Microsoft Windows Remote Desktop Services

Remote Desktop Services (formerly known as Terminal Services) provides functionality similar to a terminal-based, centralized host, or mainframe, environment in which multiple terminals connect to a host computer. Each terminal provides a conduit for input and output between a user and the host computer. A user can log on at a terminal, and then run applications on the host computer, accessing files, databases, network resources, and so on. Each terminal session is independent, with the host operating system managing conflicts between multiple users contending for shared resources.The primary difference between Remote Desktop Services and the traditional mainframe environment is that the dumb terminals in a mainframe environment only provide character-based input and output. A Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) client or emulator provides a complete graphical user interface including a Windows operating system desktop and support for a variety of input devices, such as a keyboard and mouse.In the Remote Desktop Services environment, an application runs entirely on the Remote Desktop Session Host (RD Session Host) server (formerly known as a terminal server). The RDC client performs no local processing of application software. The server transmits the graphical user interface to the client. The client transmits the user's input back to the server.MICROSOFT OPEN VALUEMicrosoft Open Value is a premium volume licensing offer available under the Open License family. Designed for organizations with as few as five computers, Open Value offers simpler license tracking, greater control over the software upgrade cycle, and better software cost management.Microsoft Open Value offers many benefits:Track licenses more easily. Open Value provides a single agreement to track all licenses on all your desktops, run the same software version on all your PCs, upgrade to the next version at any time, or run a mix of software versions without having to track what is deployed on each desktop.Gain control of your upgrade cycle. Open Value grants you the rights to run any version of the licensed software and to upgrade at any time, when it is most convenient for you.Budget more effectively and save money. Open Value offers predictable annual payments, so you can make better informed decisions about what IT projects need to happen each year. In addition, volume pricing helps stretch software budgets further than retail purchase options.Spread payments. Open Value lets you spread your software costs over three annual payments so you can more effectively manage your software budget and get the software you need now.SOFTWARE ASSURANCEMicrosoft's Software Assurance gives you automatic access to new technology and provides productivity benefits, support, tools, and training to help deploy and use software efficiently.With Software Assurance, you receive access to new versions of licensed software released during the term of your agreement to deploy at your own pace. New Version Rights simplifies the procurement process and shortens the business process cycle, allowing you to reduce the costs associated with acquiring new version releases and immediately take advantage of the latest technology.