Gulf companies achieve TCO with Sun's thin client approach

Recently the company turned to systems integrator IFFCOTech for a technology solution that would enable it to implement a secured access desktop solution with low total cost of ownership. After a short proof-of-concept test, IFFCOTech implemented a solution based on Sun Microsystems' Sun Ray Thin Client appliances.

IFFCOTech has had a series of successes with the Sun Ray Thin Client solutions - the company also recently implemented Sun Ray systems to Gulf Eternit, part of the Future Pipe group, and Gerab National Enterprises, the largest stockist & distributor of Pipes, Fittings, Flanges, Valves & accessories in the Middle East.

Sun Ray™ appliances are zero administration; ultra-thin clients that process only keyboard input and screen output, leaving all of the application processing and storage to the server. The user is greeted with a rich, simple experience, while the administrator is rewarded with a centrally managed and reliable environment. Sun Rays differ radically from traditional thin clients that require an embedded operating system, as they do not require any local OS at all, providing customers with a desktop platform that's easier to manage and very secure. Whilst other thin clients can be easier to manage than PCs, they still require significant maintenance.

'All three of these customers were looking for a secure solution that delivered excellent total cost of ownership, and the minimal administration and maintenance required by these machines meant that the Sun Ray solution was ideal. Customers who have desktops in operational fields such as factories or construction sites prefer to minimize the chance of having to send an IT helpdesk person out into the field, so the fact that these machines are centrally managed and have few moving parts that could potentially break is a large plus for companies without a large IT administration team,' commented Haresh Ahuja, IFFCOTech.

'IFFCOTech offers a proactive and service orientated culture to address the real business needs of the customer through our strong partnerships with global vendors such as Sun Microsystems, who offer technology solutions to address business problems,' he concluded.

Sun Microsystems is a leading provider of thin client desktop appliances with its Sun Ray line of ultra-thin clients. Offering server-class performance on the desktop, with enhanced security from Smart-Card technology, the appliances offer users flexibility and ease of use.

'The Thin-Client approach offers companies the opportunity to run a 'hot-desk' scenario where their executives or field agents can access their data from any machine on any site, which is just another way that the Sun Ray clients offer companies huge return on investment,'

commented Chris Cornelius, managing director, Sun Microsystems Middle East & North Africa.

'Working closely with partners such as IFFCOTech enables us to deliver the right solution to companies looking to address their individual business challenges, and we are delighted that Wade Adams, Gulf Eternit, and Gerab National Enterprises found that Sun Ray Thin Client solutions were the answer.'