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Company history
and facts
openthinclient - Stable in use. Today and in the future.
openthinclient is a complete ThinClient solution - consisting of a ThinClient operating system, central management server and suitable hardware. Via PXE boot (network boot) and a web-based management console, x86-compatible devices can be quickly and easily made available as VDI endpoints and centrally managed.
openthinclient is completely open source and can be tested free of charge with a limited number of clients and can also be used productively. The management server runs under Windows or Linux. 🔧 View source code on GitHub
openthinclient GmbH supports B2B customers in healthcare, industry and public administration - with:
✅maintenance contracts and guaranteed response times,
✅Support with installation and operation,
✅as well as individual adaptations and extensions.
We also offer high-performance thin client hardware for various areas of application - all from a single source.
1999
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Entry into the thin client business
Levigo (then still cogito informationssysteme gmbh) focuses intensively on server-based computing and becomes active in the market for Linux-based thin clients. Levigo sells IBM devices and sets them up for customers.
2002
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Start of development of own ThinClient software
IBM is unexpectedly withdrawing from the thin client market. Instead of the promised investment protection, customers are left with a gap. Levigo exploits this gap in the market and develops its own platform-independent ThinClient Manager. With Linux, Levigo opts for a non-proprietary operating system for the thin clients.
2004
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Manager with web start interface
A completely revised ThinClient Manager interface is launched on the market.
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2008
Business model support
As a commercial version, Levigo Systems offers a tested version of the ThinClient Software Suite including support. ThinClient hardware models optimized for use are available in various versions.
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Presentation of the solution to a broad public
Since SYSTEMS 2007, the openthinclient software suite has been available as open source at openthinclient.org. The software is published under the GNU General Public License GPL v2. Initially, the software was completely open source and was license-free and can be used without runtime restrictions. Over time, professional applications were added, which could be purchased in the form of a license. Since 2019, all functions have been activated and can be used free of charge up to an installation size of 49 ThinClients. From 50 ThinClients, a monthly license fee must be paid for use and support with a service level agreement.
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2007
We will become OpenSource
Levigo Systems provides the now powerful ThinClient software suite consisting of ThinClient OS, ThinClient Manager and ThinClient Server as open source at openthinclient.org.
2009
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Foundation of openthinclient gmbh
On April 1, openthinclient gmbh, in which the Levigo Group holds a stake, is founded. The new brand openthinclient® consists of powerful openthinclient hardware, the openthinclient OS based on Linux, the openthinclient server and openthinclient manager as well as openthinclient support. The company is based in the center of Stuttgart.
2010
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Stand at the IT trade fair CeBIT
openthinclient gmbh is an exhibitor at the CeBIT IT trade fair in Hanover. Many interested visitors from all over the world come to the stand, so openthinclient decides to expand its business to international markets.
2011
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Now hardware as well as software
In addition to the software, openthinclient gmbh offers powerful thin client hardware for various areas of application: small, silent and energy-saving as an office workstation, with various expansion interfaces. Since 2017, also available in an industrial-grade housing for production environments and as an all-in-one device with touch function integrated into the screen.
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2012
Exhibitor at the Linux Days
openthinclient gmbh relocates its headquarters to Heilbronner Strasse in Stuttgart. Furthermore, an office is opened in Dresden. openthinclient gmbh is an exhibitor at the Linux-Tag in Chemnitz. Numerous contacts, especially with software developers, give openthinclient new impulses for current and future requirements. You get to know many interested parties from the new federal states.
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openthinclient software consists of 3 components
The openthinclient software consists of 3 components: The openthinclient OS, a Linux operating system for thin clients that was initially based on Ubuntu and has been based on Debian since the end of 2013. The OS supports a boot process via the network (PXE) as well as a local installation on flash or USB stick. Another component is the openthinclient server, a platform-independent boot and administration server that provides all services and functions. The third component is the openthinclient manager, a graphical user interface for the central administration of thin clients, applications, settings and groupings. In previous years, the openthinclient manager was launched as a web start application. Since 2019, management has been possible via a browser (Html5).
