Integral Axon delivers rich Windows 7
experience on ‘thin’ terminals

Integral Axon's Marketing and Services Development Manager, James Walls, says Integral Axon is now testing and deploying Windows 7 into existing thick or thin client environments quickly and easily, using Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). 

“There's a misconception that Windows 7 requires extensive infrastructure upgrading, and that moving to Windows 7 is a big project with large associated time and cost implications. That's simply not the case. VDI is a reality today with Windows 7,” Walls says.

Integral Axon's approach is to use new VDI technology to rapidly install, test and run Windows 7 as a virtual application on any existing desktop - thick or thin – by way of a web browser. This slashes the time, cost and risk of moving to the new operating system. A business can check user experience, management of existing applications and integration with existing infrastructure before they make strategic decisions about Windows 7.

“This is pure gold for companies considering their deployment strategy,” Walls says.

“We believe Integral Axon is the only company in the New Zealand market offering a full VDI service for Windows 7. Our shared customers tell us other service providers have not even begun to talk to them about using VDI technologies to get a speedy, low cost transition to Windows 7.”

The ability to use reliable low-spec thin client terminals to deliver a rich, high bandwidth Windows 7 user experience means customers can continue to leverage their existing investment in terminal hardware.

Integral Axon has provisioned an extensive laboratory facility that allows live demonstrations of both VMware and Citrix VDI solutions. Integral Axon is currently using an HP T5730 terminal to deliver a rich Windows7.0 user experience that includes high definition video streaming, i-Pod synching, twin screens and desktop video conferencing.  

“That's an example of one terminal – but it can be any thin client device,” Walls says.

There is also a viable business case in repurposing traditional fat clients as terminals.  For one of its customers, Integral Axon has improved the reliability and security of an aging client fleet by replacing hard disks with SD memory, giving the old PCs a whole new life as terminals.

“For the end user it feels like a PC, with no stuttering, buffering or interruption. You get the richness of an enhanced environment without upgrading hardware, and retain the cost and management benefits of the thin client environment,” says James Walls.

Integral Axon was the first large ICT services company in New Zealand to implement Windows 7, completing its rollout before the official launch date. This head start has resulted in valuable intellectual property around how to best design and implement Windows 7, with the maximum speed and the least risk, disruption and cost. 

Walls says Integral Axon's pragmatic approach to standardisation, applications testing and socialisation of previously packaged applications all contribute to the delivery of a stable, reliable, high value Windows 7 implementation. This approach includes fixed prices for work of a defined scope, to give customers budgeting certainty.

To find out more, or to book a demonstration, please contact your Integral Axon relationship manager or email James Walls.