Ulis, 14th September 2006 – Impact Technologies, manufacturer of Itium thin client solutions and asynchronous Fitwin communication boards, announces that it will release WiFi connectivity as standard on its Itium thin client ranges 2930 and 4030. Impact Technologies is the first market manufacturer to integrate WiFi directly into the thin client mother board, eliminating the management complexity of using external WiFi peripherals. From now on the Itium terminals can be delivered with an integrated PCI WiFi board compatible with Windows CE and conforming to the 802.11 b/g standard. This non removable PCI solution offers a non negotiable advantage in terms of security as opposed to a solution based on a USB key. The WiFi connectivity adds to the various existing modes of connectivity (Ethernet 10/100, serial and parallel ports, USB keys), making the Itium thin client terminals the most open on the market.

MIMO compatibility

Thanks to MIMO (Multiple In, Multiple Out) connectivity, the Itium thin clients considerably simplify the deployment of wireless network terminals in bury industrial environments or for applications necessitating simultaneous connections The Wifi board integrated into Itium thin client boards is compatible with the majority of implementations not yet standardised with MIMO (future standard 802.11 n).

Ease of use

The entire configuration of functions and parameters from thin clients could be made remotely over the WiFi connection, with an ItiumAdmin administration interface. The terminals can be configured off-line thanks to the their stock of parameters in the administration database.

« Integrated in Itium, the Wifi connection really improves the connectivity of thin clients in the workplace, without making their management clumsy and all in preserving the flexibility of remote configuration », confirmed Jean-Nicolas Durand, Technical Director of Impact Technologies. « And in being the first manufacturer to integrate WiFi as standard, Impact Technologies again shows for the first time without fear to privilege and bring to users, improved ease of use and administration. »

As regards IMPACT Technologies: Created in 1987, Impact Technologies is the manufacturer for ranges of new generation Itium thin clients and for the Fitwin asynchronous communication adaptors, which are among the most popular sold on the market today. In the thin client domain, Impact Technologies conceived and integrated the embedded operating systems Windows CE, Linux Embedded, Windows XP Embedded. As entirely upgradeable systems, the Itium thin clients can be managed, configured and updated remotely, via the administrative interface delivered with the terminals. Impact Technologies is the only supplier in the market to include its package of administrative aids, hot lines and follow-up for software updates in the initial acquisition costs. To date, more than 65000 terminals have been installed worldwide. Impact Technologies is also the European number one and among the leading world players in the asynchronous communication adaptor market. The Fitwin adaptors are installed in more than 1 million items, and in almost one third of the automated cash dispensers in the world. They are also used in the retail and distribution industries, in railway systems, and in numerous other industries. Based at Ulis, near Paris, and with about 20 employees, Impact Technologies recorded a turnover of 5.7 million euros in 2005.