ustry applications of thin-client/server technology:o Customer call centerso Inventory and order informationo Point-of-Sale automationo Information kioskso Human resource managemento Accounting and financial reportingClient/Server systems are oriented towards more independent and high end users of an organization, who require flexibility and more resources. For example, designers, programmers, engineers, financial analysts, data base administrators would be the candidates that require powerful terminals.The summary of the major characteristics of thin client and client/server is:ComputingArchitectureThin - Client ComputingTraditional Client/Server Processing Model100% Server ExecutionLocal ExecutionHardware FootprintThin or FatFatApplication ArchitectureMonolithic, Component or 2- or 3-Tier Client/Server2- or 3-Tier Client/Server Native DeviceVariable or Fixed Function (PC, NPC, NC, WBT)Variable Function (PC)Native Application TypeWindows or JavaWindowsIn Thin Client computing -- where server performance is the key to desktop performance -- choice of hardware can have a dramatic effect on price/performance. As all the processing is done on the server, if the server crashes the clients/terminals will not function at all. Whereas, in the traditional client/server setup, even if the server crashes, the clients/PC's still retain some functionality.Because storage is centralised and data resources are managed at the server end, the IBM Network Station has distinct advantages over traditional PCs in a Movex environment. Software updates need be loaded only once at a central point rather than on every individual client device. In addition, the Network Station's absence of a local disk drive means that it is impossible for users to introduce viruses and extraneous software which could affect the efficient running of a Movex implementation....
