Why Consider Thin Clients?
First a few points...
- No PC, no matter how much, or how fast, in approximately three years will effectively be "junk"
- With any great number of PCs (10+), installing software, fixing user problems, or fixing/replacing HDs/Video Cards/Memory/etc becomes a REAL time/resource DRAIN
- The electricity required to power a full PC is considerable, even computers which utilize Energy Star guidelines (I can provide you excellent studies on this!)
Consider another way of looking at your PC purchase.... I classify users in three ways:
1. Basic
- only needs the same, standard applications
- this type of user is generally computer illiterate
- uses mostly network resources like printers, file servers, etc
- don't want or need super sound/graphics
2. Power Users
- may seldom need access to floppy drives, CD-ROMs, and local printers
- might need more advanced graphics or sound capability
- might have a Palm/PocketPC which they want to "sync" with corporate data
3. Advanced
- need maximum computer flexibility and expandability
- knows a lot about computers and can generally take care of most issues
themselves without involving IT
I ask you to take a look at all of the users you want to purchase new PCs for and put them in one of the categories above. Then total the numbers for each type of user.
If you find that the BULK (approx 66%) exist in the first two categories above, you can save a LOT of money by considering thin clients!
The basic thin client we would propose only costs $300 each! A thin client has the following advantages over a PC:
- VERY small, just smaller than a standard telephone. Can be mounted or hung anyway. In my office, we hid them in or behind the desk.
- Has NO moving parts, completely solid state.
- Includes 4 USB ports, video, network, serial ports, keyboard, and a mouse.
- Use MUCH less electricity, and automatically powers itself down when not in use. Because its solid state, the power draw is minimal.
- If the unit has a problem, you just swap it out with another unit. That's it!. Easy enough for almost any novice to do themselves (great for remote sites). I usually leave a couple extra at a site so they have them when they need them.
- Has a three year next day warranty replacement.
- You can upgrade and configure all remote units from a central computer.
- Great for "industrial" environments because its small, and won't collect or care about dust (no fans), can be easily hidden, and theft of the device will not do anyone else any good
The money you save on thin clients is then shifted to a server. That server then powers ALL the clients, and provides:
- Central administration of what each client can see/do
- EASY software upgrades (just upgrade the server, all clients automatically get it)
- We fix the server so most users can't mess up printer drivers, icons, etc. make the terminal "idiot-proof"!
- Generally a single processor server with 32mb RAM per user, can handle 25 terminals. With the cost of servers now, this is a big cost savings.
And then if you lease the entire setup, you gain the following benefits:
- No Amortization schedules, just expense the monthly lease amount every month (ask you accountant)
- Usually 1 or 2 months up-front is the ONLY up-front cost
- Like cars, you ALREADY know you want something new in 3-5 years. By leasing, you have already planned to always have good equipment under warranty.
- Budget wise, you know EXACTLY what your monthly computer cost is and can budget appropriately.
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