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

2. 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

3. 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 1996-1998: 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

4. 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 $$$

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Discussion Experiences, advice and cautionary tales welcome !