White Paper

Back to the future:

The advantages of hosted
desktop computing for
service sector firms
Leveraging cloud computing to release efficiency
and competitive advantage

www.servicedcloud.com
Introduction
omputing devices. PCs, laptops and tablets enable
oles in pursuit of the commercial interests of a business.
Computers, peripheral hardware and software licensing all have substantial costs. When we factor in support and maintenance,

During the recession technology innovation played a key role in crea

were released from time consuming manual processes to be more pr
choice for companies as well as workers as to when and where work was actually done.

The recession saw the popularity of cloud computing soar in the shape of Softwareas-a-Service (SaaS). Many of these online
applications provided specialised Line-of-Business functionality for spe
accounting. Theres a very good reason for this - cloud-based compu

Shifts cost centre from CAPEX to OPEX

Reduced costs effectively allowed businesses to accomplish more with less. Shifting the cost centre eliminated much of the
requirement for capital investment in the technology tools needed to ensure competitive advantage. This was especially useful
in an operating environment where the supply of investment capital had been strangled somewhat.

Online, cloud-based applications that are delivered over the internet and accessed through a web browser are familiar to all.
Hosted desktop technology provides the capability to do something s
operating system that we use on PCs and laptops.

nd highlight key advantages that make it a good choice for

ypically this could be employment law or by professional
standards or regulatory bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), The Law Society, or the Information Commissioners
enforcement of the Data Protection Act.

Some background

Back to the future with hosted desktop

Hosted desktop can be looked on as an up-to-date version of the mainframe and terminal computing architecture of the 1960s,
70s and 80s. A mainframe can be looked on as a server where all the processing is carried out. The terminals on the desks of users
simply allowed instructions to be sent to the mainframe and to view the results.

In a hosted desktop solution, a server delivers a desktop environment including operating system and applications to each thin
client on the desks of users. The software and processing all resides with the server and the thin clients simply provide the means
to control the tasks and functions that are performed.

In a sense, the resemblance to mainframe/terminal computing means opting for hosted desktop is a little like going
back to the future. However, it is most certainly not a backward step!

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Hosted desktop Vs. Client-server computing

Hardware

The truth about the desktop PC

The trend for PCs and conventional client-server computing grew out of the desire to allow maximum power and customisation for

Users need disk storage to install big applications, fast processors and large capacity RAM memory chips to enable quick, glitch free
image manipulation or similar. However, from the perspective of hardware and for the vast majority of businesses, it makes no sense

Thin clients are network devices that simply control and display hosted desktop computing operations. These processes are executed
on a host, the server. The server could be located in a comms room in the same building, a remote data centre in the same city or
country, or a data centre in another country on the other side of the world. Thin clients require no disk storage, processors and RAM,
eliminating these costs.

need to run more powerful applications, an advanced form of

hosted desktop is available to provide the higher level of performan g
platforms with graphing software. This uses virtual desktop technol -
side.

Hardware size
Thin clients are considerably smaller than familiar tower or cake bo
Ultra Small Form Factor (USFF) PCs are available, they do not match the small size of a thin client.

A thin client is a compact device, similar in size to a consumer broadband router. It requires a display, keyboard/mouse and a network
connection. When opting for a hosted desktop solution, the biggest question may be what you put in the space vacated by the PCs!

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Hardware cost

spread sheets and internet browsing/web applications. Typical reductions in cost are around 50%.

Power consumption
The energy consumption of a thin client is typically in the range of 3 9
50 watts. Averaged over boot up, periods of use and periods of inactivity, thin clients reduce energy consumption by up to 90%
when compared to a PC CPU base unit.

Software
More labour intensive PC software
In a conventional PC and server environment (client-server computing model), servers run server operating systems while PCs
run desktop operating systems, installed on disk storage within each computer. In effect each computer is a self-contained device,
unication tools like email and internet web browsing.

Operating systems and applications on each computer need to be installed and updated or patched when required. In the way
ions, it is possible to centralize control of PC software updates.
This requires in-house IT administrators or external IT partners to have the correct tools and the right knowledge.
ss is more time consuming for PCs.

Hosted desktop thin clients have no software installed. Everything r

re. Hosted desktop server administration is carried out by
external IT partners controlling a server residing in a remote data centre or network operation centre.

Where more advanced virtual desktop technology and private cloud systems are in use admin and management may be performed
by in-house IT managers, or external IT partners.

Experience

Seamless experience for users

Thin clients offer a seamless experience for users that are familiar with PCs. The user is able to customise the look and feel of their
workspace with desktop pictures, fonts etc. if permitted.

