From Teradici to HP Anyware: PCoIP vs Blast Extreme and Endpoint Value
September 16, 2025
Remote access has become the backbone of hybrid work, cloud adoption, and digital transformation. Over the past two decades, protocols like PCoIP and Blast Extreme have shaped how enterprises deliver secure, high-performance desktops to distributed workforces. Yet the story of PCoIP vs. Blast Extreme is not just about technology—it’s about strategy.
From Teradici’s pioneering work with PCoIP to HP’s acquisition and integration into HP Anyware and now Omnissa Horizon’s transition away from PCoIP in favor of Blast Extreme, the market has shown a clear truth: protocols will continue to change. For IT leaders, the bigger question is how to stay agile—building an endpoint strategy that protects investments today while ensuring flexibility tomorrow.
The Early Years: PCoIP's Origin Story
Teradici was founded in 2004 by Dan Cordingley, Dave Hobbs, Ken Unger, and Maher Fahmi to commercialize PCoIP. This protocol compresses, encrypts, and transmits pixels from data center workstations or VMs to client devices. The company launched its first hardware-based solutions in 2007, initially targeting blade-style workstations.
By 2008, VMware licensed PCoIP for VMware View, marking a turning point for enterprise adoption. In 2013, Amazon WorkSpaces launched using PCoIP, though AWS later shifted toward its WorkSpaces Streaming Protocol (WSP) as its long-term standard.
Teradici continued to innovate, introducing PCoIP Ultra in 2019. This technology enabled GPU/CPU offload and 4K support for graphics-intensive workflows. These milestones positioned PCoIP as one of the past twenty years’ most influential remote display technologies.
HP's Acquisition: Teradici Becomes HP Anyware
In July 2021, HP announced it would acquire Teradici, completing the deal in October of that year. The acquisition folded Teradici’s software into HP Anyware, which still develops and supports PCoIP and PCoIP Ultra today.
HP emphasizes that its approach streams only encrypted pixels off the host, reducing endpoint attack surfaces. Alongside software clients, HP continues to ship thin and zero clients that integrate with this ecosystem, maintaining an end-to-end hardware + software portfolio.
The Shift in Horizon: Blast Replaces PCoIP
While HP pushes forward, Omnissa (formerly VMware EUC) has charted a different course. Horizon Client and Agent will remove PCoIP after 2025, with Extended Service Branches offering bug and security fixes for existing deployments. See the Omnissa Horizon product lifecycle.
Omnissa positions Blast Extreme as its future-ready protocol, optimized for WAN conditions and multimedia via H.264/HEVC codecs. This consolidates development under one protocol, streamlining the Horizon roadmap.
For more on Horizon’s PCoIP deprecation and what will happen next, discover our related blog: Omnissa Ending PCoIP Support in Horizon: A Future-Proof Alternative with ThinClient Direct.
TCD Insight: Why Endpoints Still Matter
Even as protocol choices evolve, endpoint strategy remains critical. Organizations shifting between Horizon (Blast), HP Anyware (PCoIP), or Citrix (HDX) often find that hardware lifecycles, TAA compliance, or GPU requirements complicate procurement. In the context of the ongoing PCoIP vs. Blast Extreme debate, endpoints become the common denominator, ensuring enterprises can adapt no matter which protocol dominates.
This is where ThinClient Direct (TCD) adds value:
- OS-agnostic sourcing: We supply thin and zero clients that can be repurposed across protocol stacks (Citrix, HP Anyware, Blast, eLux, IGEL).
- Lifecycle protection: Enterprises avoid lock-in by standardizing on flexible devices that remain viable across backend shifts.
- Endpoint consulting: TCD helps IT teams evaluate firmware compatibility, TPM/security modules, and management tooling before committing to significant refreshes.
Explore how OS-agnostic endpoints strengthen this strategy in Beyond Vendor Lock-In: How OS-Agnostic Thin Clients Future-Proof Your IT Strategy.
In short, while protocols may shift, endpoint choice determines long-term agility.
Conclusion: What PCoIP vs Blast Extreme Means for IT Leaders
The PCoIP vs. Blast Extreme story reflects more than just a protocol debate—it highlights how the remote access market continues to evolve. Teradici’s PCoIP, now advanced through HP Anyware, remains a trusted option for industries that demand high-fidelity graphics and strong security. Meanwhile, Omnissa Horizon’s shift to Blast Extreme underscores the push toward cloud-optimized, consolidated protocols.
For IT executives, the lesson is clear: while protocols may rise and fall, the real safeguard lies in endpoint flexibility. Organizations avoid costly lock-in and stay prepared for the next wave of digital workspace innovation by investing in thin and zero clients that remain viable across changing platforms. In a landscape of constant change, it’s not just about choosing between PCoIP or Blast—it’s about ensuring your infrastructure can adapt when the next shift arrives.
Ready to Rethink Your Endpoint Strategy? Connect with ThinClient Direct to Explore Device Options that Keep You Agile Across Protocols.
