basupport

Workstations

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Email: drew@basupport.com
Phone: 303.668.1100

Workstations

The sharp end of the stick – where work gets done

Workstations are the primary tool of the user. The workstation is where a user gets access to the software tools that get work done. The workstation is where the user can sign on and access all the programs needed to perform the job, the portal through which a user can access: Files, programs, browsing the internet, communicating via E-Mail. The workstation is the users virtual workspace.

The workstation is the hardware that gives the user access to the computer operating system and everything a user has been allowed to run. Workstations can be high-end PCs used for running Computer Aided Design and Solids Modeling, or simpler “smart” terminals (thin-clients) that allow the user to access a virtual desktop offered by a terminal server running office applications. In either case, the workstation’s desktop environment should initially be configured to conform to corporate policy and standards.

Show The Drew Way - Save more expensive PCs for needed specialized workstations – try thin clients
Show The Drew Way - Recycle old PCs into "thin-clients" by installing the special Thin-PC version of Windows 7

Most workstations (both PCs and Thin Clients) have many functions for authorized users:

  • The ability to connect to multiple monitors
  • Local speakers
  • Allow local USB drive connection (either simple thumb drives or full USB external disks)
  • Locally connected printers (although this is not recommended – please see the “Structure | Printers” section for details)
  • Local Keyboard and mouse / trackball / touchpad as a Human Interface Devices
  • The only caveat is that locally connected scanners do not work for Thin Clients (see preferred method under “Structure | Scanners”)
  • Any PC, if need, be can also run the Remote Desktop Connection to standard desktop software offered by the Terminal Server. This means that when you actually need a Workstation PC (for CAD or other highly compute-bound special instances), you only need to install the specialized software on that PC while all the standard applications (office, browsers, special Line-of-Business software) are running from the Terminal Server.

Your mix of PCs and Thin Clients can be determined by consulting with bāsupport, inc.