1 of 5Competitive Analysis

Executive SummaryDesktop virtualization using thin clients can be challenging, and finding the right thin client is difficult - one that is cost effective, easy to use and to manage, future-proofed and energy ef-ficient. Here at NComputing we address this issue with real-world testing and results that we use to create a side-by-side comparison of NComputing thin clients with thin clients from vendors such as IGEL.

The N-Series N500 was evaluated for user experience and performance against the IGEL UD2-LX Multime-dia thin client. The thin clients were evaluated for ease of use, user experi-ence, security, device performance, device management, and return on investment for three different types of workloads:

• Real-world, everyday desktop tasks using Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

• Start-up, restart and shut-down tasks

• Streaming Flash video and MP4 playback of video clips stored locally and on network drive

Tests were designed to conduct a fair, repeatable comparison between virtual desktop solutions, using XenDesktop and XenApp environments.

Overall, the N-series out-performed the competition during multi-tasking, offered more intuitive and simpler management, and was designed with the end user and their typical work environment in mind. The N-series also had lower CPU utilization in all of

the tests performed, especially during multi-tasking. The N-Series has a more compact and more user friendly design with easier access to USB ports and unlike the IGEL unit, it ships with a VESA mounting kit at no additional cost, so customers can attach the device to the back of a monitor saving space and contributing to a clutter free work area or for specific applications and use-cas-es like digital signage, kiosks or point of sale terminals.

Key Findings • Lowest CPU Usage. The NComputing

N500 showed much stronger performance during multitasking (running multiple applications at once while working between all of them) than the IGEL UD2-LX thin client device. The N-series also had lower CPU utilization in all of the tests performed. Based on the averages taken for all tests completed, the N500 had a standard CPU usage of 16.3% and a maximum CPU usage of 33.3%. The UD2-LX, on the other hand, had a standard CPU usage of 20.3% and a maximum CPU usage of 42.0%. Thus, the N500 performed the same tasks but used twenty five percent less of the computing power, which means your end-users can use the N500 for more tasks more reliably. The N500 also comes out of sleep mode in roughly ten seconds, which was about half the time as the UD2-LX took to return from sleep mode.

• Simpler to manage. NComputing’s device management software, vSpace Management Center is a web-based application, whereas the IGEL management relies on “thick software” (software that must be installed onto a Windows server and then accessed via remote connection to that server). NComputing’s vSpace Management Center empowered IT to control, configure, and update their N500 units with ease from anywhere with a web connection. Performing the same tasks on the IGEL units proved more challenging with the requirement of a VPN to gain access to the appropriate server. Performance over the WAN was less than desirable due to its usage of RDP instead of HTTP. NComputing’s vSpace Management Center also presents a clear dashboard immediately upon login which can alert IT to problems that need attention right away. Navigation in vSpace Management Center is simple and easy to manage. The IGEL management tool often requires sifting through many windows, menus, and screens, before finding the key data and status that IT is interested in and trying to navigate to.

• More user-friendly design. The N500 offers four USB ports, two in the back and two in the front- making them easily accessible for users to attach USB devices such as USB keys or headphones. The UD2-LX also has four USB ports, but all are located on the back, making it an inconvenience for end-users to attach their USB peripherals.

N-Series SoC Based Thin ClientsUser experience and performance versus IGEL UD2-LX Thin Clients

2 of 5Competitive Analysis

When selecting a thin client for a virtual desktop environment, IT administrators should consider criteria that provide a comprehensive view of the cost of ownership of the virtual computing deployments.

These criteria should include:

• Ease of use

• User experience

• Security

• Device Performance

• Device management

• Return on investment

Here at NComputing, we took a similar approach and evaluated NComputing’s HDX Ready SoC based N500 versus the IGEL HDX Ready UD2-LX Multimedia.

We conducted multiple tests from an enterprise user view, using applications such as:

• Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)

• Adobe Acrobat Reader 11

• Windows Media Player 12 with K-Lite Codec pack

Additionally, each platform was verified for expansion options and support for dual display, USB web cams, legacy connectivity options and video quality over webcast.

All virtual machines connected to these thin clients were running Window 7 Professional SP1 in 1080P capable, multi-monitor configurations with playback scenarios of high-definition video in MP4 and WMV formats.

