Am concluding this blog here, since professionally, I will not be focussing on this area anymore.
Thin Clients & Virtualization are in my eyes undoubtedly the future of computing - the host of new technologies emerging every month now from different companies all point in that direction. What will be interesting to see as this story unfolds is - who will be the GORILLA - and who will turn out to be the CHIMPANZEES as this tornado crosses the chasm of technology adoption and hits the main street.
From the moves being now made in the market - my guess is, hp will be a big player (witness the Neoware buyout, the blade server (Shorty) / blade PC story) unfolding. Microsoft - never one to be left out, will make a big play for sure (witness their buyout of Softgrid, their own work on virtual PC, virtualization softwares, the designing-in of many Citrix functionalities in their upcoming Longhorn server). The other biggie to be watched here will be IBM. Fasten up gents, the flight is just about taking off now.
Specifically around the "Client" being virtualized - the opportunity being thrown up is to get the next billion users onto the world wide web, using a virtualized setup or a thin client. For this set of users - "psychological obsolescense" be damned, its just a question of - "give me something that works - allows me to get onto the internet - and yes, which does not need to be maintained/ pampered"......"Did you say its not exactly a PC ?"....."Who cares ?"
If you are into IT hardware - watch this space very closely in the days to come.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Voices from the marketplace
Attached is link to an interview with David Angwin, Senior Marketing Manager for Wyse technologies, based in the UK.
http://www.thincomputing.net/content.php?article.27
Interesting interview, where he talks about how Wyse is moving away from being just a Thin Client vendor to a vendor that aims to cover more of the application delivery market space with innovative products and technologies. He also says : "Over the past 2 years we have seen more major deployments of thin clients; and new technologies from VMware, Citrix and Microsoft just accelerate that growth. To give a feel for thin client adoption: 1 in 7 desktop computers bought in 2007 in Western Europe will be a thin client".
Considering that markets in India have always closely followed whats happening in the West, this is a trend that’s definitely ON.
The interview also talks about how the scope of what can be done on thin clients is gradually increasing to encompass everything that can be done on a PC. He ends the interview talking about "zero clients" as against "thin clients" - a concept where the client device almost disappears.
http://www.thincomputing.net/content.php?article.27
Interesting interview, where he talks about how Wyse is moving away from being just a Thin Client vendor to a vendor that aims to cover more of the application delivery market space with innovative products and technologies. He also says : "Over the past 2 years we have seen more major deployments of thin clients; and new technologies from VMware, Citrix and Microsoft just accelerate that growth. To give a feel for thin client adoption: 1 in 7 desktop computers bought in 2007 in Western Europe will be a thin client".
Considering that markets in India have always closely followed whats happening in the West, this is a trend that’s definitely ON.
The interview also talks about how the scope of what can be done on thin clients is gradually increasing to encompass everything that can be done on a PC. He ends the interview talking about "zero clients" as against "thin clients" - a concept where the client device almost disappears.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
The Advent of "Green IT"
As in every other segment - environmental concerns are gradually gathering steam - even in IT hardware. So much so, that "Green IT" will be a key focus of Gartner's annual symposium, to be held at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre in Sydney from November 20-23, 2007.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;818170849
The implication is clear : "…...with the high level of political sensitivity surrounding green IT, Gartner believes its CIOs that need to take a leadership role in this area and demonstrate a degree of corporate responsibility". Expect more and more global companies to be talking this language.
One of the key products that help in achieving these GREEN objectives is Thin Clients. With their power consumption being at less than a tenth of PCs - the best way for most companies to show they care for the environment, will be to go in for thin clients.
http://www.computerworld.com.au/index.php/id;818170849
The implication is clear : "…...with the high level of political sensitivity surrounding green IT, Gartner believes its CIOs that need to take a leadership role in this area and demonstrate a degree of corporate responsibility". Expect more and more global companies to be talking this language.
One of the key products that help in achieving these GREEN objectives is Thin Clients. With their power consumption being at less than a tenth of PCs - the best way for most companies to show they care for the environment, will be to go in for thin clients.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Why Thin Clients Are Back In - Part III
This is the concluding part of the series by cio.com…..on "Why Thins back in".
http://www.searchcio.com.au/topics/article.asp?DocID=6100791&SiteID=19
In this final part, the article highlights a case study of Jetstar which deploys thin clients in airport terminals. We have a similar success story at Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport in Kolkatta which runs on our t5720 thin clients.
The article further highlights one key fall-out of this desktop virtualization : "The thin client and virtualisation revolution has also made it possible to finally realise the dot-com-era dreams of the Application Service Providers". The implication is software being offered increasingly as a service and not as a product. The article further highlights how thin clients have helped in maximising ROI for customers and most of all deliver "peace of mind". As it summarises : "The peace of mind offered by virtual PCs and thin clients might just be enough to justify their adoption without even doing the ROI calculations. When you add up all the advantages, thin must surely be the future for all end-user computing".
Get thinking.
http://www.searchcio.com.au/topics/article.asp?DocID=6100791&SiteID=19
In this final part, the article highlights a case study of Jetstar which deploys thin clients in airport terminals. We have a similar success story at Netaji Subhas Chandra Airport in Kolkatta which runs on our t5720 thin clients.
The article further highlights one key fall-out of this desktop virtualization : "The thin client and virtualisation revolution has also made it possible to finally realise the dot-com-era dreams of the Application Service Providers". The implication is software being offered increasingly as a service and not as a product. The article further highlights how thin clients have helped in maximising ROI for customers and most of all deliver "peace of mind". As it summarises : "The peace of mind offered by virtual PCs and thin clients might just be enough to justify their adoption without even doing the ROI calculations. When you add up all the advantages, thin must surely be the future for all end-user computing".
Get thinking.
Why Thin Clients Are Back In - Part II
This is in continuation of the series by cio.com…..on "Why Thins back in".
http://www.searchcio.com.au/topics/article.asp?DocID=6100790&SiteID=19
In this second part, the article talks about how "virtualization" technologies have made a change to thin client computing & how "virtualization" gives the flexibility to users to use various different operating systems like XPP, Vista - without upgrading their current user hardware or by using simple thin clients instead.
"The problem with the thin client approach before virtualisation was that there was some modification or compromise to the end user experience in some way or another. What you get with virtualisation is an uncompromised end user experience where for all intents and purposes it's exactly like having a desktop. You can change the screen, you can add your family photos, you can change the colours, do all of that, you just happen to have a thin client on the desk not a full desktop"
"From a hardware side different people will approach it differently," says Harapin. "For example if you have an existing desktop that's running Windows XP, you might want to run Windows Vista, but the hardware itself may not be adequate to support Vista. You can run a virtual client and use your existing physical desktop but stream Vista down to that old piece of hardware until it's time to replace it with a thin client, but nothing changes on the user end. So it is horses for courses and depends on the end user's environment"
Very interesting, do read.
http://www.searchcio.com.au/topics/article.asp?DocID=6100790&SiteID=19
In this second part, the article talks about how "virtualization" technologies have made a change to thin client computing & how "virtualization" gives the flexibility to users to use various different operating systems like XPP, Vista - without upgrading their current user hardware or by using simple thin clients instead.
"The problem with the thin client approach before virtualisation was that there was some modification or compromise to the end user experience in some way or another. What you get with virtualisation is an uncompromised end user experience where for all intents and purposes it's exactly like having a desktop. You can change the screen, you can add your family photos, you can change the colours, do all of that, you just happen to have a thin client on the desk not a full desktop"
"From a hardware side different people will approach it differently," says Harapin. "For example if you have an existing desktop that's running Windows XP, you might want to run Windows Vista, but the hardware itself may not be adequate to support Vista. You can run a virtual client and use your existing physical desktop but stream Vista down to that old piece of hardware until it's time to replace it with a thin client, but nothing changes on the user end. So it is horses for courses and depends on the end user's environment"
Very interesting, do read.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Why Thin Clients Are Back In - Part1
Heres a series starting by cio.com…..on "Why Thins back in".
http://www.searchcio.com.au/topics/article.asp?DocID=6100789&SiteID=19
In this first part, the article introduces a new paradigm in the way we think about thin computing, by saying : "I think even the word thin client, which I guess we're stuck with now because it's the start of the whole revolution, is a little bit of a misnomer because today thin client really refers to the thinness of the connection between the end point and the data centre. So that's what thin client today really means as opposed to the actual hardware that many people use"
What this really hints at is that the bigger question or perspective for IT managers is about : What data / applications do you want to reside locally - and how much of that do you want back in the datacenter. This could be from a policy point of view or security point of view or even from a government legislation point of view. The front end may be a conventional PC or laptop - but we might still be talking about thin computing.
