InfoBusiness 2.0

All businesses must share information, files, and applications among multiple local and remote users.  Many companies use Microsoft Windows and peer-to-peer or client/server networks, where all applications reside on a shared server but are executed at the desktop level, to accomplish this.  However, this approach can result in high operating costs, and can put a tremendous strain on your IT resources. 

Server-based computing provides an efficient and affordable way to share technology components among your employees.  In fact, server-based computing technologies are so effective; they are currently in use at more than 90 percent of Fortune 1000 companies, according to a Forrester Research study.

With server-based computing, you set up a dedicated server to share and run all applications.  All end-user computers are then connected to the server as if they were network terminals.  All of your applications, and their related files and data, will then be fully-centralized.  Additionally, all network terminals will be 100 percent interchangeable.  As a result, you can significantly reduce your set-up and administration expenses, minimize the burden on IT staff, and decrease downtime. 

This dedicated server should be set up on a Windows, Linux, or mainframe platform.  Microsoft has terminal services already built into its Windows Server 2000 and Windows Server 2003.  Additionally, they provide a remote client for any Windows desktop.  Linux, on the other hand, offers free X-Windows server-based software, which allows any terminal to review and run any application that resides on the server.  

This concept is not new.  IBM mainframes have allowed users to leverage this type of shared application configuration from the very beginning.  But, over the last five years, a large number of free remote client software packages have become available through Open Source Community, and many commercial solutions have been developed for cross-platform integration using Windows, Linux, and AS-400. 

Let’s take a look at an example using the average small business.  It may have anywhere from 10 to 50 desktop computers, a handful of servers, and about 10 standard applications such as Microsoft Office, email, Web access and browsing, accounting, and other employee productivity tools.  There may even be a few customized or proprietary software packages designed specifically for your industry or business.  If all of them are running on Microsoft Windows, you can set up a dedicated terminal server, and use your existing PCs as terminals for network-based access. 

This type of installation typically requires a Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 Server with terminal licenses.  You can use the same Windows machines you have right now, and run free Microsoft remote desktop software to connect them to the terminal server. This configuration will be even more cost-effective if you test it on a few computers, then converting any really old computers to “dumb” network terminals using free Linux-based PSEX software.  This will allow you to recycle older computers, and drive the cost of each terminal down a few hundred dollars.  Additionally, since each terminal will only be running Linux PSEX software, they can be easily replaced – without any downtime or tech support expenses – if they break. 

More information on server-based computing and related products is available from Microsoft, Red Hat, and IBM. 

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 at 13:10 and is filed under business, it. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.