From the administrative workstation to the injection moulding machine – From „old device“ to modern thin client solution
Starting situation and challenges
The first contact between openthinclient and Mr Fischer, the IT manager at OMEGA TECHNOLOGY GmbH & CO. KG, came about via LinkedIn. It soon became clear that there were two areas within IT that urgently required changes:
- The existing Igel UD2 devices in the administration were causing increasing frustration. Software maintenance became ever more expensive, and the rigid licensing policy was no longer worthwhile.
- Robust touch devices were sought for the production lines, particularly at the injection moulding machines. Requirements included, among others:
- 10 to 15 inch screen size, minimum 1024x768 resolution
- Capacitive touchscreen, also usable with gloves
Implementation with openthinclientÂ
Even after a short time, old, decommissioned computers that were originally meant to be disposed of could be successfully put back into operation. Entry into the production environment also succeeded:
• The PANEL.MINI.12 has been installed as a test device.
It impressed with simple integration, autologin function,
as well as the ability to run browser applications in kiosk mode.
• In January, together with ENGEL AUSTRIA GmbH
a pilot project in which the MINI.12 devices in a production environment
were tested.
Technical requirements
Administration: Continued operation of Igel UD2 clients with OpenThinClient instead of the cost-intensive Igel software. Production: Touch panels on machines that merely display a web application in full-screen.
Particularly valuable were:
USB redirection
• Autologin function
• Flexible scaling from test devices to a planned rollout of over 60 devices across multiple halls.
Conclusion and feedback
With openthinclient, OMEGA TECHNOLOGY successfully overcame two central IT challenges:
• Cost reduction in administration through the reuse of existing
UD2 clients without expensive licenses.
Sustainable production with robust, easy-to-manage touch panels
and are precisely tailored to the requirements.
Mr Fischer draws a clear conclusion:
„We have breathed new life into old computers and simultaneously created a stable foundation for production. The flexibility of openthinclient in particular gives us planning security for the coming years.“
The rollout has already been completed. The next step is the expansion to additional production areas, with the long-term aim of fully consolidating administration and manufacturing onto a uniform, cost-effective solution.
For over 40 years, OMEGA TECHNOLOGY has stood for turning innovative ideas into marketable products.
As a reliable partner, the company supports its customers from project planning right through to series production of technically demanding plastic parts. OMEGA TECHNOLOGY develops and produces precise components for a wide range of applications using the injection moulding process.
The products are used worldwide – primarily in the automotive industry, but also in the electrical and electronics sector,
in the domestic appliance and agricultural sectors, in the consumer goods and furniture industries, as well as in plant and mechanical engineering.
What sets OMEGA TECHNOLOGY apart:
- Expertise from the outset – from the initial project discussion to punctual delivery.
- Flexibility & Partnership – the company consistently focuses on the needs of its customers.
- Efficiency in focus – cost and optimisation potentials are identified early on and exploited in conjunction with customers.
- This is how long-lasting and market-oriented product solutions are created – precise, economical, and reliable.