We will continue to track thie series. Do read - this will increasingly be the burning question for IT managers while rolling out client devices.
http://www.searchcio.com.au/topics/article.asp?DocID=6100789&SiteID=19
In this first part, the article introduces a new paradigm in the way we think about thin computing, by saying : "I think even the word thin client, which I guess we're stuck with now because it's the start of the whole revolution, is a little bit of a misnomer because today thin client really refers to the thinness of the connection between the end point and the data centre. So that's what thin client today really means as opposed to the actual hardware that many people use"
What this really hints at is that the bigger question or perspective for IT managers is about : What data / applications do you want to reside locally - and how much of that do you want back in the datacenter. This could be from a policy point of view or security point of view or even from a government legislation point of view. The front end may be a conventional PC or laptop - but we might still be talking about thin computing.
We will continue to track thie series. Do read - this will increasingly be the burning question for IT managers while rolling out client devices.
Thin Clients = Less Head-aches
Heres an interesting write-up from a customer who has bought several brands of thin clients, and goes ga-ga about the convinience of hp thin clients - and the utilities that come with them, that makes life so easy for IT administrators like him.
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1205
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1205
A Thinclient Sales pitch
Heres an interesting write-up from one other vendor doing thin clients (not in India).
http://www.bosanova.net/thinclientbill.html
The article lists out the trends (as they see it), different components that go in, costs & TCO benefits.
http://www.bosanova.net/thinclientbill.html
The article lists out the trends (as they see it), different components that go in, costs & TCO benefits.
Thin Clients : Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow
Heres a very interesting write-up that you MUSTgo through.
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2000/01/27/179160/thin-clients-enter-the-space-age.htm
For any product category that we sell - as important as it is to know the product, it is also very important that we know the history of the device evolution - and also have a perspective of where it is headed next. This article gives you that perspective on thin clients.
For example : Did you know that every day of your life, each one of you uses a thin client ? "The future will see the rise of the thinnest device to date - the mobile phone. At the moment, the modern cellular telephone has most of the requirements to qualify as a thin client: it has a permanent connection to a network; it has high reliability and its services are provided from a central source."
Then again : "We envisage that within five years IT professionals may well have a Thincard in their wallet, simply plugging the card into a network attached device to access a virtual desktop, anywhere in the world."
http://www.computerweekly.com/Articles/2000/01/27/179160/thin-clients-enter-the-space-age.htm
For any product category that we sell - as important as it is to know the product, it is also very important that we know the history of the device evolution - and also have a perspective of where it is headed next. This article gives you that perspective on thin clients.
For example : Did you know that every day of your life, each one of you uses a thin client ? "The future will see the rise of the thinnest device to date - the mobile phone. At the moment, the modern cellular telephone has most of the requirements to qualify as a thin client: it has a permanent connection to a network; it has high reliability and its services are provided from a central source."
Then again : "We envisage that within five years IT professionals may well have a Thincard in their wallet, simply plugging the card into a network attached device to access a virtual desktop, anywhere in the world."
Theres a BOOM coming up
Heres a small write-up from the NewYork Times blog, reflecting on an oncoming "Thin Client Boom".
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/thin-client-boom-finally/
As it says : "What’s different this time? The software, networking and user experience for server-based computing delivered to individuals has improved considerably. Virtual software versions of Windows desktops can be streamed to thin clients, including audio and video. There are even notebook thin-client machines these days. PC’s are power-hungry, so they increase energy costs and may contribute to global warming. Also, Server-based computing has a big security edge over PC’s."
Do breeze through.
http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/07/26/thin-client-boom-finally/
As it says : "What’s different this time? The software, networking and user experience for server-based computing delivered to individuals has improved considerably. Virtual software versions of Windows desktops can be streamed to thin clients, including audio and video. There are even notebook thin-client machines these days. PC’s are power-hungry, so they increase energy costs and may contribute to global warming. Also, Server-based computing has a big security edge over PC’s."
Do breeze through.
Remote Computing in the years ahead
This is one of the really good articles I have come across - that details out the different mutated versions that remote computing will take in the years to come. Talks about SBC (server based computing), CCI (Client Consolidation Infrastructure) and VDI (Virtual Desktop Interface).
The article traces how many view the desktop PC as the "source of all evil" in IT infrastructure - and there have been historically many attempts on the PCs life - notably from people like Larry Elisson of Oracle a few years back, which however failed. As the article states :
"That all could change in 2007, and this time the attempt on the PC's life is much more serious. In fact, the murder is planned by nobody less than the "parents" of the PC. Father IBM is involved, and so is mother Compaq (now part of HP). Yes, two of the most important companies in the history of the PC are ready to slowly kill the 25 year old. Will these super heavyweights finally offer a more cost friendly alternative to the desktop PC? Let's find out"
Do go through :
http://www.anandtech.com/IT/showdoc.aspx?i=3041&p=1
The article traces how many view the desktop PC as the "source of all evil" in IT infrastructure - and there have been historically many attempts on the PCs life - notably from people like Larry Elisson of Oracle a few years back, which however failed. As the article states :
"That all could change in 2007, and this time the attempt on the PC's life is much more serious. In fact, the murder is planned by nobody less than the "parents" of the PC. Father IBM is involved, and so is mother Compaq (now part of HP). Yes, two of the most important companies in the history of the PC are ready to slowly kill the 25 year old. Will these super heavyweights finally offer a more cost friendly alternative to the desktop PC? Let's find out"
Do go through :
http://www.anandtech.com/IT/showdoc.aspx?i=3041&p=1
Virtualization 1.0
Heres a pretty good article from Rehat : A simple guide to Virtualization.
Basically states :
- What is Virtualization ?
- How does one benefit from Virtualization ?
- Who has benefited from Virtualization ?
Do go through :
http://www.apac.redhat.com/rhel/virtualization/guide/?sc_cid=136#what
Basically states :
- What is Virtualization ?
- How does one benefit from Virtualization ?
- Who has benefited from Virtualization ?
Do go through :
http://www.apac.redhat.com/rhel/virtualization/guide/?sc_cid=136#what
Securing the PC : A Lost Cause
Heres a very interesting viewpoint on : "Securing the PC".
Definite to raise the hackles of many - what he essentially says is : "PC security is a lost cause -and people who tell you otherwise are either lying or dangerously naïve". And he also says : "But what if security really does matter? then you have to abandon the PC: there are no other options". :-) Ofcourse there is the option of thin clients though.
Very interesting - far right viewpoint. Do read it to understand the issues he is raising.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Murphy/?p=916
Definite to raise the hackles of many - what he essentially says is : "PC security is a lost cause -and people who tell you otherwise are either lying or dangerously naïve". And he also says : "But what if security really does matter? then you have to abandon the PC: there are no other options". :-) Ofcourse there is the option of thin clients though.
Very interesting - far right viewpoint. Do read it to understand the issues he is raising.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Murphy/?p=916
Browsers making hardware irrelevant
We've talked about this before - the operating system will become increasingly irrelevant as more of what we do is browser-based.
Google announced yesterday that they were adding automated email migration tools to the Premier and Education editions of Google Apps for Your Domain. The latter is free for educational institutions. This new feature is in addition to several others introduced recently and available freely to educational customers. New features include a built-in PowerPoint viewer, shared address books, and increased functionality of iGoogle, each user’s personalized homepage.
"Now you can open PowerPoint attachments as slideshows without having to download anything. Just click ‘View as slideshow’ next to the .ppt attachment you want to preview. Since you can open .doc and .xls attachments with Google Docs and Spreadsheets too, there’s no need to leave your web browser to view email attachments"
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/smooth-apps-move.html
When all you need to do all these things is a browser - guess what happens to the hardware needed ?....Yes - it just needs to be a thin client !!
Guys - this is the future we are heading to - and the ecosystem is slowly but surely falling into place.
Google announced yesterday that they were adding automated email migration tools to the Premier and Education editions of Google Apps for Your Domain. The latter is free for educational institutions. This new feature is in addition to several others introduced recently and available freely to educational customers. New features include a built-in PowerPoint viewer, shared address books, and increased functionality of iGoogle, each user’s personalized homepage.
