Network Computing Devices Inc will today launch new software that extends its thin client management capabilities to PCs in addition to the existing support for Windows-based terminals (WBT). The company is also re-branding all its Windows-centric software under the name ThinPath, to capitalize on its ThinStar WBTs, while at the same time differentiating it so the software is not considered dependent on NCD’s own hardware. All of NCD’s other Unix-NT based and Java and browser-based software retain their existing brands.
NCD’s VP marketing Jim Fulton says the additional PC support is an acknowledgement that desktop environments are almost always a mix of terminals and PCs. The new pieces are PC support via Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) for load balancing and peripheral, full audio and local printer support in the desktop support modules, which is called ThinPath Plus. The software emulators have just had their brand identity changed.
In the second quarter, NCD will launch remote management for its ThinStar WBT that will include centralized configuration, web- based administration, wake-on-LAN and shadowing – the ability for a client to be transmitted to a remote monitor. Also next quarter, NCD plans to offer royalty-free licenses of the client side of its desktop support software so other vendors can adopt its addition of peripheral, audio and printer support for WBTs and PCs. It will continue to charge for the ThinPath Plus server software.
NCD has made its Windows-centric software available in modules, but the prices are unchanged, says Fulton. ThinPath load balancing starts at $400 for five concurrent users, rising to $3,555 for 50 users; ThinPath Plus, the desktop support module goes from $300 for five concurrent users to $2,655 for 50. The acquisition of Tektronix Inc closed around the end of January and Fulton says there has been a net addition of about 70 employees to NCD as a result, taking it to around 400 in all.
