Several years ago, mainframe computers were at the center of IT infrastructure.Those massive
machines provided employees access to the computing power through terminals (screen and
keyboard connected to the mainframe). Those multi-user mainframes were (and still are) very
expensive and over the years, it became challenging to extend their usage as access to
computing throughout the enterprises became crucial.
This issue led to the rise of the minicomputer. The minicomputer could do most of the functions of the mainframe, at a lower cost. They were still expensive; however, businesses could buy a
number of minicomputers instead of - or in addition to - the mainframe infrastructure.
Minicomputers, like the mainframe, run multi-user operating systems and are accessed through
terminals. Mainframes and minicomputers needed trained operators and programmers. Most of
the applications written for these systems were specific to the business needs. The introduction of personal computers - particularly the IBM PC and Apple systems - saw the writing of business applications, which could be used by a wide range of users without programming skills.
While PCs were expensive and unreliable when compared to the machines available today, they
provided managers with dedicated access to computing resources. This led to the rapid adoption
of PCs in business.
Today, William Bulkeley in the Wall Street Journal (January 17, 2005), asks the following
question: “Is the personal computer a little too personal? Growing numbers of companies and
government agencies seem to think so. Traditional desktop PCs put so much power in
employees' hands that they can do all kinds of mischief, from wasting time on the Web to
accidentally downloading viruses.
Meanwhile, fleets of PCs are expensive to upgrade and maintain.
So organizations are taking PCs off people's desktops and replacing them with "thin client"
systems. Each worker gets a computer screen, keyboard and mouse. But a central computer
room stores all the data and does most of the processing—slashing support costs and making it
much easier to track and restrict how workers use their machines.
Thin clients have come and gone over the years. Now they're enjoying a revival as the cost of
maintaining networks rises and employers are flooded with demands for tighter security and
record-keeping. Bob O'Donnell, director of personal technology for IDC, a market-research firm in Framingham, Mass., predicts that by 2008 thin clients will account for nearly 10% of the market for desktop computers at large and medium-size companies, up from
about 5.4% this year.
"As much as we like to complain about Windows, it's extremely mature and very well
understood and supported," he says. Many corporate computer chiefs, he adds, examine
thin clients but drop the idea when they realize that "to make a change, in almost every
case, requires a significant transitional period and a questionable decrease in costs" over
the short term.”
SoftXpand provides both the hardware, and maintenance cost cutting of thin-client/terminals
system, and the comfort and efficiency of working in a full Windows environment without any
extra user training required.
machines provided employees access to the computing power through terminals (screen and
keyboard connected to the mainframe). Those multi-user mainframes were (and still are) very
expensive and over the years, it became challenging to extend their usage as access to
computing throughout the enterprises became crucial.
This issue led to the rise of the minicomputer. The minicomputer could do most of the functions of the mainframe, at a lower cost. They were still expensive; however, businesses could buy a
number of minicomputers instead of - or in addition to - the mainframe infrastructure.
Minicomputers, like the mainframe, run multi-user operating systems and are accessed through
terminals. Mainframes and minicomputers needed trained operators and programmers. Most of
the applications written for these systems were specific to the business needs. The introduction of personal computers - particularly the IBM PC and Apple systems - saw the writing of business applications, which could be used by a wide range of users without programming skills.
While PCs were expensive and unreliable when compared to the machines available today, they
provided managers with dedicated access to computing resources. This led to the rapid adoption
of PCs in business.
Today, William Bulkeley in the Wall Street Journal (January 17, 2005), asks the following
question: “Is the personal computer a little too personal? Growing numbers of companies and
government agencies seem to think so. Traditional desktop PCs put so much power in
employees' hands that they can do all kinds of mischief, from wasting time on the Web to
accidentally downloading viruses.
Meanwhile, fleets of PCs are expensive to upgrade and maintain.
So organizations are taking PCs off people's desktops and replacing them with "thin client"
systems. Each worker gets a computer screen, keyboard and mouse. But a central computer
room stores all the data and does most of the processing—slashing support costs and making it
much easier to track and restrict how workers use their machines.
Thin clients have come and gone over the years. Now they're enjoying a revival as the cost of
maintaining networks rises and employers are flooded with demands for tighter security and
record-keeping. Bob O'Donnell, director of personal technology for IDC, a market-research firm in Framingham, Mass., predicts that by 2008 thin clients will account for nearly 10% of the market for desktop computers at large and medium-size companies, up from
about 5.4% this year.
"As much as we like to complain about Windows, it's extremely mature and very well
understood and supported," he says. Many corporate computer chiefs, he adds, examine
thin clients but drop the idea when they realize that "to make a change, in almost every
case, requires a significant transitional period and a questionable decrease in costs" over
the short term.”
SoftXpand provides both the hardware, and maintenance cost cutting of thin-client/terminals
system, and the comfort and efficiency of working in a full Windows environment without any
extra user training required.
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