Many transformation investments revolve around the customer, especially creating new business opportunities and models of engagement. The same level of investment has not occurred around employee-facing systems, an oversight that can seriously impair an organization’s ability to grow and transform.
A recent survey of more than 1,000 by Zensar, a leading digital solutions and technology services company, found that 53 per cent of white-collar and higher-level professionals believe that their organization’s digital transformation priorities are focused on turning a bigger profit rather than empowering employees to work smarter and be more productive. Most surveyed were clear on one thing: that it would benefit their organization to empower employees by increasing their IT investment.
The Zensar survey also found that more than half of the respondents saw a link between their tools and their ability to manage workflow. Forty-two per cent said better tools would speed up tasks and raise morale. Almost as many surveyed said empowering employees via IT would make companies more agile. On having the right digital tools, 76 per cent said it would make them more productive while 53 per cent said it would make them more successful.
Powering the modern workplace
Employees today come in all forms, from punch-the-clock shift workers to office staff to “hired gun” freelance talent and remote workers. Delivering a modern digital workplace, while at the same time helping empower an organization to transform, is not easy. Business and IT decision-makers are tasked with ensuring all types of worker, no matter where they are in the world, are able to work effectively and efficiently.
And so to the big question:
Do you want (or need) to manage a fleet of PCs that need to be regularly maintained?
Businesses are now looking at their employees’ computers as something they can improve on as opposed to something they can live with. Many IT decision-makers interested in transformation at the employee level are looking at “thinner” clients, which provide a win-win: employees get that old familiar experience of being on their own computer while IT gets to control everything from apps to security from a single location.
Leading the way with lean devices
A thin client, A.K.A. a slim or lean client, is a lightweight computer optimized with only a few locally stored applications and is dependent on network resources. Organizations will have many thin clients connected to a central, server-based computing environment where almost all applications, memory, and sensitive data are stored. A zero client, also called an ultrathin client, has absolutely no local storage — neither a local processor nor software.
These so-called “lean devices” offer a number of benefits particularly attractive to an IT team looking to become more efficient and agile:
- Lower hardware costs – With no hard drive or other moving parts, lean devices are generally more durable and offer a longer lifespan than traditional desktops.
- Simplified and more efficient IT management – Lean devices can be managed from a central server, with simple updates being applied on the server and rolled out to all clients; backups, security configurations, and app deployments can also be made on the server side
- Security plus – Lean devices limit direct access to the OS; this largely prevents employees from putting sensitive data at risk or installing malicious software.
- Lower energy consumption – Thin and Zero Clients consume only a small fraction of the power traditional desktops consume, and require little to no cooling.
Coming into 2020, companies must empower all staff, wherever in the world they may be, at all times of the day or night. Keeping everything not just afloat but viable and secure is a tall order indeed, and it’s not surprise so many organizations have started using thin clients and/or zero clients.
Introducing LG Thin and Zero Clients
LG Desktop Thin Clients include all-in-one devices with keyboard and mouse, ultralightweight laptops, and small desktop boxes. Whether a space-saving mini desktop or an All-in-One, LG Thin Clients maximize VDI environments with features and innovation that enhance productivity for all your employees, no matter what they are or where they are. Find out more
LG Desktop Zero Clients do not run a full OS. The device initializes the network, starts up the necessary protocols, and handles the display received by the server. Under the Zero Client system, the server handles most of the processing, leaving the device with an exceptionally light processing load. Find out more
