Why Thin Clients?
Lower operations costs, reduced investments and an extended lifetime for existing hardware are the three major reasons for using thin client solutions. In a thin client framework, PC complexities are handled by IT professionals rather than by the end user.
Thin client solutions offer organizations the benefits of centralized IT administration and reduced IT investments for each employee. Combined with professionalized IT operations, this solution may reduce IT costs by almost 50 per cent.
The fundamental approach behind thin-client computing is simple. Instead of running all applications locally on PCs with all of the associated challenges and costs, applications run centrally and simply deliver screen updates and inputs to clients. If the concept sounds familiar, that's because it is effectively mainframe computing and dumb terminals on steroids! All the benefits of centralised servers and support staff are realised as are most of the benefits of powerful PCs on desks, including popular Windows applications.
The financial case is clear: thin-client computing can save 30%-70% of your IT costs. Centralising servers and server support staff leads directly to higher utilisation levels. Simplified software deployment radically reduces rollout costs. Longer lifetimes of windows-based terminals reduces capital expenditure. Reduced power consumption directly lowers energy costs, and indirectly lowers cooling requirements.
Thin-client computing is a sound strategic move - mergers and demergers are a fact of life in the current climate, as are decisions to out-source, out-task, in-source, change suppliers. Thin-client computing vastly simplifies this process. Adding a new site involves adding WAN & LAN connectivity and deploying devices, without a prolonged need for on-site support staff.
No remote servers, no desktop configuration, no need to redesign and integrate e-mail architectures. In many cases, the end-user can connect the device and be working within minutes, without doing any configuration themselves. Out-sourcing desktop management? Just give remote access into your servers and it's done.