A message from ACP President, Matt Crandell

During these difficult economic times it's especially important that the capital spending decisions we make are sound. Good purchasing decisions come after thorough research and they require valid justification. Here at ACP we understand that just showing you the latest and greatest in thin client technology may get you excited, but it's not enough to justify spending hard earned money on ThinManager. With that in mind we have committed to make the ThinManager Training and Technology Expo 2011 a value proposition based event.

Every presentation will include analysis of the economic benefits associated with server based thin client computing and more specifically the increases in return that can be directly attributed to ThinManager. Takeaways from this Expo will provide attendees with detailed documentation and quantitative results culled from 12 years of experience in the industrial thin client computing market. Terms like lower total cost of ownership and return on investment will be paired with real world case studies that demonstrate how using ThinManager can save your business real dollars both in the near term and over the long haul.

We know you have a choice when it comes to your industrial computing platform and we firmly believe we can provide you with the "cold hard facts" you require when you choose ThinManager.

The theme of this year's Expo is Win with Technology, Save on the Bottom Line. Former MLB All-Star John Smoltz is familiar with Wins & Saves. He is the only pitcher in MLB history to top both 200 wins and 150 saves.

After leaving baseball as a player, John has joined TBS and MLB Network as a broadcaster and studio analyst. As a business owner himself, John is well respected in the business community.

Since its inception in 1972, Jim Pinto was President and CEO of Action Instruments based in San Diego. In March of '98, Action was acquired by Eurotherm (UK), which in turn was acquired by Invensys in June '98.

Jim retired from Action Instruments after Eurotherm was acquired by Invensys, and since then he has been an angel investor, speaker, writer, technology futurist, author, industry commentator and M&A consultant. His popular JimPinto.com eNews is widely read.

Jim is an Electronics Engineer by background. He was born in Bangalore, India, and lived in England for 8 years, where he founded KPE Controls. He moved to the U.S. in 1968 and worked for Burroughs Corporation in Pasadena, California. He then moved to San Diego, where he founded Action in 1972.

9AM-12PM
Rookie Sessions

The Rookie Sessions provide the fundamental knowledge of the components that make up the ThinManager Thin Client System. These three courses provide the background and understanding that will be the foundation for the other sessions.

Microsoft - Rookie Session
Microsoft Terminal Services is the heart of the thin client system. Learn how to optimize terminal servers and avoid costly mistakes in deploying your terminal servers.
Topics include: Terminal Services Configuration, Windows 2003 vs. Windows 2008, Configuring 2008 Server, Microsoft Licensing, Deploying Terminal Services, Creating Users, Installing and Deploying Applications, Managing with Group Policies.

Configuration - Rookie Session
The Configuration session explores the set up and configuration of ThinManager.
Topics include: Defining Terminal Servers, Deploying Applications with Display Clients, Configuring Terminals, User Access, Adding Modules for increased funtionality, Terminal Groups.

Hardware - Rookie Session
The final piece of the Rookie Sessions explores thin client hardware. It will cover what hardware to use, how to configure, how to deploy, and how to replace thin clients. See how thin client hardware saves money for you, both at installation and as the system matures.
Topics include: Hardware Types, Configuring and Adding Hardware, Hardware Replacement.

1:00PM
Redundancy, Failover, and Licensing
Presented by Paul Burns

ThinManager is designed to prevent downtime and the loss of production.

Learn how the ThinManager licensing model prevents production loss through Failover and Redundancy.
Topics include: Failover vs. Redundancy, Licensing Models, License Activtation, Disaster Recovery.

2:00PM
AppLink and MultiSession
Presented by Paul Burns

AppLink increases your control over the user experience while minimizing maintenance costs.

Learn how you can simplify your application management with AppLink and MultiSession.
Topics include: Application Deployment, Limiting Users to Single Application, Granting Access to Multiple Application, Tiling, Auto-login, Application Override.

3:00PM
SmartSession and Queuing
Presented by Paul Burns

This session covers the implementation of SmartSession and Queuing.

SmartSession is a load-balancing tool that allows ThinManager to distribute sessions to the servers with the lightest load and greatest resources.

When a terminal server is temporarily under a load spike, Queuing can delay the new connection of terminals until the server has reduced its load to usable levels.

Learn how these tools can help speed recovery after terminal server failures.
Topics include: Reasons for Load Balancing, Enabling SmartSession, Configuring SmartSession, Reasons for Queuing, Activating Queuing.