A thin client session is launched when a user logs on to the network. The server uses virtualization technology to deliver a familiar
. A thin client starts up very quickly. Simply turn it on and the
login screen is there within a few seconds. A computer user is able to be productive straight away.

Centralized control means the user is restricted in their ability to make changes that may compromise the performance or even bring
the machine down. This means greater reliability, less user frustration and more productivity.

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A user is able to log onto any thin client on the network and receive their personal desktop, complete with all authorised network
resources for which permissions are allowed. Hosted desktop computing enables seamless hot desking and desk sharing as well
ay be located anywhere with a suitable internet connection

For those that need to have PCs or laptops, a hosted desktop solution does not prevent them having the computer that best meets
their needs. Similarly, the personal preferences of senior team members for PCs, laptops or tablets can easily be accommodated
within the network design.

Security

Unless locked down to prevent it, PCs allow software to be installed ers.
Thin clients have no local disk storage and are locked by default to prevent data being copied onto external storage devices by users.

Virus and malware proof

Appropriately designed thin clients are immune to virus and malwar
with the hosted desktop server is secure and the settings are protected by 256-bit encryption.

Network security
Thin clients with robust 802.1x wired and wireless networking connect securely to local area networks (LANs). A variety of
authentication methods, including single sign-on and 2-factor authentication may be used to provide users with secure logons.

Securing smartphones and tablets

With appropriate Mobile Device Management (MDM) software, hosted desktop solutions also support centralized
management of company and employee owned smartphones and tablets.

TCO as a deployed solution

Above, we compared costs in terms of PC and thin client hardware and energy consumption. How does this translate into the real
world where there are additional considerations for a network solution, including monitors on each desk, software, servers, switches,
routers, air conditioning and the services of a technology partner?

Typically, when deployed across an SME of 20 users, the comparative TCO or Total Cost of Ownership, including capital expenditure
(CAPEX) and recurring running costs (OPEX) are:

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 CAPEX one-time costs
Hosted desktop solution reduces investment costs by approximately 68% compared to a solution based on desktop PCs
OPEX annual running costs
Hosted desktop solution reduces annual recurring costs by 33% compared to a solution based on desktop PCs

d
user capability to change settings, install software and peripheral hardware means there is little chance for users to bring a machine
down.

If hardware does fail, a spare thin client can simply be plugged in and logged on to the network, something that is quickly
accomplished without expert help. Centralized administration and control means easier, less time consuming management processes.

Summary

Key advantages for service sector businesses

ement for your virtualized computing environment.

The key advantages for companies in the professional services sector are:

Security
Hosted desktop buttons down IT related regulatory
nance. It also addresses the more general scope of
ent of the Data Protection Act (ICO/DPA enforcement).
Cost reduction
Like all businesses, profession
savings over PC-based network designs. When considered in terms of simplifying IT and reducing the maintenance and labour

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Why is Serviced Cloud a preferred technology
service provider to the services sector?
Serviced Cloud is a specialist provider of cloud technology solutions to the professional services sector. Serviced cloud has the
expertise and experience to help service sector companies and those supplying services to regulated businesses to meet their
regulatory obligations or follow guidelines on the use of technology.

It is our confirmed belief the cloud offers outstanding opportunities for services sector firms to leverage technology so it returns
more value to their businesses. A hosted desktop solution showcases this in a way that is truly compelling.

Serviced Cloud works with in-house compliance experts or external consultants to ensure any solution exceeds interpretation of the
applicable regulatory code(s). Serviced Cloud provides the appropriate level of services required by the majority of SME businesses,
whether governed by a mixture of state legislation and frameworks devised and enforced by regulating authorities or by professional
standards bodies and trade associations.

About Serviced Cloud

Serviced Cloud is a close knit and highly professional team of technology professionals that are evangelists for cloud solutions.
This is because we believe the benefits are unrivalled by equivalent on-premise approaches to provisioning business technology.

The business benefits of the cloud are regularly highlighted in the press and deliberated in boardrooms. Cloud technology is a topic
about which the vast majority of business leaders are likely to have more than a passing interest.

Based in the heart of London in Canary Wharf, Serviced Cloud was incorporated in 2009 with a clear and simple vision.
We are dedicated to helping business leaders in professional services organisations find the best way of successfully adopting
cloud technology in their businesses. We offer best of breed Hosted Cloud Services in our ISO27001 London data centres,
and help clients to create their own Private Cloud systems in their own offices or data centres.

Our friendly and professional engineers and consultants have extensive experience, proven track records and can-do
attitudes. We offer independent advice but partner with the leading cloud technology companies to ensure seamless support.
We are serviced focused; our clients satisfaction is paramount.

www.servicedcloud.com