Background

FEATURES & CRITERIA N500 IGEL UD2-LX MULTIMEDIA

EASE OF USE

Installation kit included Yes Yes

Auto discovery Yes Yes

Vesa mount included Yes No (purchase seperately $30)

USER EXPERIENCE

System boot time 60 ~ 70 sec. 60 ~ 70 sec.

Session connect 5 ~ 10 sec. 15 ~ 20 sec.

DEVICE CONFIGURATION AND COMPATIBILITY

Processor Numo 3, Next Gen. ARM Cortex A9, 600MHz (Dual Core)

TI TMS320DM8148, Older Gen Cortex A8, 1Ghz (Single core)

Memory 1 GB 1 GB

Network 10/100/1000Base-T 10/100/1000Base-T

Power consumption >5W (working) >2W (idle)

~7W (working) ~1W (idle)

Network Wi-Fi Yes (model N500w) No

USB headset and printers. Yes Yes

Display support Dual display (Both DVI) (Adapter sold separately)

Dual display (DVI & VGA) (Adapter soldseparately)

DEVICE SOFTWARE

Management software vSpace Management Center IGEL Universal Management Suite

Device administration Yes Yes

Device firmware OS Linux (Debian) Linux

Multimedia software Not needed Not needed

Web-hosted Yes No

Device profile management Yes Yes

Device health monitoring Yes Yes

Asset management Yes Yes

Device Groups Yes Yes

Server Groups Yes No

Server Cluster Yes No

SECURITY

Secure tunnel (HTTPs) Yes Yes

Hardware encryption Yes Yes

Hardware security (Kingston security) Yes Yes

SUPPORT

Premium Support Included (1 year) Included (1 year)

Future Upgrades With premium support Yes

Hardware Support 3 Year Warranty 5 Year Extended Warranty

3 of 5Competitive Analysis

Software Performance

PowerPoint®

This test simulates a user presenting high resolution imagery embedded in slides using the PowerPoint 2010 automated slide show option. This test starts by opening a PowerPoint slide show that contains photos, diagrams, animations and backgrounds with varying color gradients. The slide show displays each slide for 3 seconds.

Test Results:

The N500 had an average CPU utilization of 18% and a maximum CPU utilization of 35%. The IGEL UD2-LX had an average CPU utilization of 23% and a maximum CPU utilization of 46%.

Windows Media Player® 11

This test was run with dual-monitor configurations for both the N500 and UD2-LX solutions. Video playback was done in various formats (WMV and MP4) over the Citrix HDX protocol. The utilized video file was a clip from an animated movie that was recorded in 720P HD at 30 fps with duration of 2 minutes and 37 seconds.

Test Results:

On average, the N500 and UD2-LX both had resource utilization at around 18% with a maximum of 25% while only the video file was playing. Since it is rare for an end user to only be watching a video, we also tested video playback with Microsoft Excel and Skype running in the background. During this test, the N500 performed significantly better and used an average CPU of 21% and a max of 39%. The UD2-LX, during the same multi-tasking video playback test, used an average CPU of 31% and a maximum of 53%. Thus, the N500 performed the same tasks but used twenty percent less of the CPU power to do so.

Excel®

This test was performed in a dual-monitor environment and simulates a user working with Excel 2010 and performing various actions, such as opening an Excel sheet, resizing the Excel window to full screen, selecting all cells, scrolling up and down using the arrow keys and mouse wheel and closing the Excel sheet.

Test Results:

The N500 had an average CPU utilization of 13% and a maximum CPU utilization of 25%. The IGEL UD2-LX had an average CPU utilization of 18% and a maximum CPU utilization of 35%.

Microsoft Office Productivity Testing: Microsoft Office productivity testing was conducted to determine the relative performance of each thin client device. Workloads were designed to stress screen redraw with complex images, gradients and textures. To demonstrate the performance differences between solutions evaluated, we used scrolling through slide shows and spreadsheets as the typical office worker use cases.

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Microsoft Excel® CPU Utilization

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Microsoft, Excel, PowerPoint and Windows Media Player are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies.

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4 of 5Competitive Analysis

Performance vs PriceThe NComputing N500 base price ($229) is roughly 30 to 35% less than the IGEL UD2-LX ($355) thin client, but as the N500 comes with an included VESA mount kit, the IGEL total base cost could rise to around $385 after the purchase of the additional VESA mount kit ($30).