4:00PM
MultiMonitor
Presented by Paul Burns

MultiMonitor hardware can greatly expand operator real estate without increasing management costs.

Learn how MultiMonitor can increase your productivity and performance.
Topics include: MultiMonitor Hardware, Spanning vs. Screening, Deploying Redundant Applications with the Override Function, Tiling and Moving Applications.

5:00PM
IP Cameras
Presented by Paul Burns

ThinManager allows the easy deployment of cameras throughout your system using the existing CAT 5 infrastructure instead of requiring the installation and wiring of a dedicated video network.

Learn how you can increase security and visibility with minimal work.
Topics include: Adding IP Cameras to the Network, Defining IP Cameras as Display Servers, Deploying IP Cameras as Display Servers, Adding Cameras to Existing Applications, Scaling and Cropping, Controlling with the ActiveX.

The simple truth is manufacturing companies exist to produce products of the highest quality at the lowest cost for the largest portion of the target market, all the while returning the greatest possible profit.  This balance of quality, cost, market and profit plays into every purchasing decision.  Investments made in the manufacturing process are justified by their potential return or more specifically their positive effect on profit.  Capital expenditures that generate immediate and long standing reductions in production costs yet retain quality while increasing profit are generally the most sought after.  These investments can be said to "Save Money" by generating favorable outcomes including reduced downtime, increased productivity or lower energy consumption.  Saving money over the long term usually means investing in the near term, and every investment needs justification.

We here at ACP contend that ThinManager is one of these unique investments that can "Save Money" both in the near term and over the long run.  Each session of this track will provide the justification you need to make ThinManager your next best business investment.

1:00PM
How to increase both short and long-term cost savings utilizing a ThinManaged computing platform

Presented by Tom Jordan

By default almost every thin client hardware device benefits from features inherent to the technology including centralized application installation and management, reduced power consumption, lower failure rates, and simplified security. These benefits alone can often be enough motivation for transitioning from workstation PCs to thin clients. ThinManager greatly increases these savings through the use of our unique thin client computing platform technologies including remote boot, replacement, failover, redundancy, terminal shadowing, module management, and more.

This session will introduce the new ThinManager ROI calculator app and its use with special emphasis on generating and enhanced return using ThinManager "Technology Gems".

ThinManager and Citrix

Presented by Louis McRae

Over the past 12 years one of the top questions our customers ask us is, "Where does ThinManager begin and end when it comes to running in a Citrix environment?" Although the vast majority of our users run in a Microsoft Remote Desktop Services environment, we felt it was time to set the record straight. 

If you are a Citrix user or you're just considering Citrix and need to know where it fits in with ThinManager, please plan on attending this session.  You might just find out that you can save money by doing without Citrix altogether.

2:00PM
Using ThinManager TermSecure as a cost effective way to limit unauthorized access to your sensitive data
Presented by Todd Garmon

In a world where price is driven by need, as the risk of cyber attacks rises so too have the costs of prevention.  Given the very nature of thin client computing you can expect the cost of securitization to be substantially lower when compared to PC computing.  As an example, the risk of viral infection or terminal theft is near zero.  Yet gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data from a thin client, which should be considered the greatest potential threat, is not dissimilar from gaining unauthorized access from a PC.  Adding multi-factor authentication tools like card key and pass code can greatly diminish unauthorized user access.  In a traditional PC environment these tools come at great expense.  In the thin client industry these tools are largely unavailable.  ThinManager provides for two-factor authentication out of the box. 

Using TermSecure and supported card readers, adding two-factor authentication is both simple and cost effective.   In addition TermSecure offers multi-tiered authentication for terminal services that includes obfuscation for the Windows username and password.  This feature greatly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access with very little overhead in management. If thin client computing is the path your company is considering and security is important to you, please consider attending this session. 

This presentation will give real-world examples and cost justifications for ThinManager TermSecure.

Saving money through sustainable ThinManager product technologies

Presented by Jamie Blanchard

When comparing thin clients to PCs directly there are obvious benefits as it pertains to sustainability that create an excellent business case for going thin, including energy savings and increased life span.  Additional savings can be recognized where environmental and end user needs are taken into account and this is where ThinManager really shines. 

