| HP to buy Linux thin client desktop company |
Jul. 23, 2007
Hewlett-Packard announced on July 23 that it would be buying Neoware, a provider of Linux, Windows CE and Windows XPe OS thin client computing and virtualization solutions. HP will be paying $16.25 per share, or an enterprise value (net of existing cash) of approximately $214 million on a fully diluted basis for the company.
In a statement, HP declared that this acquisition as part of HP's strategy to expand in growth markets and further its leadership in personal computing. HP made a particular point of stating that acquiring Neoware is intended to accelerate the growth of HP's thin client business by boosting its Linux software, client virtualization and customization capabilities, expanding its regional sales footprint and broadening its hardware portfolio.
Neoware has long claimed that among the three largest thin client vendors, it is the only one that is "committed to the Linux operating system."
Neoware offers binary compatible Linux thin clients based on industry standard Linux. The company claims that it has made Linux so intuitive you don't have to know anything about Linux to set up or use NeoLinux. NeoLinux is a thin-client optimized Linux. It is built on the Linux 2.6 kernel. It includes built-in support for Citrix remote applications and the NoMachine NX client. NeoLinux also comes with Firefox, Java 2, Macromedia Flash Player and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Its thin client Linux features a secure, read-only file system that's virtually virus proof because applications run on the server, not the desktop. This thin client Linux employs a hardened default security profile and a streamlined user security environment.
Neoware also gives users the option of the management solution they prefer for its Linux line, including ezRemote Manager, IBM Tivoli, Altiris Deployment Server and Microsoft SMS (Systems Management Server) 2003.
The company currently offers five dedicated thin-client stations for Linux: the Neoware c50, e90, E140, e370 and m100. Each client station comes with a minimum of Citrix's ICA, (Independent Computing Architecture); RDesktop, the open-source version of Microsoft's RDP (Remote Desktop Protocol); the TeemTalk terminal emulator; Netscape; X.11/XDM (X Window Display Manager); Snap-ins; and an interface that can be customized for users.
Each thin-client unit also comes with a variety of ports. These include the older serial, parallel and PS/2 ports and the newer USB 2.0 ports. Each system supports a minimum of 1280x1024 graphics.
"Our objective is to become the preferred brand of thin clients and software for virtualized client computing," said Kevin Frost, HP's vice president of business desktops, personal systems group, in a statement. "Thin clients are an important component in today's overall computing strategy and play a critical role in HP's virtualization strategy. Acquiring Neoware confirms our commitment to thin client computing and client virtualization solutions."
The companies claim that thin clients provide reduced maintenance costs, minimal application updates and a higher level of security compared to other desk-based computing products. The solid-state devices connect over a network to a server where all processing and storage takes place.
The transaction will combine the respective strengths of each company: Neoware's Linux-based thin client solutions and software with HP's thin clients based on Microsoft Windows(R) XPe and Windows CE and its virtualized client solutions, such as blade PCs, blade workstations, virtual desktop infrastructure and server-based computing.
HP plans to leverage the acquisition to remain an industry leader in reducing its environmental footprint through reduced noise, power and packaging versus desktop PCs.
"Acquiring our company will further strengthen HP's PC business as it extends its portfolio of remote client solutions and delivers secure, low-cost access to centralized personal computing," said Klaus Besier, Neoware's president and CEO. "We are proud to be joining HP, where together we will continue to promote the shift to virtualized client computing."
Following completion of the transaction, HP plans to integrate Neoware into the Business Desktop Unit of HP's Personal Systems Group.
—Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols
Do you have comments on this story?
Talkback here
NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!
Related Stories:
(Click here for further information)
|
|
|
Approaching the Linux Desktop
The purpose of this paper is to help organizations evaluate the Linux desktop against their own enterprise needs and discover what benefits the Linux desktop might bring to their organizations.
Migrating To Linux: Application Challenges and Solutions
Several solutions exist to help organizations migrate in an orderly fashion from Windows to Linux desktops. This paper establishes the characteristics of an ideal cross-platform solution and reviews these alternatives in light of this ideal standard. The paper takes a closer look at the pros and cons of various solutions and outlines the business benefits that can be achieved.
Linux Advantages: Publicly Available Information on Linux Software
This paper offers a brief summary of readily-available Linux information to help businesses sort out this widely misunderstood operating system.
Top 5 Strategies for Managing Linux
Despite continuous evolution in the manageability of Linux, a 2006 survey cited manageability concerns as a top reason why organizations are hesitating to adopt Linux. Levanta believes Linux can be as manageable, if not more so, than other operating systems by following key strategies. These strategic recommendations were developed from experiences in numerous customer environments, both large and small.
Why Choose Novell for Linux?
This paper outlines the benefits of switching to the Linux platform and choosing Novell as a high-performance, enterprise solution.
Enterprise Linux Selection Guide
Considering moving your enterprise to the Linux operating system? Since there are so many similar versions, choosing the right one can be tough. This paper offers a clear process to help you make an informed decision and get the features, support, and cost that are right for your business and technical needs.
Overcoming Challenges in Managing Linux
Levanta has created a new administration model with innovative technology that breaks down the barriers to making the most of Linux systems. This paper will provide an in-depth look at the workings of Levanta’s product, the first Linux appliance of its kind.
SUSE Linux Enterprise 10 for Retail Businesses
Discover why major retailers have switched to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop in the back office. SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop 10 is a low-cost desktop that offers a complete set of productivity applications and interoperates seamlessly with the other Windows, Macintosh and UNIX desktops in your store.
Moving to a Linux Desktop
Migrating from Windows to Linux on the desktop can be a substantial undertaking because it has the potential for touching -- and perhaps disrupting -- every user in your organization. Unlike a data center (server and infrastructure) migration that is largely transparent to users, the cultural and administrative transitions and environment readiness required to support a Linux desktop migration are extensive.
Seven Good Reasons to Exchange Exchange
This paper describes seven compelling reasons why you should switch from Exchange to Scalix.
|
|
|
|
|
news feed
