Having a Corporate Network Without the

 Cost 

Date: 02/01/2010

Author: Scott Reid

Systems Engineer

Digital Business Controls

If you are the owner or manager over an information technology business, most likely, you have multiple locations with multiple computers. Does it seem like you are always fixing your computers for one reason or another? If so, you are not alone. You are part of a growing problem in the world
wide web of Information Technology versus End Users.

For a company, computers are no different than company vehicles. If they are used properly,
maintained, and respected by employees, they can last for years to come. If the vehicle is not maintained, and is taken on joy rides or offroad, the life span of that vehicle will be greatly reduced. The same can be said about computers in the workplace. 

For all companies, computers can work for you or against you. Understanding this balance is a crucial tool in the workplace. If you allow your users to browse anywhere on the internet and/or to install programs, you are inviting spyware and various viruses onto the computer. Although modern day antivirus programs can reduce the amount of spyware or viruses on a computer, they can never fully protect you from an unsafe user. All an end user has to do is click “Yes” to download and harmful software can be installed instantly. This can potentially cripple your computer.

Many companies have taken the unfortunate approach of using a domain controller or an RDP System. With this system, you still have a point of failure that can cripple your system and you will also take up valuable bandwidth. Internet pages consume about 7k of bandwidth per page. Although this amount is small, it adds up pretty quickly when you have hundreds or thousands of end users browsing at one time.

There are several ways to increase the longevity of your computers systems; the most basic being that you need to close all the loopholes in the computer system that would the user to install anything. You have the ability to give your end user limited rights. Although this is a good preventative measure, it does not close up the loopholes on the internet. Do your end users really need a PC to work at remote locations? Most workstations for companies use the internet to
communicate to an online application or small footprint application onto the PC. This is ideal since there is no heavy processing or computing involved. If a PC is not a necessity for you, a thin client system would fit your needs. Some features to look for are:
• Write filter abilities
• Standard user profiles
• The ability to connect from a remote location

These features will give you the ability to load your thin client with the tools needed to complete a job. If the end user damages the thin client to the point that it will not work, the write filter will enable you to simply reboot the machine and revert to the last image created before the damage occurred. You will no longer have to worry about maintaining your thin clients in remote offices.

As the owner or manger over your company, you have the responsibility to ensure that the integrity of your company is top notch. We all rely on computers to provide us with accurate company information, which will then result in customer confidence.

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