Thin Client - New Technology Deflection Point

Presented to: LITWG of Washington State

Everett Public Library

January 10, 2002

Presented by:Dr. Chong Lee

Veicon Technology, Inc

Beaverton, OR

Copyright 1997-2001 © Veicon Technology, Inc. All rights reserved.

What is a Smart Terminal™?

• A computing model where applications are running on a server, while a desktop device is a simple display unit with keyboard and pointing device

• Also referred to as “server-based computing” or “client/server model”

• Similar to old day’s time-sharing except the desktop device is a full graphics unit

Client Types

• Thin client (i.e. terminals with no local hard disk)• Thick (fat) client (i.e. PCs or converted PCs)

Client Examples

• X Window terminals for UNIX• MS Windows terminals for Microsoft NT or 2000

Smart Terminal Hardware Vendors

• Wyse Technology• IBM• NCD• Boundless• others

Server HW Platform Vendors

• Compaq• Dell• HP• IBM• Intel• Sun Microsystems• others

Platform Software Vendors

• For Windows terminals– Microsoft, Citrix

• For Linux thin client– Linux software vendors, i.e. RedHat

A Brief History

• Mid 90s: X Windows terminals for UNIX did not take off, as UNIX growth has slowed down

• 1996: Introduction of MS Windows-based terminals• Late 90s: Microsoft partnership with Citrix fueled the

growth of the Windows terminal market

Smart Terminal Advantages

• Centralized computer resource management, resulting in lower support and ongoing maintenance cost

• High system and network security• High system availability (uptime)• Longer product life cycle• Energy saving• Space saving

Smart Terminal Disadvantages

• Dependency on the server (single point failure)• High level technical expertise required

Solutions for Disadvantages

• Back up servers and redundancy– i.e. “fail over”

• Commercial solution– i.e. Veicon, eliminating the need for in-house

development and maintenance

Why did thin client technology not take off in libraries?• PC-based solution is quick and easy to grow• Uncertainty and lack of experience with the new

technology• Lack of budgetary information• Unavailable, qualified IT person• Lack of certain solutions with the early thin client

features, i.e. floppy disk option

Smart Terminal vs. PC

• MTBF (Mean Time Between Failure) – thin client: 98,000 hours – PC: 20,000 hours

System Price Comparison: Smart Terminal (ST) vs. PC• Capital vs. non-capital cost

– Ratio: 1:2

• Capital cost: ST with Server vs. PC– Ratio: 1:1

• Non-capital cost: ST vs. PC– Ratio: 1: 3

• Overall TCO (Total Cost of Ownership): ST vs. PC– 60% - 70% savings with TC solution

Capital Cost vs. Non-Capital Cost

• Capital cost: Equipment• Non-capital cost: installation, moves and changes,

staff training, security, applications, systems/network management, technical support, and on-going maintenance

Smart Terminal Solution:

About

• First commercially available thin client “integrated” solution for libraries– Proven for 3 years since 1999

• Patented with 29 claims (US Patent: 5,958,007; other patents pending)

Key Features

• Patron Internet access• Full range of e-mail clients including AOL,

CompuServe, Outlook Express, Eudora, Pegasus, and Telnet– POP3 & IMAP4

• Choice of web browsers, IE and Netscape• MS Office Tools

Key Features (continued)

• Multi-level Security– Privacy, System and Network

• Virus protection filter • Website filter• VTM (Veicon Time Manager)• Printer support: Local and Network• Magnetic Stripe Reader (MSR) option

Expansion of Solution

• Dual function: OPAC/Internet stations• New release on its way: V3.0• Modal browser• Web filtering and virus protection server (for all

desktops - PCs and thin clients)• Advance Time Manager• Cost recovery print management

Financial Options

• Fee based “service” model– A library buys terminals with ongoing service and support, including

server access• Server consignment (no charge) for 20+ terminals

• Bundled solution purchase option

• American Express Leasing Partnership for special

municipal lease agreement

Server vs. Terminals

Number of Terminals Server Option

Note: Minimum bandwidth 256K DSL

<3 Off Site4 - 10 Small Onsite Server11 - 30 Standard Onsite Server

31+ Large Onsite Server

Benefits of

• In-house R&D for thin client no longer needed• Proven solution over 3+ years• Financial information available for budget process• Overall cost saving, 60% - 70% TCO• Available NOW

Technology Deflection Points (over 50 years of computing history)

• Existing technology trend slows down, while a new technology trend accelerates– Mainframe to Mini– Mini to PC– PC to “thin client computing” driven by broadband Internet

(wired or wireless) and high speed servers

Summary

Cost per Station over 3 years

Capital

Non-Capital

PCDesktop& S/W

Smart TerminalServerV-Link

X$

3X$

Buy vs. Build

File system Mgr

Time Mgr

Client Opt & Config

Veicon Patented8 man-years

Basic Thin-Client

•Proven, Turnkey•Security, Training•Low maintenance•Auto-updates•Low I.T. support

Integrated user I/F

On Location