The worldwide thin-client market grew by 34.7% in 1997, largely due to vendors increasing access to Windows applications and to the growing availability of Java-capable and browser-capable thin clients, according to Zona Research, Inc.
In its recently published report, "The Thin Client Market - 1998 and Beyond," Zona reports that factory revenues climbed to $350.15 million, with 347,917 units shipped last year.
Independent Computing Architecture (ICA)-capable thin clients - which allow non-Windows-based clients access to Windows NT servers - accounted for 48.4% of all thin-client shipments made last year, according to the study, released today. Browser-enabled thin clients accounted for 26.2% of the market, while Java-capable thin clients accounted for 17% for the market.
Thin clients are products that can access server-based network applications. They are able to use the server for application installation, administration, support and maintenance.
Other industry events that created increased demand for thin-clients were the introduction of the pure network computer and Microsoft Corp. and Intel Corp.'s support of the thin-client concept, according to Zona. Their backing lends credibility to the concept and is a reassurance to potential thin-client users, Zona said.
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Thin clients will never replace PCs
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WBT overview and links
From Microsoft.
Microsoft WBT Server FAQ, with some T.share info
Hydra: Why didn't Microsoft do it in the first place?
Anyone with half a CPU would have expected Microsoft to create something like Hydra right from the start. Here's why they didn't. NC World, 12/97.
A Primer on the T.120 Series Standard
From DataBeam.
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