We’re Going Thin for the Win: 2022’s Top Tech Trends

By Faith James

1.) Cloud computing → the link to thin clients: thin clients have centralized processing. Storage on the cloud ensures data privacy and security.

2.) Hybrid work → the link to thin clients: all data can be accessed remotely with thin clients, giving end-users the ability to work anytime, anywhere.

3.) Sustainability → the link to thin clients: thin clients have no moving parts and consume an average of 10 watts of power per year.

In 1993, Tim Negris coined the term thin client (Gillis, 2021). Since then, the device has evolved, and is often used as an effective replacement for the personal computer (PC). By creating a more dynamic computing system, thin clients allow businesses to connect devices together. Through browser-based computing, desktop virtualization, and shared services, businesses benefit from no longer managing individual workstations one by one (“What Is a Thin Client?”, 2021).

In terms of cloud computing, thin clients have centralized processing and storage on the cloud.  Thin clients, themselves, are restricted by the server and cannot run unauthorized software. This ensures data privacy and security, being that data cannot be copied or saved anywhere except for the server. 

The global pandemic has accelerated the adoption of several emerging technologies. With hybrid work becoming increasingly prominent, thin clients allow for all data to be accessed remotely. At a lower cost than giving each employee their own desktop, thin clients give end-users the ability to work anytime, from anywhere, as long as there is an Internet connection (Knerl, 2021).

Furthermore, thin clients offer significant ‘green’ benefits which shouldn’t be overlooked. These include greater energy efficiency, improved reliability, less packaging, and fewer raw materials compared to existing PCs. Here at Bluewayz, we take it a step further by remanufacturing existing hardware peripherals to reduce our carbon footprint. Thin clients offer a greener, leaner and more cost-effective option for any work environment or business.

References

Angwin, David. “'Thin' Is the New Green.” Compare the Cloud, 9 Sept. 2017, https://www.comparethecloud.net/articles/thin-is-the-new-green/ 

Gillis, Alexander S. “Thin Client (Lean Client).” TechTarget, 23 Sept. 2021, https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/definition/thin-client

Knerl, Linsey. “Why Use a Thin Client for My Business?” HP Development Company, L.P, 11 Mar. 2021, https://www.hp.com/us-en/shop/tech-takes/why-use-thin-client-business

“What Is a Thin Client?” Forcepoint, 6 May 2021,https://www.forcepoint.com/cyber-edu/thin-client