Management Toolkit

Custom thin client slashes IT costs

Mike Walton Tech Republic

Published: 09 Oct 2003 16:00 BST

Will this work for you?
This ad hoc thin client solution works well for Nath's company, but as with any significant deviation from standard hardware and software configurations, IT pros need to carefully examine the organisation's individual situation. Many cost-saving measures look good in the short term but fail to produce the expected results once training and additional support costs are factored in.

Another potential problem inherent in Nath's solution is its atypical design. Nath is intimately familiar with the way this network/client relationship is configured and used, and has successfully resolved the numerous challenges presented by this specific combination of hardware and software.

But you'd have to wonder: what happens to the company if Nath leaves?

Also, some of Nath's savings may disappear if his company upgrades to StarOffice 6.0. Sun plans to charge for licences for the newer release. Analysts from Gartner say that the volume-pricing cost may only be $25 to $75 per licence, but that is still significantly less than for the Microsoft Office suite.

Nath said that instead of upgrading StarOffice, he is looking at OpenOffice, another free distribution to get around additional costs for the moment.

If these issues aren't a concern for your organisation, then Nath's suggestion could save your organisation a bundle.

"I hope this inspires others to try this solution as a small pilot project to verify its feasibility and practicality," Nath said. "I'm not saying it will work for everyone, but it is worth checking out."