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2011
We win the IT Innovation Award
Managing Director Alexander Stecher speaks on the stage of the OpenSource Park at CeBIT in Hanover.openthinclient receives the IT Innovation Award in the OpenSource category from the Initiative Mittelstand. https://www.imittelstand.de/innovationspreis/2011/kategoriesieger/open-source.html
2013
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Update to Debian
openthinclient gmbh develops and releases a completely new ThinClient operating system based on the current Debian Wheezy.
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Service
openthinclient supports customers with installation and configuration. Furthermore, services are offered in the form of customer-specific adaptations and extensions.
2018/2019
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Medical IT trade fair
openthinclient would like to present new developments to an expert audience. At conhIT and DMEA, we will be showcasing the hospital workstation with digital dictation device and signature pads.
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2021
new version 2021
There are new essential functions and changes, e.g.
- Support from UEFI HTTP boot
- Online status in the Show manager
- Linux kernel 5.10
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2020
new version 2020
There are new essential functions and changes, e.g.
- Support for UEFI PXE boot
- only 64 bit architecture
- Teams and Zoom plugins or apps
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2019
New version 2019
The license model is being changed, which means from 50 ThinClients user authorization is required. In addition, the previous Webstart Manager is no longer required. In addition, all configurations are carried out via the Manager in the browser. From now on, all applications are also enabled. The ThinClient OS will be updated to Debian-9.
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OS-on-a-Stick
Due to the coronavirus crisis, we had to react and expanded our portfolio. However, the new OS-on-a-Stick can do even more in addition to being quick and easy to use in the home office. In addition to the server boot version with central management, we now have a solution that starts a thin client operating system at individual workstations. This allows you to take your office with you on a USB stick to your home office or on vacation to Honolulu...
2022
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"Linux on a leash" at the Chemnitz Linux Days
openthinclient gmbh is repeatedly exhibitor at the Linux-Tage in Chemnitz. This time we are also represented with a presentation which was well attended. The topic was How does a system actually start via network - without any data carriers? The boot process of the openthinclient OS is used to explain how this works. We shed light on the various PXE boot loaders, the loading process of the kernel and the ramdisk. The essence of a busybox had to be fathomed and a self-written init-script had to be understood.
2023
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Revised license model
In 2023, we revised our license model to make it clearer and more practical. In the free community version, the number of ThinClients that can be used free of charge has been adjusted to 24 devices. This limit is based on our many years of experience and is intended to provide both sufficient testing options for evaluations and a realistic deployment framework for smaller companies - completely free of charge. For larger installations and enterprise customers, our business license models with professional support, SLAs and various customizations are still available.
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2026
New version 2603 released
With the new version 2603, openthinclient receives a comprehensive update with functional enhancements and a modern technical basis. The solution is now based on Debian 13 „Trixie“ and brings improvements in management, remote desktop performance, security and user-friendliness. New functions such as multiple administrators, ThinClient groups, updated VDI components and additional applications simplify administration and make use in larger environments even more efficient.
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2025
Version 2025 & partner program in revision
2025, we have released a new version of openthinclient that brings numerous improvements and new functions. The aim of the update is to improve performance, increase user-friendliness and ensure compatibility with the latest hardware. The most important new features include:
- Update to a new Debian version
- Support for modern hardware generations
- New control functions for ThinClients
- Revised layout & new desktop type
- Current versions of FreeRDP and Citrix Workspace app
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2024
wiki" becomes "docs„
As part of a comprehensive overhaul, we have replaced our previous "Wiki" with new documentation. docs.openthinclient.com replaced. This is more structured, clearer and more user-friendly - for beginners as well as for experienced administrators and IT managers. We want to make it even easier to get started with our software and make day-to-day work with openthinclient even simpler.