For harsh manufacturing environments, ThinManager offers the only real choice of industrial thin client devices.  Office grade thin clients in harsh environments may lower your initial costs but over time failures and replacements are neither cost effective nor environmental friendly.  In addition, reducing your overall client count is still the most effective way to reduce your capital costs and client energy consumption.  ThinManager TermSecure makes this concept a reality by allowing two or more users to gain instant access to applications from a single thin client.  Client obsolescence also plays a role in system sustainability.  After 12 years of product evolution ThinManager software has never caused the obsolescence of ThinManager Ready hardware device.  The latest release of ThinManager today works with the earliest client offered from 1999. 

This session will introduce sustainability concepts that apply across thin clients in general as well as those that create profound justification for ThinManager.

3:00PM
Saving Money on a per client basis using Enterprise Level or XLi Licensing

Presented by Louis McRae

At what point does it make financial sense to purchase or upgrade from standard 5, 10, and 25 seat licensing to Enterprise Server, Site or even a multi-site contract? 

This session is for customers considering a ThinManager purchase or those who already have any number of ThinManager client licenses installed.  Our inside sales staff talks with customers every day about lowering their ThinManager purchase costs by selecting a more cost effective licensing type. 

This session will cover the ins and outs of what is included, what the costs are and how the licensing models work.  We never want a customer buying more than they need and knowing how the licensing works is your first step towards selecting the most cost effective ThinManager licensing both today and into the future.

3:30PM
Industrial Hardware
Presented by Thao Le

ACP has over 12 years of experience providing thin client technology to industry.  Since its inception ThinManager has been developed to meet the needs of the manufacturing industry from server failover to redundancy, ease of replacement to central management and remote shadowing.  And for all of those 12 years, ACP has made a commitment to provide enabling for true industrial thin client devices.  These devices have higher temperature ratings, better mounting systems, support for AC and DC power sources, multiple monitor interfaces, greater tolerance for vibration and yet a significantly lower price point than comparable industrial PC hardware. 

During this session we will provide detailed specifications on the latest industrial thin client offerings from our partner companies.  If you are in the market for industrial thin client hardware, please don't miss this hands-on look at the latest and greatest devices.

4:00PM
Virtualization in Manufacturing Environments

Presented by David Gardner

ThinManager has always been compatible with virtualized servers and with the release of ThinManager 4.1 in 2011, ACP has now integrated management of the virtualization features of these servers into ThinManager. You can now truly manage everything in one place. This session will provide you with some information on the different architectures that can be supported, as well as some realistic uses for an HMI platform. Topics relating to the needed hardware and how virtualization promotes efficiency and sustainability will also be covered.

For those that are new to VMware or virtualization, you will see that there are options for a simple and inexpensive platform that can give you the virtualization benefits right away. Anyone that has more experience with, or is currently using VMware, will also get some ideas about how to expand their current use to include their HMI, Thin Clients, and even Terminal Services. Some real-world examples of cost savings and usage will be presented as part of the discussion as well.

5:00PM
Metals & Mining

Presented by
Sandra Murre & David Braun

This vertical market presentation will introduce a successful implementation of ThinManager in a real life customer environment. Every installation is unique and our presenter has been asked to share their own experiences both positive and negative. Special attention will be given to the financial return our customer continues to recognize using ThinManager as a configuration, management and client enabling tool.

10:00AM
TermSecure

Presented by Todd Garmon

TermSecure provides a simple and cost effective way to regulate user access to applications.

This powerful tool provides additional control without relying on the cumbersome group policy.
Topics include: Controlling Operator Access with SecureAccess, Granting Roaming Applications with SmartContext, Using Card Readers and HIID Cards to Access Applications, User Account Strategy for TermSecure.

1:00PM
ThinManager & Virtual Machines

Presented by David Gardner

Virtualization has revolutionized how computers are deployed and used in the modern workplace. ThinManager has embraced these advances and provides an interface to this modern system.

This practical class is designed to show users and technicians how ThinManager can be used to control and utilize virtual machines in the thin client environment.
Topics include: Using Virtual ThinManager Servers, Using Virtual Terminal Servers, Using VMWare vCenter Servers with ThinManager, Deploying Workstation Desktops with ThinManager.

We will present an overview of virtualization in the industrial world called Virtualization in Manufacturing Environments on Tuesday at 9:00AM.

2:00PM
XLi PXE Boot & Common Hardware

Presented by Matt Crandell

ThinManager expands to the office by controlling existing thin client systems based on thin clients from HP, Wyse, Lenovo, and others. Our new PXE Server tool saves initial hardware costs and provides long-term savings with the ThinManager management system and tools.

