Connected Client Computing - An Interview with HP's Benjamin Ou

Benjamin Ou, Director Product Marketing of HP in Taiwan, presented in the Connected Client Computing Technology Track on June 8 his knowledge and insights on enterprise computing. Benjamin focused on the maximization of the cost and efficiency benefits of thin clients and VIA conducted an interview with him about the challenges that the industry is facing and how technology could help overcome these.

Q1: What challenges are faced by CIOs today?

Benjamin: In the dynamic and constantly changing environment today, CIO managers are facing more and more challenges than ever:

• Security of Corporate Confidential Data
• Software Security and Virus Control
• Software & Hardware Management
• Effiency Enhancement for Technical Support on clients
• BIOS & Software upgrade for all clients
• Reduction of Total Cost Ownership
• Global IT Operation and Management

Q2: How can technology help to overcome these challenges?

Benjamin: Benjamin: HP is a global leader in thin clients successfully deploying thousands of solutions for businesses. Utilizing HP Thin Client Server Computing environment, CIOs can simplify IT administration and dramatically lower the cost of computing across the enterprise. HP Thin Clients address CIOs' concerns in the following way:

• Enhanced security—Thin clients are inherently more secure than traditional PCs since they operate only while connected to a server. There are no removable media drives or hard drives, unless utilizing optional local storage, which help prevent data theft or loss, and critical information is stored on network storage, ensuring reliable backup and redundancy.
  
  
• Improved efficiency and reliability— Solid-state design with no moving parts offers higher reliability than traditional PCs, resulting in fewer maintenance events and less down time. No moving parts also mean lower audible noise and potentially longer product life expectancy.
  
  
• Lower total cost of ownership (TCO)— With improved overall reliability and industry-standard components, HP thin clients help lower customers' total ownership costs. Lower costs are realized through:
  
  — Power efficiency— Utilizing VIA Processors, HP thin clients consume much less power than typical processors allowing HP to make a small, cool running, high performance thin client. CIOs can realize cost savings with a thin client that uses less than 30 watts of power versus 65 to 220 watts for a desktop PC.
  — Controlled environment— Server-based applications are faster to upgrade and cost effective since IT managers can update servers rather than clients. A thin client IT environment reduces the need for PC staging and hard drive image management.
  —Reduced data/hardware loss or theft— Thin clients are functional primarily when connected to a host server. All data and applications are stored remotely and thin clients only work if connected. Therefore, the data resides on secure network storage and reduces data, hardware, security and virus threats in customers’environment.
  — Lower support costs— No moving parts result in fewer maintenance events and downtime than traditional PCs. Besides, Problem diagnosis can be much simpler on a thin client terminal than on a standard PC, where the variables are greater.
  —Fewer help desk support calls— Centralized server hosted applications allow IT administrators to control and manage efficiently for enhanced reliability.
  
  
• Rapid application deployment— Remote application software allows CIOs to quickly and easily upgrade users to the latest applications by updating the server or blade disk image. Users can be set up and ready to start working within minutes. Software upgrades and changes are also done centrally, not on individual client PCs, so ongoing maintenance and support may be dramatically reduced when compared to standard PC deployment.
  
  
• Better system protection—Since thin clients have no removable media disk drives, users are less likely to introduce new software into the system, which means fewer hardware and software conflicts, fewer configuration issues, and reduced threat of viruses. Thin clients typically connect to application servers for operation, reducing the likelihood of product or data theft. For even more security, customers can add options such as SmartCard readers or biometrics to provide an additional, more sophisticated level of user authentication.
  
  
• Single, comprehensive management software solution— Altiris Deployment Solution from HP allows CIOs to use one tool to manage thin clients, desktops, notebooks, and handhelds. With an enterprise level management solution, CIOs can lower total ownership costs.
  

Q3: What other benefits does this approach to enterprise computing have?

Bemjamin: Apart from the benefits mentioned above, there are a couple of other benefits that HP Thin Client solutions bring as well, including:

• Rapid client deployment— HP thin clients run "out of the box" with a familiar desktop environment, taking just minutes to set up. CIOs can establish a client network easily with automated HP setup and configuration tools and Altiris Deployment Solutions. HP uses industry-standard technologies that keep you from getting locked into a proprietary tool set.
  
  
• Excellent performance— The innovative design of the HP Compaq t5000 Thin Client series includes the high performance processors available for thin clients today with leading price/performance in every class, including features such as an internal amplified speaker, 16 MB graphics memory, IDE flash memory, and an easy-to-remove stand that allows for vertical or horizontal positioning for integration into most environments. The cable-free internal design enhances ease of serviceability and increases reliability. An external power source optimizes the system for a higher frequency CPU, allowing for great performance, and further improved serviceability and reliability—all in a small, simple package about the size of a one-liter bottle.
  
  
• Increased flexibility— Most models now provide optional PCI expansion slots for more options support. USB 2.0 support on some new models also allows for faster data transfer with peripherals