IGEL Technology recently announced that their Windows Embedded thin clients are now compatible with Cisco Virtualization Experience Media Engine (VXME), facilitating the use of voice and video technology in virtual IT environments. In conjunction with the unified communication service Cisco Jabber for Windows, IGEL now offers yet another method for holding high-quality audio and video conferences within a virtual desktop environment using thin clients. All IGEL Universal Desktop models with the Windows Embedded W7+ operating system are supported and the required Cisco VXME extension can be integrated easily by any administrator. IGEL’s Universal Management Suite (UMS) and Universal Customization Builder (UCB) tools handle the central packaging and roll-out of the software component.

Simply integrating the VXME extension into the local thin client operating system (Windows Embedded) provides access to the Cisco Jabber client in virtual environments (Citrix XenDesktop/XenApp (Published Desktops) or VMware Horizon). Cisco’s Jabber client supports the latest Windows desktop operating systems.

Once the administrator has completed the integration and deployment process, thin client users can communicate via HD video and audio using Cisco Jabber functionality or leverage third party accessories from Jabra, Logitech, and Plantronics such as handsets, headsets, speakers and webcams which are operated directly via the IGEL thin client for a seamless user experience. The VXME extension uses the processing power provided locally through the thin client taking some of the pressure off valuable server resources, which in turn has a positive effect on the overall user experience in VDI environments. IGEL Technology GmbH recommends using a powerful UD5 range thin client or the new quad-core UD6 model, both with the W7+ operating system and an 8GB flash memory, for such sophisticated multimedia communications using real-time audio and video conferences.

“The video output of the IGEL UD6 thin client is exceptional. A resolution of 1280 x 720p provides top cross-platform results in a virtual environment. We are excited to be working with IGEL with our VXME solution and look to further enhance the experience for all our mutual customers” says Sandeep Prasad – Product Manager at Cisco Systems.

“Adding Cisco VXME to our unified communications portfolio makes the future even more secure and optimizes costs for our customers through modern communications technology,” says Matthias Haas, Product Management Director at IGEL Technology. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our customers yet another option as their preferred technology and solutions partner.”

AvailabilityThe Cisco VXME client can be integrated using an executable file into any IGEL Universal Desktop firmware from version 3.01.100 (Windows Embedded) upwards. The installation file can be downloaded for free by all registered Cisco customers from https://software.cisco.com/download/navigator.html. Please note in order to download you will need the appropriate licenses from Cisco.