen? Do you find satisfaction from instantaneous interaction with your audience during your presentation? If so, you will be captivated by some of the unique features that current presentation apps on the market provide to help you engage with your audience while driving collaboration. Two noteworthy apps that we recommend for audience interaction are DisplayNote and Doceri.

 

DisplayNote is a software app that enables multi-user collaboration across any platform including smartphones, tablets and laptops; with support for more than 30 devices connected simultaneously. This app allows the presenter to share their screen while enabling instantaneous communication with other connected devices. In presenter mode, presenters or teachers can use their device to control the main screen, pass control to any other connected device, assign collaborative groups, send/receive private messages and view the individual screen of any connected device. In collaboration mode, the annotations and images on the connected devices can be displayed back to the main screen or viewed by other users. Furthermore, those viewing in collaboration mode can add their own private notes, underline or highlight what’s important, capture preferred slides, and save or email the presentation for later review. DisplayNote complements existing interactive projectors, whiteboards, and touch-screen devices, including tablets and smartphones running either Apple® iOS or Android™.

 

The Doceri® software app allows tablet owners to remotely control a PC or Mac that is connected to a display (e.g. projectors and monitors). A duplicate screen is displayed on the tablet to give the user total control and access to their computer desktop from their mobile tablet device. Doceri features interactive functions similar to DisplayNote, allowing the user to draw, write and annotate on the projected content with save and replay functions. Doceri currently doesn’t have the multi-user collaboration mode on their existing version; however this feature will be included in the next release. The existing version currently only works with Apple iOS, but an Android version is coming soon. 

 

Both DisplayNote and Doceri give users the freedom to instantaneously articulate their ideas during a presentation. Whether your need is for education or business, these powerful tools promote collaboration and audience engagement.

 

To learn more about interactive presentation solutions, read here. Have questions about what features you need for your specific presentation needs? Ask us here on the blog.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^© 2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Windows or Android? That’s one of the most common questions a potential buyer will consider when thinking about buying a tablet. Android-based tablets help users keep connected with family and friends and offer plethora of available entertainment apps. However, for those considering a tablet for business use, a Windows device can make all the difference when it comes to device security.

 

With Windows 7, businesses benefit from enhancements that help protect sensitive company information, including multiple active firewall policies to prevent malware and unauthorized access, and page file encryption for the safety of critical documents. There is also a Backup and Restore feature that makes it easy to backup and restore data and settings in the event of a system crash. Some of the most noteworthy additional Windows 7 security features as they relate to protecting tablet users include:

 

• Action Center: This feature alerts users to security threats such as an inactive firewall or outdated antivirus software.


• BitLocker Drive Encryption: To keep documents safe in the event that a tablet is misplaced or stolen, BitLocker automatically encrypts any data saved on a hard drive.


• AppLocker: This included tool gives IT professionals more options for managing applications and enforcing application standardization, while delivering sophisticated protection against Trojan malware.


• Microsoft Security Essentials: This software is available with a simple download and provides reliable, free anti-virus protection.


• User Account Control: Ensures that only an authorized administrator users can make changes to system configurations, while alleviating IT administrators’ stressors with User Account Control.


• DirectAccess: For those planning to use their tablet as a flexible work solution, Windows 7 tablets deliver remote users smooth and secure access to enterprise resources without the need to connect to a VPN.

 

For those considering a Windows 8 tablet, stay tuned. We will share an updated posting on Windows 8 and tablet security information once the OS is officially launched.

 

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright^©2012 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Virtualization has become critical for companies looking to maximize efficiency when it comes to sharing or collaborating on important documents, and protecting and backing up data. The beauty of cloud computing is that it’s device-agnostic, enabling vital company data to be stored elsewhere on a server in the cloud. While cloud-based services can be accessed from a computer or smartphone, a tablet delivers the best of both worlds, offering touch, mobility and a screen size that’s larger than a smartphone. Perhaps the accessibility of virtualized environments on mobile devices is a big contributor to Gartner’s 4 percent forecast for the growth of traditional PC sales this year.