Future Proof N-Series thin clients are equipped with an integrated firmware package, which means the Linux Citrix Receiver software is already packaged within the N-Series device firmware. As the N500 is designed specifically for HDX, NComputing can integrate any Citrix Receiver updates quickly and easily. The UD2-LX, on the other hand, was not designed specifically for HDX and thus supports multiple protocols. This means that Citrix Receiver software updates will compete with updates for other protocols and may leave end-users running out-of-date Citrix Receiver software and degrading their end user experience while potential incompatibilities are evaluated between the multiple protocols and the vendors who supply them.

Energy Savings The N500 only consumes 5W of power which results in significant power savings for the organization. By using the data below we were able to calculate that an N500 deployment of 2,500 devices would save an organization $58,875 per year on power savings alone.

Adobe Reader®

This test simulates a user working with Adobe Reader 11 and taking actions such as opening a PDF file (with rich content), scrolling up and down using the arrow keys and mouse wheel (and observing any choppiness), and overall file performance.

Test Results:

The N500 had an average CPU utilization of 18% and a maximum CPU utilization of 40%. The IGEL UD2-LX had an average CPU utilization of 20% and a maximum CPU utilization of 45%.

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Adobe Reader® CPU Utilization

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Software Performance (continued)

Adobe Reader is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.

Return on Investment

N500 IGEL UD2-LX MULTIMEDIA

ENERGY

Power consumption ~ 5W ~ 7W

Electricity cost (per unit) $0.13 $0.13

Hours utilized 8 8

Idle hours 16 16

One day expense $0.18 $0.28

3 Year usage $19.70 $30.60

5 of 5Competitive Analysis© Copyright 2016 NComputing Co., Ltd. NComputing® and vSpace® are internationally registered trademarks by NComputing (ZeroDesktop, Inc).  Copyright © 2003 – 2016. The

product could diff er from the images shown. The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Specifi c features may vary from model to model. The only support and warranties for NComputing products and services are set forth in the express support and warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. NComputing shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions.

1900 S. Norfolk Street, Suite 245 | San Mateo, CA 94403 | � 1.650.409.5959 | � info@ncomputing.com | � www.ncomputing.com

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Testing Setup and Methodology

Comparison Criteria Side-by-side testing was conducted on an NComputing N500 and IGEL UD2-LX thin client. Both thin clients connect to the same XenDesktop and XenApp environment with identical user rights and privileges.

Environment Components• Gigabyte Ethernet switch

• Domain where Active Directory was used to authenticate users.

• Server infrastructure running XenServer 6.0.2 on a Supermicro Blade Server, equipped with:

– Intel Dual Core Xeon E31220 @ 3.10 GHz – 32 GB RAM1 GB Network Interface Card (Broadcom NetXtream II 4 Port)

• Virtual Servers running the Citrix components: – XenDesktop 5.6 – XenApp 6.5

• Virtual Desktops (running in XenDesktop 5.6): – Windows 7 Professional SP1 – 1080P capable configurations

• Display – Two 22” HD 1920x1200 displays connected to each thin client

Five Reasons to Choose the NComputing N500 over the IGEL UD2-LX1. Easiest to use and most ideal for end user’s work environment: End user centric design

and front USB, audio and microphone ports make this the ideal unit for a worker’s typical work environment. The included VESA mount at no additional charge can also help reduce work desk clutter by putting the unit on the back of an end user’s monitor.

2. The richest user experience with a SoC–based thin client for Citrix HDX on the market: Next generation dual core A9 System-on-chip (NComputing’s Numo3) provides plenty of computing power for all of an end user’s multitasking and multimedia needs and delivers the only true thin client HDX experience.

3. Elegant design makes it silent and cool: Core technology built directly onto the System-on-chip and with no moving parts, the N-series thin clients run quiet and cool and won’t interrupt your end user’s work environment.

4. Simpler, zero-touch management: Integration with the vSpace Management Center gives IT the control to remotely manage their N-series thin clients with zero touch from anywhere they’ve got web access.

5. The best value for your money- without sacrificing any power: The N-series offers a better physical design and next generation SoC technology that’s been optimized for HDX. At just five watts per unit, it’s more energy efficient and offers first class performance, and is also simple to deploy and manage. And all of this comes at the most affordable price point with the N-series starting as low as $159 US MSRP for the N400