Thin Clients

Role of Thin Client Computers in the Retail Industry

Multi-store retailers have been embracing thin client computers for years. We give you the critical information you need about the role client computing plays in the retail industry and tell you how it can benefit your retail operation.

In recent years, thin client computers have become an attractive technology option for companies who want to give their workers access to select system functions without sacrificing control or system security.

Companies in the financial and defense sectors regularly employ thin client solutions, and the technology is rapidly gaining ground in other industries as well.

Thin client computing and the retail sector are natural partners. Most retail workers don't require an independent computing platform. Instead, clerks need a terminal connection that enables them to perform a few select functions -- and that's exactly what thin client technology gives them. Here are a few more things to consider about the role of thin client computers in the retail industry.

• Rapid expansion. IT concerns can severely limit your retail operations ability to rapidly add new store locations or additional workstations. Thin client technology minimizes this limitation because it centralizes applications and data in a single server location.
• Portability. Adding or reducing workstations across multiple retail locations is quick and easy in a thin client computing environment. Thin client terminals are highly portable and can be quickly transferred between locations as a way to accommodate variable workloads.
• Data security. Thin client solutions dramatically decrease the risk of data security breaches because all data is stored on a single server rather than on individual hard drives. This is a particularly important feature for retail operations that handle a high volume of credit card data and personal information about their customers.
• Durability. Wear and tear is an issue with most point-of-sale technology devices. High customer volumes and multiple retail staff members make it necessary to implement durable devices. Thin client terminals are extremely durable because they have very few moving parts.
• Simplified IT. One of the most significant benefits of thin client computing for retail and other industries is that it gives IT personnel the ability to maintain dispersed technological assets from a single server location. Multi-site retail operations experience reductions in the need for on-site support and IT maintenance.
• Cost. Thin client technology is the most cost-efficient approach to retail computing. The cost of the average thin client workstation is as low as $400 and thin client terminals need to be replaced less frequently because they have a longer hardware life than standalone devices.

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