I?m doing some marketing research for a company that makes remote
system management software.  Because they have a hosted solution, the
ideal systems for this solution are off the traditional corporate
network (administrators can easily remotely deploy it without
configuring firewalls or hitting dynamic IP issues).  The company is
very inconsistent when it describes these machines.  Sometimes it
refers to them as off domain, off LAN, branch offices, roaming,
notebooks in the field, etc?

My question is: What would be the standard industry term for
describing systems off the corporate network?  Is there an ideal
phrase for describing this category of PCs and servers in the
marketing literature?

Here are some phrases that come to mind... variations on terminals,
workstations, and clients.   "Terminal" is used less often today in
the PC era, with the phrase "Client" more commonly used today.

"Terminal" tends do describe a device that allows one to view and
input data to a server or mainframe elsewhere, but one that has
limited processing power (or none) on its own.

"Client" is a common phrase for describing any device that is not a
server, in a client/server relationship.  "Thin Client" is often used
to describe a very small software package that, combined with the
client device, allows one to access a hosted application.  Sometimes
these services are provided through a web browser interface, but, not
exclusively.  As with a terminal, a thin client leaves most of the
processing chores to the hosted application on the server.  (A "fat
client" does many processing chores, sending data to the server
primarily for storage).

"Workstation" is a common phrase today, implying a device with more
processing power than a terminal or "thin client".

Citrix is a leader in "thin client" deployment, and the phrases and
terms they use are standard in this marketing space.

standalone workstations
self-contained workstations
personal workstations
individual workstations
standalone thin client
thin client
standalone client
plug-and-play thin client
plug-and-play thin client

"off-grid standalone workstation"
"detached remote workstation"
"detached secure workstation"
"preconfigured secure workstation"
"secure standalone workstation"
"off-grid computing"
"secure, off-grid computing"

"Our off-grid, standalone workstations remain independent of your
corporate LAN, allowing secure access to the applications you desire,
while decreasing deployment headaches and total cost of ownership."

Of the phrases you provide, "branch" is the one I commonly see.
"Our standalone, thin client offers unsurpassed ease of use and
simplifies deployment to your branch offices (or branch locations). 
Even mobile users (or mobile workers) in the field will be able to
access the full array of applications without visiting the home
office."


Citrix:  Mobility
http://citrix.com/English/ps2/segments/h/horizontal.asp?contentID=20961

You may find these links to the wikipedia helpful:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thin_client

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_terminal

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Citrix_ICA


Search Strategy and Search Terms:
None.  This answer is based upon my experience in the industry.

I hope you have found this answer useful and easy to understand.  If
you have any questions about this answer, please do not hesitate to
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