NC AND PC PLAY TO A DRAW
Gartner Group study lauds nc costs while defending the PC.
By Andrew P. Madden
Gartner Group announced on January 21 that the use of network
computers can result in cost savings of up to 39 percent over the
Microsoft Windows 95 desktop environment, but cautioned that the NC is
not ready to replace the PC.
The study examined the total cost of ownership in three proposed NC
models vs. the cost of a networked PC environment.
Gartner Group determined a savings of 26 percent for the NetPC, Intel
and Microsoft's product; 31 percent for the NC-S, an intelligent display device promoted by Citrix
that executes Windows functions; and 39 percent for the NC-C, a Java-based workstation that has
evolved from work by Oracle, International Business Machines, and Sun.
A company implementing 250 NCs could save anywhere from $715,000
to $1.12 million annually, the report said.
However, Dave Cappuccio, vice president of network technologies at
Gartner Group cautioned, "Don't throw away your PCs."
According to the study, the NC is a "solid concept" that will challenge the PC in certain
environments, like help desks or call centers, relatively soon. These are environments in which a
PC typically plays a "specific, reduced, or limited" role, the study said.
But NC applications, development tools, and management products will
have to be available and effective before the NC environment poses any
real threat to PC dominance. Gartner Group predicted that complete NC
solutions would not arrive until at least 1998.
The study further concluded that, in lieu of the NC, companies can
currently generate 25 percent savings through better management of
PC/LAN environments.
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This is a VERY interesting statement:
According to the study, the NC is a "solid concept" that will challenge the PC in certain
environments, like help desks or call centers, relatively soon. These are environments in which a
PC typically plays a "specific, reduced, or limited" role, the study said.
The "specific, reduced, or limited" role struck me in this way - Does this not apply to MOST
corporate computer functions?
Comments?
RS |
