A popular way of connecting remote workers to a centralised location is via a Microsoft application known as Terminal Services which is supplied as an integral part of the Windows Server operating system.

This "Thin Client" technology is based around the principle that all of the data processing is done at the fileserver rather than at the desktop, the application resource is subsequently dynamically shared between the users. Only screen updates and mouse/key strokes are sent between the server and the user, and because only tiny data packets travel between the two points, speed and performance are upheld.

Remote users log-in commonly using an ADSL link and Virtual Private Network technology to create a secure tunnel between the remote site and the server, once access has been gained all work is effectively done on the server using a terminal session.

Terminal Server solutions can be used to great effect either where desktop PC's are aging and in need of upgrading or where desk space requires a small footprint, in which case thin client terminals are deployed. Low spec and aging PC's can be easily converted to utilise this technology as only minimal processing is done at the workstation. Alternatively, the thin client terminals offer much simpler support and management options as in general they have no moving parts and merely a simple on/off button. Software deployment and upgrades are done at a single centralised point on the Terminal Server and are then simultaneously rolled out to the user base by allowing them access to the new application on the Terminal Server.

Terminal Server users can be given security profiles to determine the amount of application access allowed by particular user groups, in general terms senior staff would have access to all applications, and thereafter restrictions would apply depending on the user group or job title.

It is important when deploying this solution to ensure that the Terminal Server is adequately specified, the sizing of the server not only depends upon the amount of Terminal Server users
but also on the amount of user growth expected in the short to medium term. Multiple processors and significant amounts of RAM are recommended to retain the speed and performance of the Terminal Server.