 

When it comes to the cloud, tablets enable workers to benefit from the productivity boost that comes from being able to work remotely yet securely from anywhere, anytime. Connecting via the cloud also lets businesses ensure that should a mobile device become lost or damaged, its data is safely stored. Rachel Dines at Forrester Research echoes this sentiment by stating that the proliferation of mobile devices in the workforce offers the benefit of more flexibility for workforce recovery options.

 

While any Wi-Fi connected tablet can serve as a portal into a virtualized environment, there are several product features that companies should be aware of when considering purchasing tablets for use with cloud applications. These three features let IT departments check that the devices they let into their organizations are ready for mobile cloud computing:

 

• Certifications: Know what software certifications the tablet has and how that software will benefit your organization. For instance, a Citrix Ready certification gives the buyer confidence that a tablet will work seamlessly in a Citrix virtualized environment. Additionally, customers of VMware will want to ensure that their device is compatible with VMware virtualization technology.

 

• Operating system: Android or Windows? A Windows tablet is ideal for full-featured desktop computing functionality in a mobile device. However, if you need the tablet to run an assortment of apps, Android might be the better fit. If you’re worried about not having access to critical Windows applications, software such as Citrix Receiver can enable Android tablet users to work with virtualized Windows desktops and applications.

 

• Device enhancements: Take a look at the feature-set while thinking of what will maximize convenience and benefits for the user. For instance, an SD card slot can enable a device’s storage capacity to be expanded, lessening the need for frequent hardware trade-ins. Consider the environments in which a tablet will be used. Does the tablet have a USB port? If so, employees can plug in a full keyboard and mouse to create a mobile desktop experience.

 

How is your organization accessing the cloud? Let us know what devices your company uses to access virtualized environments now, and which devices do you hope to implement over the next six months?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have you noticed a reduction of paper used in your own doctor's office? According to the CDC, 57 percent of office-based physicians have been using electronic medical record / electronic health record (EMR/EHR) systems as of 2011, up from just 18 percent in 2001. To this trend, research firm, MarketsandMarkets forecasts that Electronic Medical Record and Electronic Health Record industries are expected to reach $6 billion by 2012 in the US alone.

 

There is no denying that digitizing medical records has the potential to keep patient documents safer and improve overall quality of patient coordination and care. However, this is only true if healthcare professionals have the right tools to help them effectively access these records. For the health industry, the implementation of tablet devices can offer the benefit of true mobility when it comes to showing patient information and making changes in real-time, while cutting costs for paper and the associated hassles of hard-copy records.

 

When determining the right tablet solution for medical industry professionals, it is crucial that resellers consider the following points:

 

Security: Clearly, security is a huge concern for professionals and patients alike. Windows-based tablets are an answer, as they include features such as built-in firewalls and data recovery settings. Third-party software and services can also further enhance device security and it is important to note that the Windows platform supports more of these features than the typical mobile operating system.

 

Image quality: Ultrasound imaging solutions manufacturer Interson Corporation is using our ViewPad 10 as part of its latest ultrasound solution to display images and data from its propriety ultrasound probe. As your customer will also likely be using the tablet for the review of critical client X-rays and other medical scans, excellent display quality is critical for an accurate diagnosis.

 

Processing power: For medical imaging needs, a higher quality processor may be required to handle a hospital's various software programs. Also consider that since FDA approval of the first mobile medical app in 2009, the use of medical apps will continue to grow and become more widely accepted, meaning tablets will need not only a great processor but also extensive storage options to support these applications.

 

What trends are you seeing in the medical field when it comes to the digitalization of client records? How do you feel the introduction of tablets into the medical profession will change the way patients receive treatments? Share your thoughts with us here on the blog.

Adoption of EMR/EHR systems by office-based physicians has increased.