At pulp and paper mills critical computing platforms play a key role in controlling and monitoring production. This equipment can come in many forms, including thin clients, panel PCs, remote touch displays, and fixed and mobile operator workstations.
Because these devices are typically installed near paper machines and wet-end processes where constant moisture and spray are present, they must be constructed from stainless steel with sealed, durable housings to resist moisture and chemical exposure.
However, durability alone no longer meets the needs of these production environments. Conventional workstation configurations continue to depend on permanent wiring and complex installation requirements. When layouts change or equipment is moved, cables must be rerouted, limiting flexibility on the plant floor.
To overcome these constraints, engineers are adopting centralized session management platforms that separate computing from the workstation itself. In pulp and paper production, ThinManager® allows facilities to consolidate computing power in one secure location while streaming operator interfaces to lightweight, remote terminals called thin clients.
Rather than running Windows and industrial applications locally, each terminal connects to the ThinManager server, which dictates exactly what appears on its screen, who can access it, and how it behaves. The result is a simplified, secure, and easily managed environment.
“ThinManager-Ready” means the hardware has been built to integrate directly into the ThinManager ecosystem without additional setup. From the moment the device powers on, the thin client identifies itself to the server, downloads its configuration, and connects to the assigned operator session.
But even with this streamlined architecture, thin clients have relied on one critical tether: the Ethernet cable.
In pulp and paper production, hard-wired Ethernet connections add complexity while limiting mobility. Each cable must be sealed, inspected, and revalidated, making even small layout changes time-consuming and costly.
“By allowing thin clients to connect to ThinManager entirely over wireless, the technology eliminates the need for physical network cabling. When powered on, the terminal’s wireless module connects securely to the facility’s Wi-Fi network before any operating system loads,” says Paul Shu of ARISTA Corporation, a leading manufacturer of industrial computing solutions including thin clients, panel PCs, KVM extenders, and fully sealed stainless-steel systems designed for cleanroom and process-control environments.
According to Shu, ARISTA’s lineup of ThinManager-Ready thin clients range in size from 15-inch up to 24-inch.
For more information, contact ARISTA Corporation at (510) 226-1800; on the web: https://www.aristaipc.com/; e-mail sales@goarista.com; or write to 48460 Lakeview Boulevard, Fremont, CA 94538.