"Now you can open PowerPoint attachments as slideshows without having to download anything. Just click ‘View as slideshow’ next to the .ppt attachment you want to preview. Since you can open .doc and .xls attachments with Google Docs and Spreadsheets too, there’s no need to leave your web browser to view email attachments"
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/smooth-apps-move.html
When all you need to do all these things is a browser - guess what happens to the hardware needed ?....Yes - it just needs to be a thin client !!
Guys - this is the future we are heading to - and the ecosystem is slowly but surely falling into place.
Browsers making hardware irrelevant
We've talked about this before - the operating system will become increasingly irrelevant as more of what we do is browser-based.
Google announced yesterday that they were adding automated email migration tools to the Premier and Education editions of Google Apps for Your Domain. The latter is free for educational institutions. This new feature is in addition to several others introduced recently and available freely to educational customers. New features include a built-in PowerPoint viewer, shared address books, and increased functionality of iGoogle, each user’s personalized homepage.
"Now you can open PowerPoint attachments as slideshows without having to download anything. Just click ‘View as slideshow’ next to the .ppt attachment you want to preview. Since you can open .doc and .xls attachments with Google Docs and Spreadsheets too, there’s no need to leave your web browser to view email attachments"
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/smooth-apps-move.html
When all you need to do all these things is a browser - guess what happens to the hardware needed ?....Yes - it just needs to be a thin client !!
Guys - this is the future we are heading to - and the ecosystem is slowly but surely falling into place.
Google announced yesterday that they were adding automated email migration tools to the Premier and Education editions of Google Apps for Your Domain. The latter is free for educational institutions. This new feature is in addition to several others introduced recently and available freely to educational customers. New features include a built-in PowerPoint viewer, shared address books, and increased functionality of iGoogle, each user’s personalized homepage.
"Now you can open PowerPoint attachments as slideshows without having to download anything. Just click ‘View as slideshow’ next to the .ppt attachment you want to preview. Since you can open .doc and .xls attachments with Google Docs and Spreadsheets too, there’s no need to leave your web browser to view email attachments"
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2007/06/smooth-apps-move.html
When all you need to do all these things is a browser - guess what happens to the hardware needed ?....Yes - it just needs to be a thin client !!
Guys - this is the future we are heading to - and the ecosystem is slowly but surely falling into place.
The Devils Advocate : Why NOT VDI
Heres a contrarian view point - "Why VDI is not such a good idea".
http://jameskahn.net/blog/2007/06/18/vdi-why-you-probably-shouldnt-care/
Always helps to see both sides of the coin - and then frame our understanding. Read it, to get a deeper understanding of the issues involved.
http://jameskahn.net/blog/2007/06/18/vdi-why-you-probably-shouldnt-care/
Always helps to see both sides of the coin - and then frame our understanding. Read it, to get a deeper understanding of the issues involved.
Virtualization : You're in the Army now
One of the interesting segments adopting thin clients in a big way is the Army. I had earlier sent a write-up on how the Israeli army is moving completely to thin clients as a security measure. Heres a small write-up now on how the Americans are doing the same.
http://www.fcw.com/article92008-01-19-06-Web
Gary Winkler, director of the Army’s Governance, Acquisition and Chief Knowledge Office, said the plan would save the Army between 8 percent and 40 percent of the service's budget and would be implemented first at the 33 bases. "I see no reason why you can’t have thin clients in all of the services," Winkler said. "I see no reason why the Defense Department shouldn’t jump on the bandwagon."
http://www.fcw.com/article92008-01-19-06-Web
Gary Winkler, director of the Army’s Governance, Acquisition and Chief Knowledge Office, said the plan would save the Army between 8 percent and 40 percent of the service's budget and would be implemented first at the 33 bases. "I see no reason why you can’t have thin clients in all of the services," Winkler said. "I see no reason why the Defense Department shouldn’t jump on the bandwagon."
Monday, May 28, 2007
The Changing Paradigm in hardware
One of the biggest implications of the "virtualization phenonmenon" is on the grip that Microsoft has traditionally had on the IT hardware industry.
The scenario that is slowly unfolding is that : "Businesses will keep their existing XP or Windows 2000 operating systems, and avoid an upgrade to Vista. Instead, these businesses will use browsers to shift their e-mail, chat, instant messaging, virtual conferencing, encryption, audio, calendar, document management, backup storage, disaster recovery and security services into a service-based environment. The advantage of this approach is that it allows for piecemeal migration out of the Microsoft fold. It involves minimal risks because the migration can always be reversed.
Many of the elements of this approach are already shaping up. For instance, Google Apps, for an annual fee of $50, makes available e-mail, calendar, spreadsheets, document management, a Web-page creator, blogs, instant messaging and audio. It is likely that additional features will become available."
In this new scenario - all that customers will need is a thin client, with only a browser, instead of a fat client with more than 50 million lines of Microsoft code.
Interesting times…..read on…..
http://www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1540,2129594,00.asp
The scenario that is slowly unfolding is that : "Businesses will keep their existing XP or Windows 2000 operating systems, and avoid an upgrade to Vista. Instead, these businesses will use browsers to shift their e-mail, chat, instant messaging, virtual conferencing, encryption, audio, calendar, document management, backup storage, disaster recovery and security services into a service-based environment. The advantage of this approach is that it allows for piecemeal migration out of the Microsoft fold. It involves minimal risks because the migration can always be reversed.
Many of the elements of this approach are already shaping up. For instance, Google Apps, for an annual fee of $50, makes available e-mail, calendar, spreadsheets, document management, a Web-page creator, blogs, instant messaging and audio. It is likely that additional features will become available."
In this new scenario - all that customers will need is a thin client, with only a browser, instead of a fat client with more than 50 million lines of Microsoft code.
Interesting times…..read on…..
http://www.baselinemag.com/article2/0,1540,2129594,00.asp
Sunday, May 27, 2007
If SOA - then THIN
One of the technological trends that is pushing customers towards Thin clients is what is called as SOA (Service Oriented Architecture).
What SOA does is that it can browser-enable several applications without touching the others and thus can approach modernization as an ongoing process rather than a do-or-die, date-driven event for IT departments. With more and more applications becoming browser-enabled and web based, the only device needed to access them is a thin client.
As the article states : The thin client is here to stay, and the browser-based interface is just a better solution for today's rapidly changing business climate. The article ends with a dire threat for organisations not adopting SOA : If your applications aren't ready, your organization won't be a player; it will be an observer.
Interesting read that will give you a whiff of changing macro-technology trends will affect client computing.
http://www.mc-showcase.com/mcpress/showcase.nsf/content/66B83AB4A0AC5521862572D700370DF5
What SOA does is that it can browser-enable several applications without touching the others and thus can approach modernization as an ongoing process rather than a do-or-die, date-driven event for IT departments. With more and more applications becoming browser-enabled and web based, the only device needed to access them is a thin client.
As the article states : The thin client is here to stay, and the browser-based interface is just a better solution for today's rapidly changing business climate. The article ends with a dire threat for organisations not adopting SOA : If your applications aren't ready, your organization won't be a player; it will be an observer.
Interesting read that will give you a whiff of changing macro-technology trends will affect client computing.
http://www.mc-showcase.com/mcpress/showcase.nsf/content/66B83AB4A0AC5521862572D700370DF5
TC users : learning the ropes
As more and more customers discover "Thin Client computing" - there is one reality : As the writer in this post says :
"Rome was not built in a day, nor was a shift to server-centric computing completed overnight"
Customers are bound to face a few initial teeting problems - some real, some psychological (I am getting a lesser PC, types)…. But as people continue to work through these issues - the undisputed fact that’s emerging is that : Going Thin is a very smart move in more ways than one.
Read this coming-of-age article - of a new thin client user :
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1045
"Rome was not built in a day, nor was a shift to server-centric computing completed overnight"
Customers are bound to face a few initial teeting problems - some real, some psychological (I am getting a lesser PC, types)…. But as people continue to work through these issues - the undisputed fact that’s emerging is that : Going Thin is a very smart move in more ways than one.
