Other Client Devices

Thus far, we have discussed PCs and Windows terminals as the most common devices used to access the MetaFrame server farm. Since the ICA protocol has been ported to Windows CE, Linux, and even some cell phones, the server farm can be accessed from a variety of client devices, as shown in Figure 7-3. We are seeing integration with devices from tablet PCs in the medical field to proprietary devices running global positioning for transportation companies. Though it is clearly not practical to run a Windows desktop on the tiny 320 260 screens of some of these devices, it can be very useful to run a small, published application. Imagine a warehouse in which each stockperson had an HP iPAQ with wireless networking and a physical inventory application that fed directly into the corporate inventory database. Perhaps your company has a large number of hourly employees who could use a Windows terminal touch screen to punch in and out of a virtual time-clock application. Using an example of sales force automation, perhaps a field sales-person could use his handheld computer to wirelessly connect to the home office and check stock before filling an order, or check and approve special bulk pricing for an important customer.

Figure 7-3: A wireless tablet device accessing a Citrix MetaFrame server farm

Once an organization has committed to deploying server-based computing, there are innumerable ways to extend the information infrastructure to remote employees, customers, and even the public.