Developing a Network Computing Strategy: A Blueprint for Matching Solutions to Business Needs

Network-centric computing represents a new model for corporate IT, one which challenges established infrastructure and service delivery practice. This report, based on research among actual adopters of Network Computing, presents a roadmap for companies wishing to exploit its potential. Each step is illustrated by examples and key case studies, and each chapter is supported by practical guidelines and identifies the critical success factors.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Introduction: stakeholders as winners; where network computing is going; future computing - the commercial imperative. Part 2 Road map to the report: part 1 - what network computing is and where it came from; part 2 - where network computing is now; part 3 - moving to network computing; part 4 - best practice network computing; part 5 - appendix. Part 3 The historical background: the technology trap; the LAN revolution; what is network computing?; the network computer; the Window terminal; Intel's lean client; the NetPC; the fat client; the thin client; the essential network computing model; what the industry says; the network computing vision. Part 4 The management issues: business drivers; ROI and cost of ownership; commodity information - and knowledge; electronic commerce; flexible working; strategic and tactical issues; standards and interoperability; total cost of ownership versus total value of ownership; implementation barriers; who is the manager anyway?; the target users; critical success factors for a successful network computing strategy; practical guidelines. Part 5 The status quo: context and issues; what the analysts say; the Aberdeen Group; Bloor Research; the Gartner Group; International Data Corporation; the Meta Group; Yankee Group; Zona Research; industry practice; critical success factors; practical guidelines - balancing the three-legged stool. Part 6 The arguments for thin client network computing: context and issues; industry practice; critical success factors. Part 7 Practical examples of thin client adoption: context and issues; practical examples of network computing. Part 8 The competition for the thin client: context and issues; industry practice; critical success factors for fat client network computing; practical guidelines for fat client network computing. Part 9 Infrastructure and environmental requirements: context and issues; industry practice; technical architectural initiatives; NCA and Windows; CORBA and COM; OSA; DMTF; ICA; NT5; AS400; critical success factors; practical guidelines. Part 10 Software issues: context and issues; availability; functionality; industry practice; critical success factors for thin client applications software; practical guidelines. Part 11 Network computing implementation strategies: context and issues; mentoring and training; phases implementation; metrics and pilots; critical success factors; practical guidelines and metrics; standardization and configuration; help desk procedures and technology; on-site support; end-user operations. Part 12 Best practice in the face of the issues: context and issues; the potential of network computing; fully exploiting network technology; mobile working; collaboration; people issues; a competitive marketplace; how the industry is using network computing; critical success factors for network computing; a practical network computing strategy; strategic choices; conclusion; appendix.