Plant Floor Computers with Internet Access
Just the thought is scary - and with good reason. No need to detail here the dangers and security risks that lurk every corner of the Internet. But using Thin Client technology and ACP's MultiSession it is easy to provide the good while keeping out the bad.
Insulate the Internet
Most companies have a computer or two that are allowed on the Internet. These computers can be isolated from the company network with firewalls. The problem is that to use the Internet employees have to physically visit one of these machines.
Many ThinManager users are now setting up a Terminal Server that is only used to provide access to the Internet. They then install ACP's MultiSession module on any Thin Client in the plant, and allow that client to start a session on this Internet machine. There is no browser running on the Thin Client - instead it is simply displaying an image of the browser screens being generated by the browser running on the Terminal Server. MultiSession allows this image to be presented full screen or in a window on the client. While it may be displayed on the same screen as an HMI, ERP or Time and Attendance program the sessions are completely independent. If there is some type of security breech it is limited to the Terminal Server that is running the browser and does not get out into your plant.
You can also use ThinManager to limit Internet access to certain hours of the day, or even certain hours per user. You can also limit which users have access at all. This is especially vital in manufacturing if you need to allow certain operators access to Internet resources from the plant floor during certain times of the day.
So, you can have it all! ThinManager with MultiSession allows Internet access from any Thin Client in your plant without causing you to compromise your security or operations.
For more information on ACP and Thin Client management software, please visit our web site at www.thinmanager.com
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