HP software helps turn old PCs into thin clients

As software moves towards the cloud, many companies are opting for thin client architecture on the desktop. But this involves an investment in new hardware that may strain restricted budgets.

HP has used this week's Citrix Synergy event to launch its Thin Client Conversion Suite, allowing old PCs to be turned into a thin client solution at low cost.

The solution supports a wide variety of backend systems while maintaining the existing OS, reducing risk, and lowering costs for training and hardware. For IT administrators, the software provides the peace-of-mind that comes with the ability to confidently secure and control devices. Administrators can customize the end-user experience, use all existing management tools and benefit from an identical management experience across all re-purposed PCs and thin clients.

The suite provides easy device management and can deploy configurations quickly to a large number of devices, at multiple locations, at the same time. The software used to convert the PCs limits local changes and prevents unauthorized software installations, decreasing malware exposure and overall cost of management.

"Our HP Thin Client Conversion Suite allows customers to move to the cloud even if they do not necessarily have the IT budget to purchase new thin client devices," says Jeff Groudan, vice president and global head product management and engineering, Thin Clients for HP. "Our simple software bundle allows customers to optimize PCs with all the benefits of a thin client, ensuring superb end-user experience and effortless device management."

The suite includes five modules, HP Write Manager which handles configuration changes and custom profile setups; HP Device Manager to configure and maintain the install base from one interface; HP Easy Shell delivering a streamlined experience for HP Thin Client Windows Embedded environments; HP USB Port Manager to restrict access to USB devices, and HP Velocity to optimize the user experience.

You can find out more on the HP website.

Image credit: HP