Learn how to deploy common thin clients with the ThinManager PXE Server or your existing DHCP server.
Topics include: Hardware Selection, Hardware Configuration, PXE Server Setup and Configuration, DHCP Server Configuration, Adding Common Thin Clients to a ThinManager System.

3:00PM
GE Proficy Products

Presented by Steve Smith

ThinManager Platform 5 is the most powerful thin client computing solution for manufacturing HMI's available today. During this session our vertical expert will provide insight on GE Proficy HMI computing on a ThinManager Platform with emphasis on architecture, installation, programming, configuration and integration techniques as well as and possible pitfalls.

3:00PM
Wonderware InTouch

Presented by Ray Norman

ThinManager Platform 5 is the most powerful thin client computing solution for manufacturing HMI's available today. During this session our vertical expert will provide insight on Invensys Wonderware InTouch HMI computing on a ThinManager Platform with emphasis on architecture, installation, programming, configuration and integration techniques as well as and possible pitfalls.

4:00PM
Wonderware
System Platform
Presented by Ray Norman

ThinManager Platform 5 is the most powerful thin client computing solution for manufacturing HMI's available today. During this session our vertical expert will provide insight on Invensys Wonderware System Platform HMI computing on a ThinManager Platform with emphasis on architecture, installation, programming, configuration and integration techniques as well as and possible pitfalls.

5:00PM
ThinManager Product Path

Presented by Matt Crandell
in THE BALL PARK

In 12 years ACP has had 12 ThinManager software releases.  That's one release per year and next year will be no exception.  Currently there are a number of new product technologies we are working on here at ACP and I have been given the okay to discuss some of them during this session.  There is a distinct possibility that I will have a beta demonstration of the iPad thin client as well, so please plan to attend even on the off hand chance that you get to be the first to see something very special!

10:00AM
Municipal Water

Presented by Michael McIntyre

This vertical market presentation will introduce a successful implementation of ThinManager in a real life customer environment. Every installation is unique and our presenter has been asked to share their own experiences both positive and negative. Special attention will be given to the financial return our customer continues to recognize using ThinManager as a configuration, management and client enabling tool.

10:30AM
Oil & Gas

Presented by David Harris

This vertical market presentation will introduce a successful implementation of ThinManager in a real life customer environment. Every installation is unique and our presenter has been asked to share their own experiences both positive and negative. Special attention will be given to the financial return our customer continues to recognize using ThinManager as a configuration, management and client enabling tool.

1:00PM
ThinManager & iOS

Presented by Tom Jordan

ThinManager goes mobile with this complimentary app for iPhone and iPad. Expand your ThinManager administrator range by using the mobile version from anywhere in your plant. Learn how to reboot, shadow, view IP camera feeds and more, all from the easy-to-use portable device.

Demonstration will cover downloading and installing the app, the app interface and what you can do with it, and an explanation of how to download and configure the proxy server for use with the ThinManager Mobile App.

The ThinManager app allows administrators to be more agile and save time by diagnosing, supporting and correcting issues while on the move.

This is an encore presentation for those who attended a different track on Tuesday.

1:30PM
XLI & PXE Boot

Presented by Matt Crandell

ThinManager expands to the office by controlling existing thin client systems based on thin clients from HP, Wyse, Lenovo, and others. Our new PXE Server tool saves initial hardware costs and provides long-term savings with the ThinManager management system and tools.

Learn how to deploy common thin clients with the ThinManager PXE Server or your existing DHCP server.

This is an encore presentation for those who attended a different track on Tuesday.

2:00PM
Food & Beverage

Presented by Jeff Russell

This vertical market presentation will introduce a successful implementation of ThinManager in a real life customer environment. Every installation is unique and our presenter has been asked to share their own experiences both positive and negative. Special attention will be given to the financial return our customer continues to recognize using ThinManager as a configuration, management and client enabling tool.

2:30PM
General Manufacturing

Presented by Gary Bowers

This vertical market presentation will introduce a successful implementation of ThinManager in a real life customer environment. Every installation is unique and our presenter has been asked to share their own experiences both positive and negative. Special attention will be given to the financial return our customer continues to recognize using ThinManager as a configuration, management and client enabling tool.

9:00AM
Saving Money on a per client basis using Enterprise Level or XLi Licensing

Presented by Louis McRae

At what point does it make financial sense to purchase or upgrade from standard 5, 10, and 25 seat licensing to Enterprise Server, Site or even a multi-site contract? 

