Jun (06-05) - Clients, thin only please

June, 2005 Editorial

In the continuing saga of IBM 4247's, this latest news: IBM has apparently caught up with their order backlog (since August '04) and has "re-announced" the product line. The product isn't so hot to begin with, but the users typically follow the safest path, which is the IBM product. Not that there are many other alternatives for desktop impact printers anyway. I still hold fast to my recommendation of the 4230 conversion kits. But that's what you'd expect me to say.

They have also "pre-announced" a replacement product for their existing 4400 series thermal printers. Their new line will offer built in RFID functionality, and other enhancements. I expect some announcements of newer monochrome and color laser printers as well.

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This month I'd like to revisit the Thin Client market. For all those who don't yet understand the vast improvements this brings to your users, this is likely to be a pleasant surprise. Over the last several years, standards have emerged in the client/PC market which are increasingly making the Personal Computer overkill for most corporate applications. The concept of a PC-like appliance may be the easiest to comprehend. All the functional attributes of a conventional PC may end up becoming their weakest point(s). So many updates, changes, tweaks, patches, viruses, etc. Its a small wonder that more users haven't moved to the newer model of infrastructure.

Several companies have attempted to enter the market and some have failed. Others are also-rans, as price drives their sales. The real winners are those with a proprietary advantage. I favor two here, but there are others with attributes you may find more useful. I like ComputerLab International and I-O Corporation. Why? Because of the maturity of their product lines and their die-hard support of the dealer community. The benefits of these commitments are palpable. The products are continually improving, and they listen to the dealer community for advice and improvements. In the long run, a supportable, dependable installation depends on a reliable and consistent manufacturer. Both are excellent. One more thing bears mention: They both offer a novel and awesome product that will allow replacement of "dumb" terminals with an ethernet version without all the overhead of a thin-client or a PC. You turn it on and it boots to a terminal session. Simple, easy, perfect.

Additionally, there are the older "hybrid" products like the IBM 3488 and 3483. Terminal logic bases with non-proprietary monitors.

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Both IBM and Lexmark have continued to refresh their laser printer offerings, providing ever more features and speeds for the same or less money. Not that it's any big surprise, but the money is in the toners. Beware of what you wish for, though. The machines aren't made quite as well and the toners are more expensive. I recommend the older ones, but who can stop the forward march of change? I wrote last month about reducing total cost, and there are those that understand and implement it. I can only make a strong case. The rest is up to you.

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In additional to the many other changes, IBM has closed its refurbishing facility for large print engines in Endicott. That should mean more business trickling down to the third party market, but so far we haven't noticed any significant up tick.

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IDG has some awesome enhancements coming based on their wildly successful 9074 product line. If you are in the market for a 3174 replacement, don't let marketing be your guide. Find out the facts about these products.

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