Enterprise

The recent acquisition of AirWatch by VMware is not surprising in light of the industry’s growing mobile work force. As more enterprises invest in mobile devices and development of new software applications for their workforce, their respective IT organizations must have a way to secure and manage their employee’s mobile devices.

Traditionally, it’s been the device manufacturers that have provided the software tools to manage hardware devices. But PC and thin client manufacturers never really focused on mobile devices. And maybe it’s good for the industry that they didn’t. Because they probably would have limited their software solution to only their hardware, just as they’ve done with thin clients. Why should a company be locked in to a single hardware manufacturer’s products simply because of a software management tool?

ViewSonic has always supported open systems, and was first to implement the Android™ OS in thin clients.

Android 2.2 first introduced support for enterprise applications by offering the Android Device Administration API. The Device Administration API provides device administration features at the system level. These APIs allow developers to create security-aware applications that are useful in enterprise settings, in which IT professionals require rich control over employee devices.

It’s these APIs that have allowed companies such as AirWatch, Good Technology, Zenprise, and others to develop mobile device management (MDM) solutions. But why can’t an IT organization use the same software tools used to manage 1,000s of mobile devices to also manage their desktop devices?

This was the objective behind the Citrix and ViewSonic partnership to integrate Citrix® Worx Home™ within ViewSonic’s new smart display, or next generation thin client. Our new smart displays provide an IT organization the level of security and manageability from Citrix that they have come to trust over the years.

It’s expected that Google will continue to expand the Device Administration API in future releases of the Android operating system. And that desktop virtualization companies will extend their MDM solutions beyond mobile devices and on to the desktop.

Open standards and cross platform solutions have proven in the past to benefit both PC industry suppliers and end-users. There’s no reason why it can’t do the same for the display virtualization industry and its end-users.

Read the full article here »

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright©2014 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

Citrix today announced the launch of XenApp 7.5 and XenDesktop 7.5, two new solutions that allow businesses to more easily leverage the elasticity of hybrid clouds. As a committed partner to Citrix, ViewSonic provides both traditional thin clients and innovative smart display clients that are fully certified to support both XenApp and XenDesktop.

XenApp dramatically reduces the costs and complexity of virtualizing Windows apps and delivering them to users on any mobile, desktop or thin client device.

XenDesktop brings hybrid cloud provisioning to enterprise desktop virtualization deployments, allowing customers to use Amazon Web Services (AWS) or any Citrix CloudPlatform™ by Apache CloudStack® cloud to flex, grow or transform their virtual desktop infrastructure. Unlike competing solutions, XenDesktop supports an “any cloud” strategy that does not lock customers into a proprietary cloud, but allows them to leverage any of the large public clouds on the market.

Together, XenApp and XenDesktop provide the only unified architecture for apps and desktop delivery, increasing IT flexibility and saving infrastructure and costs.

ViewSonic delivers traditional thin clients that are certified to support both XenApp and XenDesktop. The ViewSonic SC-T35 and SC-T45 thin clients are the perfect choice for Citrix VDI implementations. ViewSonic’s thin clients are ideal end point solutions for providing desktop virtualization in conjunction with existing infrastructure—they can be mounted to any VESA-ready monitor. In addition, the SC-T35 and SC-T45 support professional graphics applications and deliver a smoother virtual desktop, with excellent 2D/3D graphics rendering capabilities. The SC-T35 and SC-T45 are Citrix-optimized power houses in an ultra-compact 0.9lb form factor. When deployed for Citrix desktop virtualization, these thin clients deliver unparalleled power and efficiency.

In partnership with Citrix, ViewSonic also delivers innovative smart display clients that are fully compatible with XenApp and XenDesktop. Integrated with Citrix® Worx Home and leveraging Citrix XenMobile, the ViewSonic SD-A225 and SD-A245 smart display clients allow an IT organization the ability to use a single tool to fully provision and manage both their mobile and desktop devices in addition to allowing users to access enterprise-ready apps.

For more information on ViewSonic thin and smart display clients certified for Citrix mobile enterprise solutions, click here.

Corporate names and trademarks stated herein are the property of their respective companies. Copyright© 2014 ViewSonic Corporation. All rights reserved.

• Presenters are no longer confined to a small area next to the projector. They now have the freedom to sit anywhere in the room, usually within 30 feet of the projector (line-of-sight is required to maintain the quality of the signal).


• The projector may be shared with multiple computers in the room, promoting team collaboration.


• By wirelessly connecting a presenter’s mobile device to the projector, he/she can walk about the room with his/her device to interact and engage with the audience.


• Presenters don’t need to bring along their connection cables while they travel.

• The wireless bandwidth required for video streaming presentation.


• The WiFi signal range necessary for a large-sized room.


• The wireless connectivity stability that can impact the image quality.

<emZero/Thin Clients                                               Traditional Desktop PC/Thick Client

• 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.

• 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.

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.

InfoComm 2012 has come to a close on Friday, June 15. Three days seemed hardly enough time for anyone to cover the entire show floor, with such a wide array of new products being showcased. For those AV professionals and enthusiasts who didn’t get a chance to visit InfoComm, we’ve highlighted some of the noteworthy technology trends below.

When it comes to projection, Laser/LED hybrid illumination technology was the hottest topic around the Pro AV industry. This new technology breakthrough enables the projector to manipulate light and images without using the lamp or a color wheel. This results in more saturated color at a reduced cost all while being environmentally friendly.

From a display perspective, touch capabilities are on a fast growth curve. It seems like anyone with a display in their booth had a touch-enabled offering. ViewSonic was no stranger to this trend, showcasing several touch-enabled devices including the eBeam Edge^® technology, which turns any display into a touch device.

Interactivity is made possible with the latest plug and play solutions that will change the way retailers develop and manage content. As delivering engaging content becomes even quicker and easier, retailers will be able to engage customers like never before.

Want to learn more about ViewSonic’s technology advancements from the show? Click here to visit our tradeshow landing page. What innovative solutions did you notice at the show? Share your thoughts with us.

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?