Wyse forms services arm to support thin computing

Thin client maker's new strategy will combine hardware, software and services

Wyse Technology is to move into services as part of its strategy to expand beyond thin-client hardware. The company said it plans to offer post-sales professional services to help customers obtain the full benefits of server-based computing.

In January, Wyse will launch a professional services division to help customers move away from "fat" clients such as Windows PCs to a thin computing model, according to Wyse chief marketing officer Tarkan Maner. The new division will work with partners including EDS, IBM Global Services and Accenture.

"We used to have to explain the benefits of thin-client computing, but now these big companies are coming to us and asking for help to build solutions for their customers around our technology portfolio," Maner said.

The move is part of a wider strategy that brings together devices, software and services, according to Wyse. As part of this, the firm will in January ship its Wyse Streaming Manager, software that allows a thin client to be configured with an operating system and applications at login, based on the user's profile.

Maner said that many firms are now taking another look at thin-client computing, and that enterprise deployments are growing at about 30 percent a year. He predicted this trend will continue for the next three to five years thanks to new systems such as IBM's Virtualised Hosted Client Infrastructure (VHCI), where thin clients serve as the user interface for virtual Windows PCs running on a server.

Next year, Wyse also plans to ship a new family of thin clients integrated into flat-screen displays.