10ZiG Welcomes WES 7 as New Thin Client OS

July 20, 2010 Alex Woodie

10ZiG Technology is now selling two thin clients pre-loaded with the embedded version of the Windows 7 operating system. The Phoenix, Arizona, company, which supports 5250 emulation on most of its thin client devices, claims that it is the first thin client vendor to support the new Microsoft operating system.

Windows Embedded Standard 7, or WES 7, is a componentized version of the Windows 7 operating system that allows Microsoft’s partners to customize the platform according to their needs. Partners are given tools that allow them to activate individual applications, services, or drivers, or turn them off if they’re not needed.

10ZiG is supporting WES 7 on two of its thin clients, including the RBT-617v and XTC-6000v. The two devices are similar in that they both sport 1.6 GHz chips, a VIA Eden processor in the case of the XTC 6000v, and a dual-threaded Intel Atom processor in the case of the RBT-617v. Both support up to 2 GB of RAM, and up to 16 GB of flash-memory-based storage.

Both devices come preloaded with a similar stack of software, including Internet Explorer version 8, Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) version 7, Adobe‘s Flash player, Java virtual machines, and a choice of virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) clients, such as Citrix XenDesktop, VMware‘s View 4, or Quest Software‘s vWorkplace. The BOSaNOVA 5250 emulator can also be added for customers that need to connect to IBM i, i5/OS, or OS/400 servers.

One of the main differences between 10ZiG’s two WES 7 thin clients is the XTC6000v’s capability to support serial and parallel devices through an optional PCI card, which is important for customers wishing to connect legacy equipment. The RBT-617v is slightly more energy efficient, consuming an average of 12 watts, compared to the XTC6000v’s 14.

Both devices get access to the new Easy Print for Terminal Services technology from Microsoft. According to 10ZiG, Easy Print enables users to print to local printers without the need to install printer drivers on the server. It also allows for a more consistent printing experience between local and remote sessions, the company says.

In claiming to be the first thin client vendor to support WES 7, 10ZiG takes a bow. “The availability of Windows Embedded Standard 7 on 10ZiG Thin Clients displays our ability to quickly meet industry requirements and we’re pleased to be the first thin client vendor to make this release available,” 10ZiG president Martin Pladgeman says.