Standalone architecture

Our dependence on computers within the workplace is clear. Present on every desktop and commonplace for all business travellers, we have come to depend on easy and reliable workstation access to deliver the applications, tools, and communication mechanisms that improve our performance. In recent years most organisations have invested heavily on enterprise software systems and the number of workstations (both fixed and laptop) can be counted in the thousands and tens of thousands. While these workstations have driven higher performance and productivity, the number of systems, their complexity and diversity, their geographic distribution, and the need for regular upgrades and maintenance, have outpaced the capacity of most IT support departments.