Read this coming-of-age article - of a new thin client user :
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1045
TC users : learning the ropes
As more and more customers discover "Thin Client computing" - there is one reality : As the writer in this post says :
"Rome was not built in a day, nor was a shift to server-centric computing completed overnight"
Customers are bound to face a few initial teeting problems - some real, some psychological (I am getting a lesser PC, types)…. But as people continue to work through these issues - the undisputed fact that’s emerging is that : Going Thin is a very smart move in more ways than one.
Read this coming-of-age article - of a new thin client user :
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1045
"Rome was not built in a day, nor was a shift to server-centric computing completed overnight"
Customers are bound to face a few initial teeting problems - some real, some psychological (I am getting a lesser PC, types)…. But as people continue to work through these issues - the undisputed fact that’s emerging is that : Going Thin is a very smart move in more ways than one.
Read this coming-of-age article - of a new thin client user :
http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1045
Thin clients riding the server wave ?
Voices from the market :
Heres a small write-up in a popular IT Weekly advising on IT roll-outs.
http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20070507/overview03.shtml
"As the penetration of servers is on the rise in the small business segment, the preference is for thin clients, which would cost you lesser than Rs 10,000 per client in some cases. Thin clients are not only cost-effective but they also ensure better security, since there are no hard disks in these devices."
Heres a small write-up in a popular IT Weekly advising on IT roll-outs.
http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20070507/overview03.shtml
"As the penetration of servers is on the rise in the small business segment, the preference is for thin clients, which would cost you lesser than Rs 10,000 per client in some cases. Thin clients are not only cost-effective but they also ensure better security, since there are no hard disks in these devices."
Thin clients riding the server wave ?
Voices from the market :
Heres a small write-up in a popular IT Weekly advising on IT roll-outs.
http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20070507/overview03.shtml
"As the penetration of servers is on the rise in the small business segment, the preference is for thin clients, which would cost you lesser than Rs 10,000 per client in some cases. Thin clients are not only cost-effective but they also ensure better security, since there are no hard disks in these devices."
Heres a small write-up in a popular IT Weekly advising on IT roll-outs.
http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20070507/overview03.shtml
"As the penetration of servers is on the rise in the small business segment, the preference is for thin clients, which would cost you lesser than Rs 10,000 per client in some cases. Thin clients are not only cost-effective but they also ensure better security, since there are no hard disks in these devices."
The coming of RIA
Heres a small but interesting blogpost on the emergence of RIA (Rich Internet Applications).
http://swtrends.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/ria-a-new-category/
RIA coupled with AJAX (Asynchronous Java and XML) are what is making it possible for applications to move away from local desktops and reside & operate out of the internet instead. The implication for hardware vendors is clearly that - as these technologies get more grounded and stable - the PC is going to get thinner and thinner…..Voila !! - we arrive at thin clients again.
What traditional hardware vendors like HP, Dell and Lenovo need to understand hence is that they are in the business of selling access devices - today it’s predominantly PCs and laptops…. But tomorrow, increasingly it will be thin clients.
http://swtrends.wordpress.com/2007/04/28/ria-a-new-category/
RIA coupled with AJAX (Asynchronous Java and XML) are what is making it possible for applications to move away from local desktops and reside & operate out of the internet instead. The implication for hardware vendors is clearly that - as these technologies get more grounded and stable - the PC is going to get thinner and thinner…..Voila !! - we arrive at thin clients again.
What traditional hardware vendors like HP, Dell and Lenovo need to understand hence is that they are in the business of selling access devices - today it’s predominantly PCs and laptops…. But tomorrow, increasingly it will be thin clients.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Todays biggest question
More and more people are mulling on it….."Thin client mania or Wishful thinking ?"
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/blogs/dcc/?p=116
The above article briefly touches on the different developments in this are over the last one year - and tries to make sense of the question above.
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/blogs/dcc/?p=116
The above article briefly touches on the different developments in this are over the last one year - and tries to make sense of the question above.
The Future of the PC at homes
Heres another very interesting article on the Future of the PC.
http://www.binarycreativity.com/2007/04/20/the-pc-is-dead-long-live-the-console/
"The desktop PC is always going to have a place at work, but at some point there, it may be replaced by thin clients.
However, in order to see why it’s going to be fast replaced at home, we have to recognize what people use their desktop PCs for. Firstly, there is the communication aspect of it. This includes e-mail, messaging, surfing the web, etc. Then, there’s the entertainment aspect of it. This includes playing games, watching movies, TV, and browsing the internet. I’d say for at least 80% of PC users, that’s it. An astute reader will notice that consoles (like the Xbox and PS3) already do all the entertainment aspects of a home PC, and a cell phone does all the communication aspects of it. Presently, they might not do them as well, but that may change."
Do take time to go through - its an interesting point of view.
http://www.binarycreativity.com/2007/04/20/the-pc-is-dead-long-live-the-console/
"The desktop PC is always going to have a place at work, but at some point there, it may be replaced by thin clients.
However, in order to see why it’s going to be fast replaced at home, we have to recognize what people use their desktop PCs for. Firstly, there is the communication aspect of it. This includes e-mail, messaging, surfing the web, etc. Then, there’s the entertainment aspect of it. This includes playing games, watching movies, TV, and browsing the internet. I’d say for at least 80% of PC users, that’s it. An astute reader will notice that consoles (like the Xbox and PS3) already do all the entertainment aspects of a home PC, and a cell phone does all the communication aspects of it. Presently, they might not do them as well, but that may change."
Do take time to go through - its an interesting point of view.
Thin Clients enter the home
We have been speaking about this for some time now….Thin Clients getting into homes.
Below is a small blog post of a manufacturer called SkinnyPC - who is actively pushing and promoting this concept. We have seen versions of this trial beginning to happen in India also.
Do go through.
http://www.johnkellett.co.uk/index.php/2007/04/17/thin-clients-for-the-home/
Below is a small blog post of a manufacturer called SkinnyPC - who is actively pushing and promoting this concept. We have seen versions of this trial beginning to happen in India also.
Do go through.
http://www.johnkellett.co.uk/index.php/2007/04/17/thin-clients-for-the-home/
Pengiuns join the thin brigade
We have spoken about his earlier - but more details are now emerging on this.
The Penguins ARE also going thin.
Do go through.
http://www.it-director.com/business/content.php?cid=9420
The Penguins ARE also going thin.
Do go through.
http://www.it-director.com/business/content.php?cid=9420
And now - Mobile Thinclients
As the thin client concept is catching the imagination of the corporate world - as with all technologies - we see new adaptations / variations of the basic technology emerging.
One such interesting variant that has begun to be talked about is the "Mobile Thinclient".
The basic idea here is that a mobile thin client can mitigate the key enterprise risk associated with the proliferation of the mobile workforce - mobile users can get access to their information anywhere, anytime while the data is always kept secure, by being ‘in’ the enterprise.
Very interesting - do go through.
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/11295/53/
One such interesting variant that has begun to be talked about is the "Mobile Thinclient".
The basic idea here is that a mobile thin client can mitigate the key enterprise risk associated with the proliferation of the mobile workforce - mobile users can get access to their information anywhere, anytime while the data is always kept secure, by being ‘in’ the enterprise.
Very interesting - do go through.
http://www.itwire.com.au/content/view/11295/53/
YOU have the power
Heres an interesting paper comparing energy consumption in PCs vs Thin clients.
(You need to click on the text - after you arrive at the page)
Very interesting - do go through.
http://digg.com/linux_unix/Desktop_Energy_Consumption_A_Comparison_of_Thin_Clients_and_PCs/who
(You need to click on the text - after you arrive at the page)
Very interesting - do go through.
http://digg.com/linux_unix/Desktop_Energy_Consumption_A_Comparison_of_Thin_Clients_and_PCs/who
Virtualization through VDI
Server based computing is the simplest avatar of Client Virtualization.
As the complexity of the applications increase, we adopt different technologies to deliver the same client virtualized experience to customers. One such technology is VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) from vmware.
What exactly is VDI ? How does it work ?
Pictures speak louder than words….. Do take time to go through this Flash demo......
www.hp.com/go/vdi
As the complexity of the applications increase, we adopt different technologies to deliver the same client virtualized experience to customers. One such technology is VDI (Virtual Desktop Infrastructure) from vmware.
What exactly is VDI ? How does it work ?
