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Annual cost of running a 1000 workstation office: Hardware cost, Annual Maintenance cost and Annual Energy cost

Table 1: Comparison of Thin Client PC and Desktop PC

Methodolgy

Desktop PC

Thin Client PC

Hardware cost; Desktop PC cost $400, A Thin Client PC cost $100 on the average....sourse PC World.

CALCULATIONS

Total Hardware Cost= Unit Cost X 1000

$400,000

$100,000

Annual Maintenance cost

ROUTINE MAINTENANCE

  • Performing preventative maintenance and optimization services every 90 days (4 times per year). 
  • Cleaning up your computer(s), removing any spyware, adware, malware, viruses, and general computer "clutter" that accumulates over time and slows down your system's performance. 

  • Since dust accumulates inside your system (preventing critical components from cooling properly), IT staffs physically need to clean computer system as well.

  •  Updating all operating system and program files, and optimize your system for best possible performance.  

  • Backing up your files and data per a pre-arranged backup protocol and verify that your backup systems are functioning properly. 

  • Replacement cost of broken down or  worn out parts

CALCULATION:

Third party professional computer maintenance experts charge an annual average of $1000 per desktop PC.

Annual maintenance cost for a 1000 workstation= Unit Cost X 1000

$1,000,000

 

Nil

Annual Energy Cost (source: Wyse Technologies inc. US.)

Annual energy cost of your computer= n*p*h*52*c

n is the number of desktop devices

p is the power in kilowatts consumed by one PC

h is the number of hours each week the devices are turned on

52 is the number of weeks in a year

c is the energy cost per kilowatt-hour

(NB: Desktop PC consumes 0.3Kilowatt, a Thin Client PC 0.005kilowatt)

CALCULATION:

A 1000 workstation office working 50hrs per week in a region where the energy cost is $0.4per kilowatt-hr.  

Annual Energy Cost= 1000*p*50*52*0.4

Conclusion

Based on the result of this study, It is clear that Thin client devices are cheaper to maintain and are more energy efficient than traditional desktop computers...100% less Maintenance and 98% less Energy costs.

(About the Author: Steve Greenberg is the founder and President of Thin Client Computing in Scottsdale, Arizona. As a leading expert in server-based computing, he has designed mission-critical solutions for a wide variety of Fortune 500 companies.)

$312,000

$5,200

Chart 1: Comparison of Thin Client and Desktop PC,

: Hardware cost, Annual maintenance cost and Annual Energy cost