Check out this report from the Gartner Group. Two sentences that appear far apart in the press release have particular meaning to our thread when seen consecutively:
"The dominant form of thin-client desktop deployment in 1999, according to the Datapro report, is a Windows terminal with Microsoft NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition (TSE). ... Almost every survey respondent deploying Windows TSE also deploys Citrix MetaFrame for load balancing and session shadowing."
For MikeM, it also puts the current use of Java in perspective.
--Mike Buckley
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DELRAN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 1999--
-New Study Reveals Thin-Client Deployment Trends in Enterprises-
Migration to a thin-client-based networking environment is on the rise at many large and small enterprises, but the obstacles to thin-client computing may be rooted more in human reservations than in technological limitations.
That finding comes from a new research study report, "The Reality of Deploying Thin Clients in 1999," by Datapro, a unit of Gartner Group, Inc. (NYSE:IT).
The report indicates that Windows terminals as thin clients offer many advantages to enterprises, including reduction in support staff costs by at least 80 percent compared to "fat client" PCs. Deployment of applications for fat-client PCs can take months to complete while Windows terminals take less than a day. Thin-client desktops also reduce time for upgrades. All those reasons make it critical to educate users and customers about the benefits of thin-client deployment, concludes the study.
Despite such advantages, however, users in enterprises may resist a switch to thin clients, hesitating to give up their trusty PCs. Reasons for the resistance include lack of control, product features and concerns that performance will suffer. To offset those fears, the Datapro survey points out that IT and non-IT managers should secure user buy-in to ease the transition to the new environment. That can be done by involving users in early pilots and selling them on the personal advantages and capabilities of thin-client desktops.
"While each enterprise must weigh the impact of implementing thin-client solutions, the benefits often outweigh the disadvantages," said Peter Lowber, research director for Datapro's Client Systems service. "However, to make the conversion a true success, management must grab the mind share of the PC user early in the process."
The report covers the benefits, limitations, and lessons learned from a variety of small to large enterprises that have deployed thin-client technologies. Nearly half of the enterprises surveyed use thin clients on at least 50 percent of their desktops. The dominant form of thin-client desktop deployment in 1999, according to the Datapro report, is a Windows terminal with Microsoft NT Server 4.0, Terminal Server Edition (TSE). The primary reason respondents deploy thin-client technology is to reduce the cost of desktop administration, standardize the desktop, reduce time to market, and eliminate the need for upgrading PC hardware. The study also found that client/server applications run more effectively in a thin-client environment than in one that is PC-dominant. Thin-client technology is particularly well-suited for use in call centers, customer service environments, point of sale, patient records, insurance claim systems, or even on a factory floor, the research outlined.
Other findings in the survey are:
Almost every survey respondent deploying Windows TSE also deploys Citrix MetaFrame for load balancing and session shadowing. Windows terminal deployments have spread across the enterprise. The consensus is that Windows terminals are appropriate for general office use, but many Windows applications must be redesigned for multiple users.
As business Applications move to the Web, some respondents are considering another approach: bypassing Windows Terminal Server with direct user access to Web applications. Bypassing Windows Terminal Server for Web or Java deployments provides more scalability, better user performance and lower total acquisition cost.
Only a few respondents have deployed or are piloting applications with Java. Java computer deployments require a major investment in network infrastructure and application architecture, and a long-term commitment to plan, design, develop and test the applications. The decision to deploy the technology is strategic, and the applications targeted are business applications.
To purchase this report or to subscribe to the Client Systems service, please call Lucinda Washington at 800/DATAPRO. More information about Datapro's services and descriptions of recent research reports can be found on the Internet at datapro.com.
GartnerGroup's Datapro provides products and services to gain a thorough understanding of specific technology areas and product categories. Those services present the most convenient and effective way to gain important background knowledge and product insight and to stay current on IT products, vendors, and technologies worldwide.
About GartnerGroup
As the world's leading authority on IT, GartnerGroup provides clients with a wide range of products and services in the areas of IT advisory services, measurement, research, decision support, analysis, and consulting. Founded in 1979, with headquarters in Stamford, Conn., GartnerGroup is at the center of a global community serving fortune 1000 companies from 80 locations worldwide. Additional information about the company is available on the Internet at gartner.com. |
