Overview - Thin Browse™ v2.0
Introduction
This document is intended for use as a general overview of Thin Browse™. Thin Browse is available for download and can be easily installed and configured in a matter of minutes for evaluation purposes. Please contact ThinLaunch Software for download information.
- Thin Browse is installed as a standard .msi file
- Thin Browse is configured using Thin Browse Builder™
- Thin Browse replaces the Internet Explorer (IE) user Shell, and continues to use IE as the browser engine
- Thin Browse securely and completely controls the user's browser experience
Overview of Thin Browse™
Thin Browse is an easy to use application designed to define, control and enforce browser usage and policy. Thin Browse is configured and managed via the Thin Browse Builder (Builder) user interface. Builder is an intuitive interface that creates the configuration xml file "consumed" by Thin Browse. Thin Browse sits as a "shell" or user interface on top of Internet Explorer. The underlying Internet Explore functionality is utilized by Thin Browse. In addition to controlling browser functionality, Thin Browse also allows for configuration and control of local applications (those installed on the PC) to run within the browser window.
Thin Browse™ Use Case Examples
Four primary use case examples have emerged during the Thin Browse early adopter programs:
Case 1: Control access to external websites. Thin Browse is quickly configured to control which internet destinations are allowed for individual users or groups of users. A recurring example has been controlling a user's browsing to only specific websites/portals. Single or multiple internet site locations can be configured in minutes for a user or group of users.
Case 2: Control access to either internal or external IP addresses or host names. Thin Browse is quickly configured to limit access to specific IP addresses or host names for individual users or groups of users.
Case 3: Control access to web based applications. Thin Browse is quickly configured to enforce connection to only a web based application.
Case 4: Combinations of multiple individual use cases into one, standard, browser based user experience.
Installing Thin Browse
Thin Browse is packaged as a standard Windows .msi file. Thin Browse installation options include two components. The first component is Thin Browse Builder and the second is the Thin Browse browsing application. Thin Browse normally runs as a standalone application and does not require the installation of Thin Browse Builder on an individual client device.
Thin Browse Builder is general installed only on Administrator workstations and is used to create the xml configuration file consumed by Thin Browse.
The Thin Browse browser application can be installed locally or with any standard msi capable software distribution tools. Thin Browse is also compatible with web servers.
Pre requisites include .net 2.0 and Internet explorer - version 7, 8 or 9 on the client device.
Thin Browse has been tested with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7. Thin Browse has also been tested with Windows XPe and Windows standard for use on hardware thin client devices.
Thin Browse™ Builder
Builder is an intuitive, easy to use GUI tool that creates the xml file used by Thin Browse. It allows for quick and easy configuration of the user browser experience and controls nearly every browser function imaginable. Multiple builder files can be created, saved and distributed based on user requirements and segmentation.
Thin Browse™
The Thin Browse browser experience is both familiar and intuitive for the user. The look and feel is familiar to any user accustomed to browsing.
Licensing requirements
Thin Browse™ is licensed on a per client basis. Standard licensing activation requires internet access to activation.thinlaunch.com.
Thin Desktop Compatibility
Thin Browse is completely compatible with Thin Desktop. Approximately 50% of Thin Browse customers also use Thin Desktop to launch and monitor Thin Browse on end user client devices.