This session is for customers considering a ThinManager purchase or those who already have any number of ThinManager client licenses installed.  Our inside sales staff talks with customers every day about lowering their ThinManager purchase costs by selecting a more cost effective licensing type. 

This session will cover the ins and outs of what is included, what the costs are and how the licensing models work.  We never want a customer buying more than they need and knowing how the licensing works is your first step towards selecting the most cost effective ThinManager licensing both today and into the future.

9:30AM
ThinManager & iOS

Presented by Tom Jordan

ThinManager goes mobile with this complimentary app for iPhone and iPad. Expand your ThinManager administrator range by using the mobile version from anywhere in your plant. Learn how to reboot, shadow, view IP camera feeds and more, all from the easy-to-use portable device.

Demonstration will cover downloading and installing the app, the app interface and what you can do with it, and an explanation of how to download and configure the proxy server for use with the ThinManager Mobile App.

The ThinManager app allows administrators to be more agile and save time by diagnosing, supporting and correcting issues while on the move.

This is an encore presentation for those who attended a different track on Tuesday.

10:00AM
How to increase both short and long-term cost savings utilizing a ThinManaged computing platform

Presented by Tom Jordan

By default almost every thin client hardware device benefits from features inherent to the technology including centralized application installation and management, reduced power consumption, lower failure rates, and simplified security. These benefits alone can often be enough motivation for transitioning from workstation PCs to thin clients. ThinManager greatly increases these savings through the use of our unique thin client computing platform technologies including remote boot, replacement, failover, redundancy, terminal shadowing, module management, and more.

This session will introduce the new ThinManager ROI calculator app and its use with special emphasis on generating and enhanced return using ThinManager "Technology Gems".

ThinManager and Citrix

Presented by Louis McRae

Over the past 12 years one of the top questions our customers ask us is, "Where does ThinManager begin and end when it comes to running in a Citrix environment?" Although the vast majority of our users run in a Microsoft Remote Desktop Services environment, we felt it was time to set the record straight. 

If you are a Citrix user or you're just considering Citrix and need to know where it fits in with ThinManager, please plan on attending this session.  You might just find out that you can save money by doing without Citrix altogether.

11:00AM
Using ThinManager TermSecure as a cost effective way to limit unauthorized access to your sensitive data
Presented by Todd Garmon

In a world where price is driven by need, as the risk of cyber attacks rises so too have the costs of prevention.  Given the very nature of thin client computing you can expect the cost of securitization to be substantially lower when compared to PC computing.  As an example, the risk of viral infection or terminal theft is near zero.  Yet gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data from a thin client, which should be considered the greatest potential threat, is not dissimilar from gaining unauthorized access from a PC.  Adding multi-factor authentication tools like card key and pass code can greatly diminish unauthorized user access.  In a traditional PC environment these tools come at great expense.  In the thin client industry these tools are largely unavailable.  ThinManager provides for two-factor authentication out of the box. 

Using TermSecure and supported card readers, adding two-factor authentication is both simple and cost effective.   In addition TermSecure offers multi-tiered authentication for terminal services that includes obfuscation for the Windows username and password.  This feature greatly reduces the likelihood of unauthorized access with very little overhead in management. If thin client computing is the path your company is considering and security is important to you, please consider attending this session. 

This presentation will give real-world examples and cost justifications for ThinManager TermSecure.

Saving money through sustainable ThinManager product technologies

Presented by Jamie Blanchard

When comparing thin clients to PCs directly there are obvious benefits as it pertains to sustainability that create an excellent business case for going thin, including energy savings and increased life span.  Additional savings can be recognized where environmental and end user needs are taken into account and this is where ThinManager really shines. 

For harsh manufacturing environments, ThinManager offers the only real choice of industrial thin client devices.  Office grade thin clients in harsh environments may lower your initial costs but over time failures and replacements are neither cost effective nor environmental friendly.  In addition, reducing your overall client count is still the most effective way to reduce your capital costs and client energy consumption.  ThinManager TermSecure makes this concept a reality by allowing two or more users to gain instant access to applications from a single thin client.  Client obsolescence also plays a role in system sustainability.  After 12 years of product evolution ThinManager software has never caused the obsolescence of ThinManager Ready hardware device.  The latest release of ThinManager today works with the earliest client offered from 1999. 

This session will introduce sustainability concepts that apply across thin clients in general as well as those that create profound justification for ThinManager.

(Comprehensive Support and Maintenance contract must be current)