Room222 - What do you think about the next generation of computing using the Sun Ray thin client provided to me by my bank or brokerage company. They will be able to provide a secure computing environment with biometrics verification and full access for me to all of my important transaction records. The cost of the devices are small so if the host vendor provides the necessary equipment and/or security devises they get a loyal customer. Sunw has built an enterprise system to deliver this now and because the cost of the appliances are small and falling it is just a matter of time before a Schwab, E-Trade, Ameritrade, Citi-Bank provides such a service platform.
The savings to the enterprise is substantial just in the reduced mailing fees to send annual reports, documents, monthly statements, and transaction slips. I suppose the enterprise could charge their clients for the added services but the leap frog change is for the customer to transition to the new platform because of the security these thin clients provide.
The Solaris 10 operating system will be transparent to the end user but will provide the enterprise complete control Vs the Microsoft solution. I know I would feel more comfortable with a dedicated thin client managed by my brokerage company. The burden then is on them to provide and update all appropriate patches to maintain a secure site.
This type of thin client platform could also be integrated with VOIP features so when I call the company, they know that it is me (as I apply my thumb over the biometrics scanner) and I do not have to respond to all of those silly questions.
Sun to offer utility pricing for desktops (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5457031.html)
"...SAN JOSE, Calif.--Sun Microsystems will add a new element to its utility computing plan, letting customers rent out access to Sun Ray thin clients for desktop computing tasks.
The Sun Ray products--terminals that rely on central servers for computing horsepower--haven't made much headway against their primary competitors, PCs running Windows or, less often, Linux. But Sun keeps plugging away at the technology, and now plans to bring its novel pricing approach to the Sun Rays in the next three to six months, Sun President Jonathan said at a Solaris 10 announcement event here. ..."
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When the price per site license "end user" becomes cheap enough, I bet you will see a large enterprise company step up and provide these thin clients to their large "end user" customers for the reasons I explained above. SUNW is well positioned in the market to provide these service now at a very affordable price.
EKS |
