The Upgrading Dilemma Art Rhyno Leddy Library, University of Windsor Jan. 21, 1999

Outline n From Centralized to Decentralized Systems, and Back Again ? n Total Cost of Ownership n Silver Bullets ? - the promise and realities of thin clients and network computing n Leasing - can it work and does it save money n Radical Solutions n Some Lessons Learned from the Trenches n Discussion

From Centralized to Decentralized Systems, and Back Again ? n Dropping the Mainframe (but don’t crush the users) n The Dark Side of Client/Server n Thin Clients, Network Computers n Milestones u In 1987, the Gartner Group introduces concept of “Total Cost of Ownership” u : TCO costs gain major media attention: F Individual Yearly TCO cost estimates: Fortune Magazine: $9000, Economist: $6400, New York Times: $13,000, Business Week: $8,000

Total Cost of Ownership n “Up-front PC costs are a fraction of total costs” Library Computer/ Software Software Licensing Fees/ Hardware Replacement Fees Electrical/Physical Infrastructure (Furniture,Hydro,N etwork Costs, etc.) Peripherals (printers, speakers, etc.) & Supplies (paper, backup media, ink cartridges, etc.) End-User Support & Training $$$

Silver Bullets - the promise and realities of thin clients and network computing n The Citrix Solution u 100% server-based u Allows an organization to leverage its existing computing and network infrastructure u Citrix “classic” Winframe offering supplies NT 3.51 environment and attractive concurrent license fee structure u NT 4.0 environment requires Citrix Metaframe with Microsoft Terminal Server and much more expensive per-user license structure

Silver Bullets - the promise and realities of thin clients and network computing n Network Computers u Java Virtual Machine with applications downloaded from server u Midrange hardware requirements on client u Very dependent on the availability of java applications to meet user requirements u Mixed results in the real world. Sun didn’t ship usable product until long after announcement. Citrix approach continues to be far more popular

Silver Bullets - the promise and realities of thin clients and network computing Side by Side: Network Computers & Citrix Stations Key Advantage: Centralized Management

Leasing - can it work and does it save money? “If it appreciates, buy it, if it depreciates, rent (lease) it” - J. Paul Getty III n “pay as you go” rather than “pay to own” n “N -1” leasing arrangements may offer greatest savings n difficult to achieve in an academic environment, public libraries have made far more use of leasing arrangements than universities and colleges n may have greatest value in ensuring budget line for equipment exists, not a lot of evidence to prove it is cheaper than buying equipment directly

Radical Solutions n Refuse to Constantly Upgrade u The Pioneer and the Leapfrog u Hope that nothing breaks in the meantime ! n Choose Linux u The Cathedral and the Bazaar u Requires far less hefty hardware than Windows and sophisticated tools available for network management u Oracle, Informix, and most significantly, Corel have embraced u Open Source software is a good match for libraries, probably not an option for many libraries yet but would offer great alternative if trend continues

Some Lessons Learned from the Trenches Try to make hardware/software upgrades an annual operating expense rather than a periodic “capital crisis” - Robert N. Kavanagh n Multiple solutions may make the most sense: u Tightly manage PC-based staff desktops u Deploy network computers for public access u Use Winframe server to supply access to windows- based applications on public stations n Applications are the key u If most applications can be delivered through a browser, network computers may be option u Windows applications will continue to need some strong hardware on either the desktop or on a remote server

Discussion Experiences, advice and cautionary tales welcome !