optimising the
efficiency of their IT
systems. Thin client technology
has reduced carbon emissions in Western
Europe by 166,000 tonnes in 2007,
according to the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany. The
researchers found British businesses could save �78m in
electricity bills and slash carbon emissions by 485,000 tonnes a
year by switching from PCs to thin clients.
Server-Based Computing [SBC], which uses thin clients, is a
well-known solution to rising IT costs, security issues and the
increasing complexity of network management � plus its green
credentials are impeccable. Thin clients can cut energy usage by
more than 50% (including the server) and have a longer life span
than regular PCs which means less waste or recycling. While
PCs consume 85 watts on average, thin clients and their server
only use 40 to 50 watts � this a significant factor in reducing
emissions, especially when multiplied by millions.
And finally...
Traditionally the operating system has been the backbone for
client and server computing, but new technologies, new modes of
computing, and infrastructure virtualisation and automation are
changing the role of the OS. The local desktop OS is dead. Long
live the virtual desktop OS.
about offering a
hosting service delivered to
customers. This is then centrally
maintained which is a much more flexible,
secure and cost-efficient model.
This service-led approach then evolves onto the next stage �
companies don't want the aggravation of maintaining a server
room and the associated admin people � so we'll see them move
the server capacity to the cloud and migrate to a leased rental
model. As such it falls under a SAAS (Software-as-a-Service)
system, or even a new acronym as it includes the delivery
method, CAAS � `Cloud-as-a-Service'.
Different companies will deliver their services to the cloud �
and customers will pick and choose the services they require
from the cloud. It will become as easy and ubiquitous as, for
example, receiving television programs anywhere you choose.
Companies that are going to succeed at this will offer flexibility
� this is critical in a pay-per-app or desktop service.
We've already seen the start of this, with the emergence of
cloud models from the likes of Amazon, Google and Microsoft.
Competition is set to increase as new ideas for cloud computing
follow in the coming years making access to applications and
desktops even easier.
Thin clients � helping companies meet CO2
reduction targets
Virtualisation and thin client computing is not all about
financial benefits. With the Climate Change Bill, Gordon Brown
has committed the UK to legally binding targets: Greenhouse
gas emission reductions of at least 80% by 2050, and reductions
in CO2 emissions of at least 26% by 2020. One way for
organisations to meet these aggressive targets is through
ITadviser Winter 2009 9
virtualisation
Desktop
n The author
Nikolaos
Makris,
CEO, 2X
Software

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