Pictures speak louder than words….. Do take time to go through this Flash demo......
www.hp.com/go/vdi
Saturday, April 7, 2007
MS joins the chorus
Here is some breaking news - that can give a BIG BIG boost - to thin client computing.
http://www.intelligententerprise.com/channels/applications/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198701971
Despite its former reluctance to support thin-client computing, Microsoft is now loosening up on its stand. First, they are going to permit streaming Vista directly to thin clients, allowing it to boot from the network instead of a local hard drive. The other change is a new subscription license called Windows Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktops (VECD). VECD lets customers to host Vista as virtual machines on something like VMware or Virtual PC.
With the company married to desktops, now changing its stand, thin clients will now move beyond being just-another-distraction on the side.
http://www.intelligententerprise.com/channels/applications/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198701971
Despite its former reluctance to support thin-client computing, Microsoft is now loosening up on its stand. First, they are going to permit streaming Vista directly to thin clients, allowing it to boot from the network instead of a local hard drive. The other change is a new subscription license called Windows Vista Enterprise Centralized Desktops (VECD). VECD lets customers to host Vista as virtual machines on something like VMware or Virtual PC.
With the company married to desktops, now changing its stand, thin clients will now move beyond being just-another-distraction on the side.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Breathe Easy - Go thin
Did you know that thin clients contribute to lesser carbon-dioxide emissons into the environment ?
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_07_03_29_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=3677
Breathe easy…...go thin.
http://ec.europa.eu/research/infocentre/article_en.cfm?id=/research/headlines/news/article_07_03_29_en.html&item=Infocentre&artid=3677
Breathe easy…...go thin.
Gung Ho VIA
Noises from the market….. this time its VIA, who is gung-ho on the thin client market in India exploding.
http://www.itvarnews.net/news/journal_comments.asp?JournalID=4288&PagePosition=1&sTitle=VIA%20focuses%20on%20Indian%20Thin-Client%20market
http://www.itvarnews.net/news/journal_comments.asp?JournalID=4288&PagePosition=1&sTitle=VIA%20focuses%20on%20Indian%20Thin-Client%20market
IT Nirvana = Virtualization
Heres an interesting case study of another happy customer who has ventured into virtualisation - with the help of hp.
http://www.datastorageconnection.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID=%7B7E658C6C-FCEB-4DA3-B70D-70DCCA34C6B6%7D&Bucket=Current+Headlines&VNETCOOKIE=NO
More and more customers are now discovering the one unfailing path to IT Nirvana…..Virtualisation.
The link includes a detailed case study - do go through.
http://www.datastorageconnection.com/content/news/article.asp?DocID=%7B7E658C6C-FCEB-4DA3-B70D-70DCCA34C6B6%7D&Bucket=Current+Headlines&VNETCOOKIE=NO
More and more customers are now discovering the one unfailing path to IT Nirvana…..Virtualisation.
The link includes a detailed case study - do go through.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
The Shrinking Datacenters
"Data centers are changing in size; some are getting smaller and more nimble, while others are increasing both in capacity and square footage. However, the one constant is that many large enterprise facilities are either increasing bandwidth, linking branch offices into one corporate headquarters site (and therefore increasing size) due to better fiber-optic connections across town or even between cities, or consolidating services and creating vast virtualized environments to such a great extent that the data center is shrinking."
A key factor enabling this shrinking of data centers is : server consolidation and implementation of virtualization technologies (both on server and storage side). This is logically followed by a second phase where existing desktops and laptops are converted to thin computing.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P2912/23p12/23p12.asp&guid=
The implication for IT marketers evangelising thin computing is : to keep an eye on companies adopting any virtualization related technologies - or going in for server consolidation. These are the customers who will be most likely to adopt thin client computing in the near future.
A key factor enabling this shrinking of data centers is : server consolidation and implementation of virtualization technologies (both on server and storage side). This is logically followed by a second phase where existing desktops and laptops are converted to thin computing.
http://www.processor.com/editorial/article.asp?article=articles/P2912/23p12/23p12.asp&guid=
The implication for IT marketers evangelising thin computing is : to keep an eye on companies adopting any virtualization related technologies - or going in for server consolidation. These are the customers who will be most likely to adopt thin client computing in the near future.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Vista : Gods gift to thin client computing !!!
Heres an interesting snippet that quotes Wyse CEO Tarkan Maner:
"Vista was God’s gift to Wyse". "When Vista's launch was announced, I was partying at home. I am not exaggerating. I bet it’s a phenomenal OS, but it requires so much memory."
Also talks about how Wyse and Novell are working together to create the thin client ecosystem - which he hopes, will help in eventually selling to ISPs and telcos offering broadband services that come bundled with thin clients for the home.
http://software.seekingalpha.com/article/30326
"Vista was God’s gift to Wyse". "When Vista's launch was announced, I was partying at home. I am not exaggerating. I bet it’s a phenomenal OS, but it requires so much memory."
Also talks about how Wyse and Novell are working together to create the thin client ecosystem - which he hopes, will help in eventually selling to ISPs and telcos offering broadband services that come bundled with thin clients for the home.
http://software.seekingalpha.com/article/30326
Thursday, March 22, 2007
A time for SBC, A time for VDI and A time for Streaming....
Client Virtualization in its most basic format is : Server based computing…. a scenario where hunderds of client devices connect to one server image. One of the reasons why "thin clients" in their earlier avatar did not take off was because, the minute the complexity of the applications hosted on the server increased, the thin client solution was found wanting in performance.
A spate of new technologies have now given a new lease of life to thin clients - main among them being, VDI (Virtual Desktop Interface), Application Streaming and CCI (Client Consolidation Infrastructure).
Below is an amazingly insightful article written on "When to use VDI, when to use server-based computing, and how Application streaming fits into all this".
Do take time to read this article - this is a really good one :
http://www.brianmadden.com/content/content.asp?id=682
A spate of new technologies have now given a new lease of life to thin clients - main among them being, VDI (Virtual Desktop Interface), Application Streaming and CCI (Client Consolidation Infrastructure).
Below is an amazingly insightful article written on "When to use VDI, when to use server-based computing, and how Application streaming fits into all this".
Do take time to read this article - this is a really good one :
http://www.brianmadden.com/content/content.asp?id=682
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
The Penguin Goes Thin !!
Another sign of the changing times…..
Linux heavyweights also are now putting their weight behind virtualization and thin clients….read on :
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/article.php/3666626
"Novell kicked off its annual conference yesterday with a slew of announcements, including updates for its core Linux offerings and a new enterprise thin-client solution" …… and then……..…"Red Hat is working on its stateless Linux effort, which is essentially a thin-client implementation"
The thin client ecosystem, which was once upon a time "thin" in the negative sense, is slowly getting populated with better and still better components, which are heralding the "Return of the Thin Client"….. as a blockbuster possibility.
Linux heavyweights also are now putting their weight behind virtualization and thin clients….read on :
http://itmanagement.earthweb.com/article.php/3666626
"Novell kicked off its annual conference yesterday with a slew of announcements, including updates for its core Linux offerings and a new enterprise thin-client solution" …… and then……..…"Red Hat is working on its stateless Linux effort, which is essentially a thin-client implementation"
The thin client ecosystem, which was once upon a time "thin" in the negative sense, is slowly getting populated with better and still better components, which are heralding the "Return of the Thin Client"….. as a blockbuster possibility.
Friday, March 16, 2007
Thin Clients : Helping Doctors
Heres an interesting implementation of thin clients in a healthcare environment.
http://www.itworldcanada.com/Pages/Docbase/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=idgml-53ba2603-1a43-41bd-8597-d1a304aec964
Yet another place where a client virtualised environment helps the organisation concentrate on their core business - taking care of patients, instead of worrying about managing fat client devices and their accompanying issues.
http://www.itworldcanada.com/Pages/Docbase/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=idgml-53ba2603-1a43-41bd-8597-d1a304aec964
Yet another place where a client virtualised environment helps the organisation concentrate on their core business - taking care of patients, instead of worrying about managing fat client devices and their accompanying issues.
Monday, March 12, 2007
The Return of the Prodigal
Heres an interesting article on "The return of the thin client".
http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=119062&WT.svl=cmpnews2_1
Is good because it details out what are the different components of this solution - the hardware and the software - and what are the revenue streams that this will bring in - especially for system integrators.
http://www.darkreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=119062&WT.svl=cmpnews2_1
Is good because it details out what are the different components of this solution - the hardware and the software - and what are the revenue streams that this will bring in - especially for system integrators.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Voices from the market
THE FUTURE IS THIN.
