Businesses Deploying Thin Clients to Drive Desktop Management Savings

Reading. UK – January 11, 2011 – IGEL Technology, the world’s third largest thin client manufacturer, reported that its UK thin client business grew 129% in 2010 as organisations invested in their desktop infrastructure to deliver further management savings. In the UK, IGEL also saw a 457% unit increase in its Universal Desktop Converter software licenses, which allow businesses to convert old PCs and thin clients into IGEL thin clients. The major growth sectors were in healthcare, local government and retail.

“IGEL saw an explosive year of growth as businesses turned their attention to the desktop environment and looked at how to manage it more effectively,” explained Simon Richards, IGEL UK General Manager. “In 2011, we expect more conservative growth levels through a larger number of smaller deals as acceptance of Server-Based and Hosted Virtual Desktop computing, as a mature alternative to traditional PCs, spreads to small and medium-sized businesses.” Retail, professional services and charity sectors are expected to spearhead the growth for IGEL in the UK in 2011.

The thin client trend is backed-up by a PC Forecast Alert published before Christmas from technology analyst Gartner, which downgraded PC shipment forecasts due to changes in strategies from business. As well as smartphone and tablet disruption, Gartner analysts believe “desk-based PCs will be adversely impacted over the longer term by the adoption of Hosted Virtual Desktops (HVDs), which can readily use other devices such as thin clients.”

IGEL Universal Desktops are proving popular because they are ideal for a centrally managed or virtualized environment. With no moving parts, they are reliable, secure from viruses, environmentally friendly in power consumption and sleek in design for today’s desktops. Combined with IGEL’s Universal Management Suite of software, which comes free with each IGEL device, businesses are able to minimise deployment, administration and maintenance costs by managing quickly and efficiently from a central location.

"Although still a small percentage of global PC shipments, thin clients are proving to be the right choice for many businesses as they look to replace their existing desktops with a simpler, secure and more cost effect IT solution,” concluded Simon.