Thin clients instead of PCs make sense

CORPORATE TECHNOLOGY

Thin client may be apt description for an emaciated customer, but in the technology world, it means a computer with no hard drive or other moving parts.

There are no floppy drives, CD-ROM drives and typically minimal data is stored on its programmable flash memory. Thin clients are plugged into a central server and all computing is done by the server.

And because thin clients have no hard drives, there is no loss of data if a local thin client gets damaged or has a local power failure.

This type of server-based computing model is especially useful in that it allows companies to overcome the challenges of management, access, performance and security of their information technology systems.

In addition, they do not require large amounts of RAM and high-speed CPUs and usually only have negligible local software like a light-weight / stripped down operating system (OS) and a web browser.

Says Tim Goldring, CEO of VXL Instrument, the third largest global player in the thin clients market: "In any enterprise, most of the usage scenarios of a computer are limited to a combination of processing capabilities of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, email, browser and database application relating to enterprise resource planning (ERP)/ customer relationship management / supply chain management. Sectors such as education, banking & finance, insurance, hotels, hospitals, ITES, manufacturing and telecommunication service companies are the verticals who can leverage on the simplicity of the system. Coupled with the total cost of ownership, which is on an average Rs 15,000 per thin client, an enterprise can save 30-50 per cent on the cost of a desktop."

Detailing the technical aspects on how a thin client can best be leveraged, Goldring said: "It requires multi-user operating system that allows multiple concurrent users to log-on and simultaneously run applications on a single server. The traditional Unix operating system / Linux allows this.

It also requires a remote presentation services protocol, such as Citrix's Independent Computing Architecture or Microsoft's Remote Desktop Protocol, which are capable of processing an application's user interface independently from its logic, allowing only keystrokes, mouse clicks and screen updates to travel the network, which will reduce the dependence on high bandwidth for wide area network deployments."

Commenting on the advantages of implementing a thin client network in an company, ING Vysya Bank's chief technology officer said: "We have installed 250 thin clients across our branches and it has been pretty good. The major factor for us to go for this is the simplicity of maintenance and deployment. However, we found that some of our customised banking solutions do not run optimally on a thin client environment. However, its pros outweigh cons and we are looking at increasing the deployment across our new branches in the country."

A caveat would be pertinent here: Thin clients are not usually suited for CPU or memory intensive applications such as 3-D animation, modelling, designing / publishing, CAD/CAM/CAE, compiling of large programs in software design.

Elaborating on the benefits of thin clients, Sowinder Singh, director, Parrus IT Solutions Pvt Ltd, who is the distributor & software partner in India for US-based Wyse, the global leader in the sector, said: "Thin clients help organisations better manage the life cycles of their enterprise applications and provide many strategic benefits including rapid application deployment besides maximising return on investment, and of course the most obvious factor of reducing cost."

Having decided to go in for a thin client based IT system, the choice of servers will be the next major decision for an organisation.

Says Goldring: "The servers will need to be sized properly. Most servers today are sufficiently powerful for thin client deployments. You may have just to add more memory, although sometimes one may have to opt for dual or quad CPU-capable servers to cater to specific deployments. For example, a typical branded server such as an H-P, IBM or Compaq having P-III, 1.2 GHz CPU, 2x18.2 GB, 768 MB RAM can serve up to 35-40 thin clients."

Sowinder Singh said: "The case for thin client alternatives to PCs is becoming stronger, and there is evidence for greater demand driven by customers with less push required by vendors. The products and the infrastructure are now mature, and a commoditisation is taking place in the industry, with, for example, more microchip manufacturers entering the market."

These market developments are driving the cost of thin clients downwards, and the fastest growth area is in the Linux client-side, which further lowers the cost. Organisations have much to gain in security, reduced support costs, and improved manageability by choosing the desktop product that is required to do the job.

The implementation of a PC-replacement strategy, in those functional areas where a thin client fits the requirement, can generate immediate savings.

Why you should go for it

Why use a thin client instead of a regular PC?
The main reason thin clients are better than PCs is because they offer lower cost of ownership. By reducing maintenance and install time, thin clients keep downtime to an absolute minimum.

An example would be if you owned a server and 5 PCs and needed to update your HMI or word-processing software you would need to reinstall and configure all 5 PCs one at a time. With thin clients you would simply make the update once on the server and all 5 thin clients would realise the update immediately.

Where should I use a thin client?
Thin clients can be used anywhere you would normally have an NT workstation. There are also "industrial thin clients" designed specifically to endure the harsh conditions experienced in a factory setting.

By taking advantage of the built in serial ports or adding some, you can monitor I/O points on the factory floor. Some thin clients can be mounted almost anywhere, some even have touchscreen capabilities.

Who should use a thin client?
Anyone seeking a lower total cost of ownership over expensive industrial or desktop PCs.Anyone seeking to cut downtime and maintenance to a minimum. Anyone that needs enhanced security and reliability.

When should I use a thin client?
Use thin clients when you need to have one or several NT workstations that substantially lower total cost of ownership, while remaining easy to install and support. Use thin clients when you have harsh factory conditions or when you don't have the time or money to hire an IT staff to keep your industrial or office systems up and running. Call for more info today.

Can I have a mixed environment of thin clients and workstations? Yes. The protocols that thin clients use to communicate with the server are standard Ethernet, and so don't interfere at all with regular network traffic.

In fact, there are many applications where replacing PCs with thin clients can actually decrease overall network traffic. Many of our customers install a thin client system gradually, first putting a Windows 2000 or NT 40 TSE server on their network, and then replacing PCs one or two at a time with thin clients.

Courtesy: www.acpthinclient.com