And the consensus seems to be building….and pretty rapidly too.
Attached is a "Voice from the market"….who seems to agree that the future is REALLY thin.
http://www.technospot.net/blogs/index.php/2007/03/06/introducing-the-thin-future-thin-clients/
Though some of his views - that thin clients perhaps cannot go to homes is debatable, a very interesting post to see - just for the beautiful photos it has included.
And the consensus seems to be building….and pretty rapidly too.
Attached is a "Voice from the market"….who seems to agree that the future is REALLY thin.
http://www.technospot.net/blogs/index.php/2007/03/06/introducing-the-thin-future-thin-clients/
Though some of his views - that thin clients perhaps cannot go to homes is debatable, a very interesting post to see - just for the beautiful photos it has included.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Application Virtualization - the new grail
One of the related technologies that Virtualization brings in - is what is termed as "Application Streaming". As a concept - this meshes with the other emerging trend in computing - of SaaS (Software as a service).
"Virtualization — isolates the application from the operating system and other applications — and streaming, delivers the application to the user. Moving the management of desktops to the data center, can reduce hundreds of desktop environments to one that’s under lock and key, while giving the user the illusion that he still has a fat client. Or a server can hold multiple desktop images, each tailored to a specific user’s work based on profiles stored in a directory.
When the user needs them, those applications — and sometimes complete operating environments — can be "streamed" over the network to the desktop, where they execute locally, without the server and communications overhead that comes from traditional client/server or thin-client computing. Some products allow the streaming of just those pieces of software actually needed for that session — perhaps just 20% of an application’s code — minimizing the demand for bandwidth, memory and disk."
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=282928&pageNumber=1
This is an extremely interesting article - also gives a brief view of how client computing has changed over the years.
"Virtualization — isolates the application from the operating system and other applications — and streaming, delivers the application to the user. Moving the management of desktops to the data center, can reduce hundreds of desktop environments to one that’s under lock and key, while giving the user the illusion that he still has a fat client. Or a server can hold multiple desktop images, each tailored to a specific user’s work based on profiles stored in a directory.
When the user needs them, those applications — and sometimes complete operating environments — can be "streamed" over the network to the desktop, where they execute locally, without the server and communications overhead that comes from traditional client/server or thin-client computing. Some products allow the streaming of just those pieces of software actually needed for that session — perhaps just 20% of an application’s code — minimizing the demand for bandwidth, memory and disk."
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=282928&pageNumber=1
This is an extremely interesting article - also gives a brief view of how client computing has changed over the years.
Buy it. Install it. Forget it.
Heres a very interesting post on how a school district (group of 7 schools) moved from a Windows desktop based environment - to a Linux thin clients based environment and in the process saving money for the schools.
http://searchopensource.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid39_gci1245710,00.html
As more and more people are gradually realising - Virtualising the clients, doesn't just save money for organisations - but also mean a lot less hassles in maintainance and management.
Buy it. Install it. Forget it.
That’s what virtualization enables at the client side !!
http://searchopensource.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid39_gci1245710,00.html
As more and more people are gradually realising - Virtualising the clients, doesn't just save money for organisations - but also mean a lot less hassles in maintainance and management.
Buy it. Install it. Forget it.
That’s what virtualization enables at the client side !!
Saving the bucks through virtualization
Heres a small blog post speculating : "Can Virtualization save you money ?"
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=347&tag=nl.e019
The article talks about virtualization in its entirety (storage virtualization, server virtualization and client virtualization) - and the key areas where it helps in saving money for customers.
Can be a small elevator pitch for you.
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/window-on-windows/?p=347&tag=nl.e019
The article talks about virtualization in its entirety (storage virtualization, server virtualization and client virtualization) - and the key areas where it helps in saving money for customers.
Can be a small elevator pitch for you.
Friday, February 16, 2007
The Future of Computing ?
Here is a very interesting article on the "Future of Computing".
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/02/marc_cuban_on_t.html
It resonates with an increasingly unanimous thought that PC architecture is breaking up to two streams : "game consoles for heavy duty apps that need processing power and the remaining casual apps, email, internet browsing, etc, will be done via internet-VM thin clients — sans dedicated OS"
The article ends by asking two searching questions :
- Which is a better development platform for app developers of the future, Vista or a Google Virtual Machine ?
- Which is a better consumer platform, using any low end PC to run all your non-multimedia apps, or worrying about upgrading to Vista ? Buying the latest Office apps or running them for free online ?
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/02/marc_cuban_on_t.html
It resonates with an increasingly unanimous thought that PC architecture is breaking up to two streams : "game consoles for heavy duty apps that need processing power and the remaining casual apps, email, internet browsing, etc, will be done via internet-VM thin clients — sans dedicated OS"
The article ends by asking two searching questions :
- Which is a better development platform for app developers of the future, Vista or a Google Virtual Machine ?
- Which is a better consumer platform, using any low end PC to run all your non-multimedia apps, or worrying about upgrading to Vista ? Buying the latest Office apps or running them for free online ?
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Who will win the slugfest ?
Heres an interesting slugfest : "Linux vs Vista" - on the grounds of security.
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/Kw3aVhQQWaCL4R/Linux-vs-Vista-How-Does-Security-Stack-Up.xhtml
While there are many +ves and -ves, the really interesting bit is towards the end, to quote from the article :
"Using thin clients with on-demand applications delivered over the Internet are now mainstream in the corporate world, Steinberg emphasized. Some software developers argue that new technologies are making moot the question of whether Windows Vista and XP platforms can be made more secure. Similarly, it should not be an issue if Linux desktop has exploitable weaknesses."
"Small businesses through large enterprise configurations can use virtualization to run Xen, VMWare and Windows Server installations. Virtualization technology moves the operating system to a centrally-managed location. It mimics behavior on the local machine, but the operating system is not there, said Heyman"
What they are actually saying is : When O/S itself becomes irrelevant, does it matter who wins the slugfest ?
http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/Kw3aVhQQWaCL4R/Linux-vs-Vista-How-Does-Security-Stack-Up.xhtml
While there are many +ves and -ves, the really interesting bit is towards the end, to quote from the article :
"Using thin clients with on-demand applications delivered over the Internet are now mainstream in the corporate world, Steinberg emphasized. Some software developers argue that new technologies are making moot the question of whether Windows Vista and XP platforms can be made more secure. Similarly, it should not be an issue if Linux desktop has exploitable weaknesses."
"Small businesses through large enterprise configurations can use virtualization to run Xen, VMWare and Windows Server installations. Virtualization technology moves the operating system to a centrally-managed location. It mimics behavior on the local machine, but the operating system is not there, said Heyman"
What they are actually saying is : When O/S itself becomes irrelevant, does it matter who wins the slugfest ?
The times they are a-changin
As Bob Dylan sang, "The times they are a-changin…."
The PC as we know it is fast evolving - thanks to new technologies like Web 2.0 and SaaS. What its turning to now is a simplified access device. Everything that the PC originally gave - like computing power, storage, applications is now slowly moving out to the internet.
An interesting offering that highlights this change is offered by a company called : www.mojopac.com
As detailed in their website :
"Mojopac is a technology that transforms your iPod or USB Hard Drive or Flash drive into a portable and private PC. Just install MojoPac on any USB 2.0 complaint storage device, upload your applications and files, modify your user settings and environment preferences, and take it with you everywhere. Every time you plug your MojoPac-enabled device into any Windows XP PC , MojoPac automatically launches your environment on the host PC. Your communications, music, games, applications, and files are all local and accessible. And when you unplug the MojoPac device, no trace is left behind – your information is not cached on the host PC"
For those of you who are interested, they also offer a free 30 day trial download - check it out.
The PC as we know it is fast evolving - thanks to new technologies like Web 2.0 and SaaS. What its turning to now is a simplified access device. Everything that the PC originally gave - like computing power, storage, applications is now slowly moving out to the internet.
An interesting offering that highlights this change is offered by a company called : www.mojopac.com
As detailed in their website :
"Mojopac is a technology that transforms your iPod or USB Hard Drive or Flash drive into a portable and private PC. Just install MojoPac on any USB 2.0 complaint storage device, upload your applications and files, modify your user settings and environment preferences, and take it with you everywhere. Every time you plug your MojoPac-enabled device into any Windows XP PC , MojoPac automatically launches your environment on the host PC. Your communications, music, games, applications, and files are all local and accessible. And when you unplug the MojoPac device, no trace is left behind – your information is not cached on the host PC"
For those of you who are interested, they also offer a free 30 day trial download - check it out.
