Scribd
Upload
42 views13 pages

Driving Forces Behind Client

Uploaded by

maryjoygarzon30
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
42 views13 pages

Driving Forces Behind Client

Uploaded by

maryjoygarzon30
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 13

DRIVING FORCES BEHIND

CLIENT/SERVER COMPUTING
4.1 INTRODUCTION
The text discusses how a rapidly changing business environment demands
enterprise-wide access, which drives end user productivity. To stay competitive
in the global economy, organizations must employ technology to offeset higher
labor costs buy re-engineering business processes to improve responsiveness
and customer service. Impowering employees with decision making capabilities
at customer contact points is crucial for indentifying and addressing issues
efficiently. Client/Server computing, now more practical due to advances in PC
based platforms and internet techologies, play a key role in this impowerment.
The rice of web base ecommerce is also highlighted as a critical trend for
businesses of all sizes.
There are various forces that drive the move to client/server
computing. Some of them are:
(i) The changing business environment.
(ii) Globalization: The world as a market.
(iii) The growing need for enterprise data access.
(iv) The demand for end user productivity gains based on the efficient
use of data resources.
(v) Technological advances that have made client/server computing
practical like microprocessor technology, data communication and
Internet, Database systems, Operating Systems and Graphical User
Interface, PC-based and end user application software.
(vi) Growing cost and performance advantages of PC-based platforms.
(vii) Enterprise network management.
4.2 Driving Forces
Forces that drives the move to Client/Server computing widely can be classified
in two general categories based on:
Business Perspective
Basically the business perspective should be kept in mind for obtaining the
following achievements through the system:
 For increased productivity
 Superior quality.
 Improved responsiveness.
 Focus on core business

The effective factors that govern the driving forces are given below:
The changing business environment: Businesss process
engineering has become necessary for competitiveness in the market
which is forcing organizations to find new ways to manage their
busines, despite fewer personnel, more outsourcing, a market driven
orientation, and rapid product obsolescence.

The driving forces behind the shift to Client/Server computing. From a


business perspective, the primary motivations are increased
productivity, superior quality, improved responsiveness, and a focus
on core business. These are driven by factors like globalization, the
need for enterprise data access, and the demand for end-user
productivity gains. The changing business environment, with its focus
on competitiveness and efficiency, also plays a significant role.
Technology Perspective
The technological advancements that have made Client/Server
computing practical. These include intelligent desktop devices,
computer network architectures, technical advances like
microprocessor technology, data communication, and Internet
Database systems, and trends in computer usage such as
standardization, human-computer interaction, and information
dissemination. The increasing power and capacity of workstations,
along with PC-based end-user application software, have also
contributed to the adoption of Client/Server computing. The text
highlights the cost-effectiveness and performance advantages of
PC-based platforms over mainframe and minicomputer platforms,
while also noting the potential challenges of managing distributed
systems.
It emphasizes the importance of integrating computing and
communications resources into a seamless system to maximize
productivity. It highlights the need for widespread deployment of
computing technology, a consistent network architecture, reliable
and secure resources, and timely delivery of accurate information.
The text also stresses the importance of capturing and normalizing
information related to the business and its customers within every
business process. To achieve this, it emphasizes the need for
mechanisms to locate, access, and transmit data, and for
applications that are flexible to user preferences and work styles.
Client/server technology gives cost-effective, logical, and consistent architectural model
for networking that generalizes the typical computer model. Client/Server can simplify
network interactions that will give transparent interaction to the users. See the Fig. 2.1
illustrated below:
4.3 Development of Client Server System
The development of Client/Server systems differs greatly in process and
style from the traditional information systems development methods. For
example, the systems development approach, oriented towards the
centralized mainframe environment and based on traditional
programming language, can hardly be expected to function well in a client
server environment that is based on hardware and software diversity. In
addition a modern end users are more demanding and are likely to know
more about computer technology than users did before the PC made its
inroads. Then the concerning manager should pertain their knowledge
about new technologies that are based on multiple platforms, multiple
GUIs, multiple network protocols, and so on.
Development Tools
The choice of development tools for Client/Server applications is crucial in
today's rapidly changing environment. Managers should select tools with long-
term survival potential and that meet the specific requirements of the system
development. The ideal tool should support GUI-based development, multiple
interfaces, object-oriented development, various databases, data access
regardless of data model, seamless access to multiple databases, complete
SDLC support, team development, third-party tool integration, prototyping, RAD
capabilities, multiple platforms, middleware protocols, and network protocols.
However, there is no single best tool, and managers must choose one that fits
the application's requirements, available human resources, and hardware
infrastructure. Multiple tools may be necessary to meet all requirements.
Selecting the development tools is just one step; ensuring the system meets its
objectives at the client, server, and network levels is equally important.
Development Phases
The marketing plan for Client/Server system development
should be created before starting the design and
development process. This plan aims to gain end-user and
managerial support for the future system. The plan should
conceptualize the Client/Server system in terms of its
scope, resource optimization, and managerial benefits. It
requires an integrated effort across all departments. There
are six main phases in Client/Server system development.
This are six main phases in Client/Server system
development.

The six phases of Client/Server system development


involve: (i) self-study to assess existing resources, (ii)
defining the Client/Server infrastructure blueprint, (iii)
selecting a pilot project, (iv) obtaining top-level
management commitment, (v) implementation guidelines,
and (vi) review and evaluation. The focus is on using open
tools, fostering education, and ensuring system
performance under heavy end-user demand.
4.4 Client/Server Standard
Standards are publicly defined methods for achieving specific tasks
in a given discipline or technology. They are essential for making
networks practical. Open systems and Client-Server computing are
often used interchangeably, but it's crucial to base Client-Server
environments on standards for long-term viability. Proprietary Client-
Server technologies can limit flexibility and increase costs.
Organizations like IEEE, ANSI, and ISO establish standards for
network hardware, programming languages, and network systems
communications. The benefits of open standards include
interoperability, flexibility, modularity, improved security, reduced
maintenance, faster execution, and efficient database performance.

You might also like