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Desktop Systems, Thin Client Systems, Desktop Virtualization |
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Businesses today have a growing number of options for providing users with a Windows Desktop* system, including:
- The traditional networked PC or laptop
Networked PCs and laptops are still the most common way businesses provide users with a Windows desktop. However, they have some major operational limitations in business environments and present enterprises with a number of difficult problems. They are also the most expensive desktop solution to own.
- Thin Client Systems
Thin Client Systems based on MS Terminal Services (or Citrix XenApp) are proven, reliable methods of providing users with a Windows desktop. This solution overcomes most of the operational problems of PCs (and laptops) and is the least expensive solution to own but, it also has some limitations.
- Desktop Virtualization
This desktop solution is relatively new and unproven but many feel that it may be the way of the future. It is basically another variant of Thin Client but requires more resources and is more expensive to implement than Thin Client Systems based on Terminal Services or XenApp.
Its advantage is that, as well as solving most of the operational problems associated with PCs, it also eliminates some of the limitations of Thin Client Systems based on Terminal Services.
*Note: By the term 'Windows Desktop' we are referring to the MS Windows screen and application icons that are presented to a user when they turn on their computer or Winterm. We are not referring to a physical PC.
The Desktop Solution that you decide to implement has far reaching ramifications for your business. It determines:
- the level of costs the business will incur supporting the desktops over their lifetime
- the security risks that will have to be addressed to keep the user's desktop secure and the business data protected
- where and how your business data is stored and protected
- the availability to others in the business of the business data created by users
- the ability to work in remote locations and away from the office
- the ability to manage the desktops
- the costs of updating and upgrading the desktops
- the costs of rolling out new applications to users
The 'Desktop Solution' adopted by the majority of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is to install unmanaged networked PC's and laptops, usually with OEM versions of MS software. This is the easiest solution to implement, but it sets the business up for high support and maintenance costs, imposes limits on where users can work and often results in business data being spread all around the enterprise and exposed to unacceptable risks.
There are better solutions - solutions that will reduce your costs, are much more secure, provide more reliability and give your business greater operational flexibility.
Kadec provides the full range of Desktop Solutions
Desktop solutions are a key element of Kadec's integrated set of IT Infrastructure solutions and we can provide a desktop solution to meet any requirement of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). Our solutions include:
- PCs and Laptops supported by Desktop Management Tools
- Thin Client Systems based on MS Terminal Services and Citrix XenApp
- Desktop Virtualization systems based on Citrix Virtual Desktop
Kadec can assist you to decide which desktop solution (or solutions) is right for your business and can then help you to maximize the benefits of the solution to your business.
Smartphones, PDAs and Netbooks
A growing number of business users are looking at devices like PDAs, Netbooks, Blackberrys, iPhones and other Smartphones to enhance their ability to be productive when away from the office.
Using these devices users can get their email, contacts and calendars updated while out of the office.
Some devices, particularly those with larger displays like the iPhone, can run a full thin client in a Citrix XenApp environment. This can give the users secure access to their full Windows desktop. For some users, this may cover almost all of their business needs.
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