Bye Bye Desktop Apps ?
One of the key implications for a virtual world is that, software and applications - that previously used to reside on the desktop are now moving to the internet - as either a free (like Googles "Writely" - now called "Google documents and spreadsheets") or as a pay-per-use (like in the SaaS model) arrangement.
Is this just a fad ? One of the strongest proof points that this is here to stay is when Microsoft - the company wedded to desktop applications - starts testing out the pay per use model as well.
Check out the below link.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=228&tag=nl.e622
Is this just a fad ? One of the strongest proof points that this is here to stay is when Microsoft - the company wedded to desktop applications - starts testing out the pay per use model as well.
Check out the below link.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=228&tag=nl.e622
The tide is turning back
The tide is turning back.
Mainframes & dumb terminals
Changed to
Minicomputers & distributed computing (PCs)
Which is now changing again to
Thin clients & Server based computing
Heres an interesting article detailing why the tide is changing again…..
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117011971274291861-fDPQsTb08fKyt27rmuCNIbWnGD0_20070228.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top
Are you moving with the tide ?
Mainframes & dumb terminals
Changed to
Minicomputers & distributed computing (PCs)
Which is now changing again to
Thin clients & Server based computing
Heres an interesting article detailing why the tide is changing again…..
http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB117011971274291861-fDPQsTb08fKyt27rmuCNIbWnGD0_20070228.html?mod=tff_main_tff_top
Are you moving with the tide ?
Thin Clients + Webcams ?
Heres an interesting sound byte from the internet : "Software Now Connects Webcams to Thin Clients".
http://www.dabcc.com/article.aspx?id=3512
The point is : More than 95% of the things that can be done on a PC - can be done on a thin client as well.
http://www.dabcc.com/article.aspx?id=3512
The point is : More than 95% of the things that can be done on a PC - can be done on a thin client as well.
5 reasons to take a fresh look at thin clients
Yes, thin clients per se have been around for a long time now. However, the reason they did not take off previously was due to the limitations that they earlier had in terms of multiple applications working parallely on a single server often having application conflicts. That is history now.
Technology today, in terms of virtualization has scaled well above these earllier legacy issues.
Attached below is a very interesting and insightful article on, "5 reasons thin clients deserve a fresh look".
http://www.fcw.com/article97382-01-22-07-Print
Technology today, in terms of virtualization has scaled well above these earllier legacy issues.
Attached below is a very interesting and insightful article on, "5 reasons thin clients deserve a fresh look".
http://www.fcw.com/article97382-01-22-07-Print
Everything is moving to the clouds
The line between big desktop applications (like MS Word) and online applications (like Googles Writely) is fast becoming blurred as more and more applications are now available as web based applications. Even Microsoft, the company most wedded to desktop applications has now forayed into Web software with Windows Live and Office Live—collections of e-mail, instant messaging, and Web publishing apps.
One such interesting roll-out is from a organisation called Tabblo.com….check out the link below…
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/01/16/04OPreality_1.html
What we are witnessing, is a trend, where - soon, we will move everything to the cloud (internet), including compute cycles and data storage. http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196600894
The implication for IT marketers is clearly that - if everything finds its home in the cloud, the device you use to access it becomes totally irrelevant. No wonder then, that thin clients have found a fresh lease of life again.
One such interesting roll-out is from a organisation called Tabblo.com….check out the link below…
http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/01/16/04OPreality_1.html
What we are witnessing, is a trend, where - soon, we will move everything to the cloud (internet), including compute cycles and data storage. http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196600894
The implication for IT marketers is clearly that - if everything finds its home in the cloud, the device you use to access it becomes totally irrelevant. No wonder then, that thin clients have found a fresh lease of life again.
Thin Clients for Emerging markets ?
Heres a sound byte from the media - that’s increasingly voicing a single opinion : "Centralized computing is emerging as THE solution for an emerging country like India".
"The Indian market may also finally provide an outlet for the so-called thin client ……."
Read on…….
http://www.pcbladecomputing.com/centralized-computing-in-indias-emerging-market/
"The Indian market may also finally provide an outlet for the so-called thin client ……."
Read on…….
http://www.pcbladecomputing.com/centralized-computing-in-indias-emerging-market/
Opening a new VISTA for thin clients
Perhaps one of the biggest reasons giving a boost to customer adoption of thin clients is the imminent arrival of Microsoft VISTA operating system.
With VISTA, the base requirement for hardware suddenly shoots up to mammoth proportions - leaving organisations with the prospect that for all their people - from front desk operators to people doing pure office productivity jobs (read Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Mail) - they have to move from the standard 256MB configurations on the PC to possibly 1GB or higher configurations.
Clearly - "One size does not fit all" - is a lesson that VISTA is inadvertently teaching IT managers. A search for alternative PC architectures is hence leading customers to Client virtualization and thin clients.
Below article talks about an offering from a company (called 2X) that helps in beating the "VISTA bloat".
http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?newsID=7765&pagtype=all
With VISTA, the base requirement for hardware suddenly shoots up to mammoth proportions - leaving organisations with the prospect that for all their people - from front desk operators to people doing pure office productivity jobs (read Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Mail) - they have to move from the standard 256MB configurations on the PC to possibly 1GB or higher configurations.
Clearly - "One size does not fit all" - is a lesson that VISTA is inadvertently teaching IT managers. A search for alternative PC architectures is hence leading customers to Client virtualization and thin clients.
Below article talks about an offering from a company (called 2X) that helps in beating the "VISTA bloat".
http://www.techworld.com/opsys/news/index.cfm?newsID=7765&pagtype=all
Have thin clients arrived...atlast ?
Heres another interesting article speculating "Have thin clients finally arrived ?"
Thin client as a concept has been around for ages, but as the artcle says : " Thin clients -- could start selling because of server consolidation, concerns about security and the high cost of enterprise hardware upgrades to support the adoption of the Microsoft Vista operating system"
Interesting point of view…go through…..
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=21531
Thin client as a concept has been around for ages, but as the artcle says : " Thin clients -- could start selling because of server consolidation, concerns about security and the high cost of enterprise hardware upgrades to support the adoption of the Microsoft Vista operating system"
Interesting point of view…go through…..
http://www.echannelline.com/usa/story.cfm?item=21531
The big trends for 2007
An interesting article on "The big trends for 2007".
http://www.techworld.com/opsys/features/index.cfm?featureID=3060&pagtype=samecatsamechan
This is what it says about virtualization : "It's a rapidly maturing technology, and the number of vendors interested in and selling desktop virtualisation systems is growing. This implies that the much-touted move towards thin clients could be driven not by terminal services technology but by virtualisation"
http://www.techworld.com/opsys/features/index.cfm?featureID=3060&pagtype=samecatsamechan
This is what it says about virtualization : "It's a rapidly maturing technology, and the number of vendors interested in and selling desktop virtualisation systems is growing. This implies that the much-touted move towards thin clients could be driven not by terminal services technology but by virtualisation"
Stay Out Of Jail : Buy Thin Clients
One of the factors driving client virtualization today is the increased & heightened focus on client data security. In a lot of industries like Banking, Insurance and Healthcare - worldwide - there are now legislations in place which organisations need to strictly follow to ensure data security.
IT managers are personally being held responsible for data leaks and for ensuring a secure environment. Below is an interesting article on how IT managers worldwide are discovering that "Going for Thin Clients, is the safest bet to stay out of jail"…..no typo mistake here….read on……
http://www.thinplanet.com/opinion/sarbanes-oxley.asp
IT managers are personally being held responsible for data leaks and for ensuring a secure environment. Below is an interesting article on how IT managers worldwide are discovering that "Going for Thin Clients, is the safest bet to stay out of jail"…..no typo mistake here….read on……
http://www.thinplanet.com/opinion/sarbanes-oxley.asp
The Changing PC architecture
Unlike Intel & AMD, who are the big daddies of the current PC architectures, when it comes to embedded devices, VIA has a very big head start over other players. AMD ofcourse is fast catching up. VIA today has 50% market share in what they term as "Connected Clients"….these are not just thin clients, but also include Ultra-mobile PCs, Diskless PCs and Mobile Clients.
