Wyse Rolls Out Linux Thin Client

A response to recent IBM-Neoware alliance

• By Scott Bekker
• 01/24/2002

Wyse officials stressed that the move was a response to the recent IBM-Neoware alliance on thin clients, not a strategic shift from Windows-based terminals toward Linux-based ones.

IBM Corp. and thin-client vendor Neoware Systems Inc. disclosed on Jan. 8 an alliance in which Neoware would supply appliances to IBM, license IBM technology for its next generation of appliances and get service, sales and support help from IBM's global organization.

The IBM and Neoware offering includes Windows and Linux clients. Wyse previously didn't have a Linux client in its current product lineup.

"We are using this product to blow a hole in that IBM-Neoware alliance in a big way," Jeff McNaught, vice president of market strategy for Wyse, says of the Winterm 5440XL thin client Wyse unveiled Tuesday.

McNaught says Wyse was able to bring the device to market so quickly after the IBM-Neoware announcement because it was sitting on a Linux-based terminal from an acquisition. Wyse bought Netier Technologies in late 2000 primarily for its Rapport thin-client management software. However, Wyse has continued to support Netier's thin clients, including a Linux-based terminal.

The Wyse product will start at $519. It provides access to server-based Linux, Unix and 32-bit Windows applications. The terminal supports local Java processing, Microsoft RDP 5, Citrix ICA 6 and locally-resident browsers. The Winterm 5440XL boots locally.