Automotive Industry Drives Down IT Management Costs with Wyse Thin Clients

Champion Labs Uses Wyse Thin Clients on Dirty and Hot Factory Floor for Enhanced Security and Reliability

San Jose, CA – 28/07/2003 - Wyse Technology, the domain experts in server-centric computing, today announced that its Wyse® Winterm™ thin clients have filtered out high computing management and maintenance costs for Champion Laboratories, a major supplier of positive crankcase valves and filters for the automotive industry. Champion deployed Wyse thin clients to replace their existing dumb terminals and PCs that could not stand up to the grueling conditions within the factory. The Wyse Windows® terminals are more reliable because they have no moving parts, such as fans or hard drives, which can break down in the heat and dirt of a manufacturing environment. The installation of Wyse Windows terminals has also empowered Champion to reduce its operating and management costs and minimize downtime on the factory floor.

"To successfully compete against engine filter manufacturers worldwide, we cannot afford to shut down our factory because of technology breakdowns," said Rich Sherrick, PC Analyst for Champion Laboratories. "Wyse's focused expertise in server-centric computing set them apart as the natural partner to solve these IT challenges. And the Wyse thin clients stand up to the constant heat and stress on the shop floor and allow us to significantly reduce IT management costs. Furthermore, these Windows terminals have increased our productivity since they are easy for employees to use."

Champion Laboratories has deployed two different Wyse Winterm models on the shop floor, installing the Powerful, easy-to-use Winterm 3235LE to replace its legacy data-collection terminals, and the PC-like Flexible Winterm 9455XL, to take the place of existing PCs that were used to run manufacturing applications on the desktop. The shift from aging terminals to Wyse thin clients allowed Champion to transition to a more sophisticated and efficient data collection system. The switch from legacy PCs to the Winterm 9455XL, which is built around the Windows XP Embedded operating system, combines the durability and security of a Wyse thin client with support for local applications and the most advanced Web browser available, Internet Explorer 6.0. As an added benefit, the Wyse thin clients provide support for wireless networks, which allow Champion's IT staff to easily adjust the location of the devices without any need to re-route network cables on the crowded shop floor.

"Champion Laboratories' server-centric computing deployment illustrates how Wyse thin clients excel in extremely hot, demanding and difficult environments," said David Rand, director of corporate marketing for Wyse Technology. "In addition to being able to withstand such harsh conditions, Wyse thin clients deliver a level of affordability, security and manageability that far exceeds alternative technology like standalone or blade PCs. Now Champion's employees can focus on their jobs, rather than whether or not their computer will break down - without warning - and halt the production line."

Wyse's server-centric solutions provide additional advantages for IT administrators who face the challenge of managing and maintaining their computing infrastructure without stopping production on the factory floor. Wyse thin clients eliminate the need to physically install security and software updates and upgrades on the client device, and maintenance to be performed centrally from the corporate data center.

About Wyse Technology

Wyse Technology is the global leader in thin computing-based virtualization software and hardware solutions. Wyse and its strategic partners, including, Citrix®, IBM®, Microsoft®, Novell®, VMware®, and others deliver the innovative hardware, infrastructure software, and services that formulate the benefits of cloud computing, virtualization and Green IT. These thin computing solutions allow consumers, public and private enterprises to access the application information they need, but with better security, manageability, and at a much lower total cost of ownership than a PC. Wyse is headquartered in San Jose, California, with offices worldwide.

For more information, visit the Wyse website at http://www.wyse.co.uk or call 0845 604 0038 (UK only) or +44 (0) 118 934 2200

All brands and names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

For further information contact:

David Angwin
Director of Marketing - EMEA

dangwin@wyse.com

+ 44 (0)118 982 8306