As defined by them, Connected Clients are computing devices designed to leverage the infrastructure and security benefits of server-based "software as a service" architecture to enable effective application execution and office productivity without the need of legacy PC technologies such as hard drives.
The below link talks about VIAs perspective of how this market is exploding - it also has a link to an interesting IDC whitepaper called "The new Enterprise reality". Do take time to go through and understand the emerging landscape……..
http://press-releases.techwhack.com/6274/via-with-50-market-share/
As defined by them, Connected Clients are computing devices designed to leverage the infrastructure and security benefits of server-based "software as a service" architecture to enable effective application execution and office productivity without the need of legacy PC technologies such as hard drives.
The below link talks about VIAs perspective of how this market is exploding - it also has a link to an interesting IDC whitepaper called "The new Enterprise reality". Do take time to go through and understand the emerging landscape……..
http://press-releases.techwhack.com/6274/via-with-50-market-share/
Thin Clients : saving us from "convenience" technologies
One of the smartest inventions in IT was perhaps the USB Thumb drive. The convienience that it offered was unmatched - and coupled with the fact that it is today available upto 8GB, its taken data mobility to new levels !!
The other side of the story however is that today - Thumb drives are too often the victims of convenience - and have become the biggest security nightmares. How does a customer marry the convienience this technology provides with the security imperatives ?
Increasingly there is one technology that is emerging as a saviour….thin clients. Read on………
http://www.fcw.com/article97113-12-18-06-Print
The other side of the story however is that today - Thumb drives are too often the victims of convenience - and have become the biggest security nightmares. How does a customer marry the convienience this technology provides with the security imperatives ?
Increasingly there is one technology that is emerging as a saviour….thin clients. Read on………
http://www.fcw.com/article97113-12-18-06-Print
Dial CV for Health
One of the segments that is facing an acute necesity for Client Virtualisation is hospitals & clinics - where sensitivity to patient information has gone very high, also necessiating legislations lile HIPPA in the U.S.
This segment is increasingly realising that the only technology solution that can answer all their security needs is - Client Virtualization.
Below opinion of a professional addressing this segment, resonates the same thinking.
http://www.healthcareguy.com/index.php/archives/337
This segment is increasingly realising that the only technology solution that can answer all their security needs is - Client Virtualization.
Below opinion of a professional addressing this segment, resonates the same thinking.
http://www.healthcareguy.com/index.php/archives/337
A little more SaaS
Since the last article on SaaS - quite a few of you have asked for more information on the same.
Rightly so, since SaaS as a trend has the potential to change the way people buy software and hardware totally, going ahead.
To quote from this article : "The concept isn’t new. Even before computers, it was common enough — it is like the shift that happened from actually owning a cow to getting milk delivered in packets. Having your own data center with all the necessary software installed is the IT-equivalent of owning a cow. SaaS allows businesses to subscribe to the service without having to own the product."
The below article gives you a good enough background to discuss this in length with the next CEO you meet up, while trying to sell Virtualization.
http://www.cio.in/features/viewArticle/ARTICLEID=2465
Rightly so, since SaaS as a trend has the potential to change the way people buy software and hardware totally, going ahead.
To quote from this article : "The concept isn’t new. Even before computers, it was common enough — it is like the shift that happened from actually owning a cow to getting milk delivered in packets. Having your own data center with all the necessary software installed is the IT-equivalent of owning a cow. SaaS allows businesses to subscribe to the service without having to own the product."
The below article gives you a good enough background to discuss this in length with the next CEO you meet up, while trying to sell Virtualization.
http://www.cio.in/features/viewArticle/ARTICLEID=2465
That old thing called "thin clients"
One of the questions that customers raise, when we speak "Thin Clients" is that the thin client concept has actually been around for quite a long time now. So, is this a fad or is there a larger story to this ?
The below article speculates on the same - and gives a perspective on this issue.
http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/nethub/article.php/3649031
Bottom line, and lesson for all of us really is that - we should not even be mentioning the term "thin clients" anymore, since the thin client is only one small component of a larger "Client Virtualization" story.
The below article speculates on the same - and gives a perspective on this issue.
http://www.enterprisenetworkingplanet.com/nethub/article.php/3649031
Bottom line, and lesson for all of us really is that - we should not even be mentioning the term "thin clients" anymore, since the thin client is only one small component of a larger "Client Virtualization" story.
The fresh breath of SaaS
We spoke earlier about Web2.0 and how it is a trend fuelling thin client growth in a very big way.
Another compelling proposition that has surfaced - and will again be a major reason for thin client adoption is what is called as SaaS (Software as a Service)….which is basically a "pay as you go" or "pay per use" model that is gaining increasing ground - not only in Enterprise, but more so in small organisations.
To quote, "Due to the nature of SaaS, customers can use the software with thin client technology. This means that software no longer needs to be installed on PCs, which significantly cuts down on IT involvement. For the most part, customers do not have to worry about hardware, database support, scalability, uptime, reliability, or platforms"
For those of you humming….kyunki SaaS be kabhi ASP (Application service provider) thi….the same link below also has a write-up on how they differ.
SaaS Advantages - The Customers Perspective
By Mike Jalonen [ThinkLogic](Mike Jalonen [ThinkLogic])
Another compelling proposition that has surfaced - and will again be a major reason for thin client adoption is what is called as SaaS (Software as a Service)….which is basically a "pay as you go" or "pay per use" model that is gaining increasing ground - not only in Enterprise, but more so in small organisations.
To quote, "Due to the nature of SaaS, customers can use the software with thin client technology. This means that software no longer needs to be installed on PCs, which significantly cuts down on IT involvement. For the most part, customers do not have to worry about hardware, database support, scalability, uptime, reliability, or platforms"
For those of you humming….kyunki SaaS be kabhi ASP (Application service provider) thi….the same link below also has a write-up on how they differ.
SaaS Advantages - The Customers Perspective
By Mike Jalonen [ThinkLogic](Mike Jalonen [ThinkLogic])
Different folks, different strokes
Here are two interesting stories about two very different customers…a bank and a Fitness center…..going in for client virtualisation.
http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/EDGE/News.asp?id=36994
The insight here is……no matter who the customer is - there is scope for selling atleast a few thin clients to some part of his organisation. One size never fits all……giving a powerful dual-core processor based desktop to both the CEO and the data entry operator is increasingly being viewed as funny logic.
http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/EDGE/News.asp?id=36994
The insight here is……no matter who the customer is - there is scope for selling atleast a few thin clients to some part of his organisation. One size never fits all……giving a powerful dual-core processor based desktop to both the CEO and the data entry operator is increasingly being viewed as funny logic.
Virtualization+Education+Linux ?
Virtualisation throws up many exciting and cost effective options for schools and colleges.
One powerful combustible option is : when Education, Linux and Virtualisation come together.
Attached is a detailed article highlighting how Linux and Free Open Source Software can help K-12 institutions stretch their budgetary allowances through virtualisation.
Education and Linux go together
http://www.samag.com/documents/s=10108/sam0701a/0701a.htm
One powerful combustible option is : when Education, Linux and Virtualisation come together.
Attached is a detailed article highlighting how Linux and Free Open Source Software can help K-12 institutions stretch their budgetary allowances through virtualisation.
Education and Linux go together
http://www.samag.com/documents/s=10108/sam0701a/0701a.htm
More players coming in
A sign of the times when more and more unbranded and local players - are now "discovering" thin clients.
Apurva Computer embarks on distribution path <http://www.dqchannels.com/content/reselleralert/106112404.asp>
DQ Channels - Bangalore,India
In the coming days - with virtualization taking off - we are sure to see more and more such players emerging from the shadows.
Apurva Computer embarks on distribution path <http://www.dqchannels.com/content/reselleralert/106112404.asp>
DQ Channels - Bangalore,India
In the coming days - with virtualization taking off - we are sure to see more and more such players emerging from the shadows.
Make way for Web 2.0
One of the hot new trends that is expected to fuel virtualisation and thin client growth in a very big way is what has come to be referred to as Web 2.0.
Read up on what this is all about.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0
Read up on what this is all about.....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Web_2.0
Virtualize your desktops NOW !!
Desktop virtualization's time is right, says HP <http://searchservervirtualization.techtarget.com/originalContent/0,289142,sid94_gci1231695,00.html>
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