Tokyo, Japan
3 July 2008

Thin Clients and Business Continuity Planning: Evaluating the Potential

BCP/BCM has brought the issue of maintaining user access to the forefront. Thin clients are garnering attention as a solution, but the virtual desktop may be more suitable in certain cases.

Japanese financial institutions have begun looking into the use of thin clients for business continuity planning / business continuity management (BCP/BCM) client access. However, usage of thin clients for BCP/BCM is expected to be limited. Though it can be an effective option from the standpoint of facilitating user access at a secondary office or backup site, it is not practical for achieving remote access from the home. When cost and operation are considered, implementation of a virtual desktop is a more effective option for remote access.

Institutions must determine which method matches the company's BCP/BCM. There are currently four thin client models: blade PC, blade server, virtual PC, and network methods. In addition, a virtual desktop using SSL-VPN is available as an alternative method.

"There is a unique tendency for the Japanese to believe that Japan is a secure country, and most domestic financial institutions are unaware of the dangers that exist. However, major financial institutions, banks, and securities companies worldwide have begun to consider the implementation of BCM to enhance the conventional BCP, and user access is an issue that must be addressed," says Yumiko Manchu, analyst for Celent's Asia Research Group and author of the report.

System streamlining will proceed with the development and popularization of server system virtualization and grid technology. Operating system administration is extremely cumbersome, complicated, and a frequent source of problems. If server virtualization becomes widespread, there will be a revolution in client terminals. The nature of systems will change fundamentally, and, as a result, the nature of BCP/BCM will change. The thin client and virtual desktop are necessary predecessors to this client environment revolution.

This 26-page report contains two figures and two tables. A table of contents is available online.

 

Members of Celent's research services can download the report electronically by clicking on the icon to the left.  Non-members should contact info@celent.com for more information.

 

About Celent

Celent is a research and advisory firm dedicated to helping financial institutions formulate comprehensive business and technology strategies. Celent publishes reports identifying trends and best practices in financial services technology and conducts consulting engagements for financial institutions looking to use technology to enhance existing business processes or launch new business strategies. With a team of internationally experienced analysts, Celent is uniquely positioned to offer strategic advice and market insights on a global basis. Celent is a member of the Oliver Wyman Group, which is part of Marsh & McLennan Companies [NYSE: MMC].

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