HP Debuts its Next-Gen HP ZCentral

At Autodesk University, HP Inc. announced HP ZCentral, a solution powering the next-gen of computing with a single-sourced remote workstation solution. ZCentral centralizes high-end computer power in a single location, freeing up power-users who work on graphics-intensive applications, and enabling remote, mobile and fluid workstyles. ZCentral combines Z by HP racked high-performance workstations, a new generation ZCentral Remote Boost software—formerly known as Remote Graphics Software (RGS)—and new proprietary ZCentral Connect software to accelerate high compute workflows to the next level, the company reports.

“As the office of the future continues to evolve, HP is equipping today’s mobile workforce with the world’s only single-source remote workstation solution, accelerating high-performance, complex workflows from any location,” says Jim Nottingham, general manager and global head of workstations, HP Inc. “HP ZCentral is reinventing the way businesses meet the demands of today’s global workforce with flexibility by accelerating IT deployment and management, reducing costs, and providing world-class data security.”

ZCentral equips IT departments with predictable and dedicated remote performance, independent of the end point device, and a simple way to manage those connections with data security. ZCentral can reduce the challenges and costs associated with managing various platforms and devices while offering secure remote access to users. With ZCentral, IT managers can manage, monitor, and assign dedicated remote workstation performance on a secure private network with one console.

HP will deliver the full end-to-end ZCentral solutions to partners across various industries, including AEC, Data Science, Media and Entertainment, and Oil and Gas, among others. The updated ZCentral Remote Boost and new ZCentral Connect software will be available in early 2020, with beta versions available for current customers.

Fluid IT Transforms Workflows 

HP is innovating in two key areas to deliver enterprise-ready remote computing solutions: predictable and dedicated remote workstation performance independent of the OS (MacOS, Windows, Linux) and the shift to flexible IT.

ZCentral delivers dedicated performance via a secure and stable remote workstation connection, with the new ZCentral Remote Boost software delivering high-performance on VFX, simulation and 3D. ZCentral Remote Boost works with Windows, Linux or MacOS devices, providing flexibility for the end-user to create or design on almost any end-point device, anywhere, the company reports.

The ZCentral Connect software enables company IT departments to easily assign workstations, monitor connections and logins all through one simple interface. ZCentral Connect also makes it simple and easy for power users to connect to dedicated, centralized compute or access the next available workstation within an assigned pool of centralized workstations.

By keeping the workstation secure and centralized next to the data storage, with the ZCentral Connect and ZCentral Remote Boost connection, only encrypted pixels are sent over the network, so company data remains highly secure at the source.

ZCentral Availability

Z by HP Desktop workstations with rack mounting are available today.

HP ZCentral Remote Boost software will be available in early 2020, pricing to be announced at a later date and the beta for current customers is available now. HP ZCentral Connect software will be available in early 2020, pricing to be announced at a later date and the beta for current customers is available now. 

Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.

More Hewlett Packard Coverage