Sun Ray desktop proposition Mini business case Introduction The Sun Ray desktop model delivers the ultimate in network delivered computing with the Sun Ray as a virtual display device, receiving all its services from the network. The Sun Ray has no moving parts no operating system, no CPU, memory, disk, floppy, CD or even a fan, but instead receives its entire desktop and applications over the network from centralised servers. This model delivers a number of significant benefits : Manageability By centralising all the key components of the desktop, the resources required to support a desktop community are significantly reduced. There is nothing to manage on the Sun Ray, as all the applications, data and operating systems are managed centrally. There is no longer any local operating system/browser/anti virus software patching or updating required at the Sun Ray, and no hardware upgrades/replacement of parts. Sun achieve a ratio of 2,000 desktops per system administrator in our 30,000+ Sun Ray network. Installing a Sun Ray is as trivial as plugging a phone into a socket, and doesn't need an IT technician to perform this task. So the organisation benefits from needing fewer staff and therefore real cost savings, or can usefully deploy hard pressed IT departments to more beneficial activity. Reliability Because there are no moving parts, Sun Rays are highly reliable. There are many instances of customers who bought their original Sun Rays in 1999, when they were first announced, and still running them happily today. The estimated mean time between failure of a Sun Ray unit is over 11 years. Again, this reduces operational workload, but more critically enables the organisation to jump off the desktop refresh roundabout. By removing the costs of one refresh, the Sun Rays pay for themselves. Typically, the pay back is better than this, with at least two refreshes saved. The model also offers reliability in another way, and that is of the data and the ability to deliver desktop services. A centralised model means that high quality data management policies are applied uniformly on all data and operating system data backup and archiving is consistent and encompasses everything. Moreover, centralising all the desktop services means that business continuity policy and strategy can be extended simply to the entire desktop environment simply and effectively. This all leads to a more efficient organisation. There is also a benefit in regard to productivity by minimising disruption and unavailability of the desktop device itself. Security The Sun Ray devices hold no data, and can be configured simply to disallow the introduction or removal
of any data or file, so they become very secure indeed, to help an organisation meet its security and legal compliance requirements. Moreover, every Sun Ray has a smart card reader, which gives an additional level of security, with the potential for two factor authentication, and integrating the smart card into the organisation's ID cards and access mechanisms.
Mobility The Sun Ray devices are merely points on the network that receive a particular user's session. Particularly with the smart card, this allows almost instantaneous mobility between Sun Rays, without the need to log on again. This has, in many cases, a significant impact on productivity, and by making the use of computers simpler, encourages their use. Sun Rays can be deployed on a local area network, wide area network, and also at the end of a DSL broadband connection, providing the potential for deployment of very low support devices in remote locations and for home workers. The benefits of flexible working/access can contribute significantly to cost reduction needs through reduced property costs and other fixed costs required to support employees, and also delivers improved productivity and retention of staff. For an organisation that performs a number of moves, adds and changes, the Sun Ray architecture significantly reduces the cost and operational burden of this requirement. Environment The Sun Ray device generates very little heat, makes no noise, and takes up a very modest footprint on the desk all things that improve an end user's environment. This model also benefits the organisation in an increasingly important manner through its low power consumption. The Sun Ray 170 (the integrated 17 model) operates at 35W, whilst the monitor less Sun Ray 2 operates at just 4W. This can have a very positive impact on electricity costs, and also help reduce any carbon levies the organisation is required to pay. Choice The Sun Ray is an agnostic device, and will happily run Windows, Solaris or Linux desktops. In some instances, this choice, and the added potential for software licence rationalisation through the centralised model, can generate savings in software licencing costs. This also allows the organisation more flexibility when it comes to considering the desktop delivery when faced with significant desktop operating system upgrades. It gives the organisation choice stay with Windows, consider an open source alternative, use a web browser, and the potential for a mix of these. For example, some users might only need a browser so why pay for a Windows licence? The Sun Ray architecture is also open there is a choice of Sun and third party servers to run as Sun Ray servers, Solaris or Linux as the operating system, and Sun Rays from Sun or a variety of third parties. Summary Overall, the Sun Ray architecture delivers a significant reduction in the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) of the desktop infrastructure for many customers. In addition, the model provides a number of significant business improvement and efficiency areas. There are many third party analyst reports that highlight these, and a large reference customer base that will also attest to these benefits being delivered in practice.
Cost model The following is based on two scenarios : 1) Windows desktop throughout, and 2) Solaris desktop throughout. Each scenario is based on deploying either Sun Ray 170s (to replace existing CRT screens), or Sun Ray 2s (where existing monitors are to be retained). Costs exclude implementation and Windows licences (2003/CALS etc). Costs are per Sun Ray. This is a very simple schematic, but demonstrates the potential for cost savings, and leaves room for applying further business benefit savings. Windows desktop Solaris desktop Sun Ray 170 Sun Ray 2 Sun Ray 170 Sun Ray 2 Sun Ray hardware 570.00 164.23 570.00 164.23 Keyboard and mouse 33.02 33.02 33.02 33.02 Sun Ray software 82.53 82.53 82.53 82.53 Sun Ray server hardware Windows server hardware 3 years support : software 3 years support : hardware 13.82 13.82 26.66 26.66 20.53 20.53 0.00 0.00 72.00 72.00 72.00 72.00 11.93 11.93 14.91 14.91 Sub total 803.83 398.06 799.12 393.35 Electricity savings 93.99 93.99 93.99 93.99 Refresh avoidance 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 Man power savings 300.00 300.00 300.00 300.00 Software licence savings 0.00 0.00 50.00 50.00 Other savings 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 Sub total 693.99 693.99 743.99 743.99 Net cost 109.84 295.93 55.13 350.64
Assumptions Windows server based on Sun Fire X4100, 2 x AMD Opteron 275 dual core with 16Gb memory supporting 150 concurrent users. Cost 6,160, 3 years silver 1,260 Sun Ray server based on Sun Fire T1000 Server, 6 * Core 1.0 GHz UltraSPARC T1 processor, 8 GB memory, 135 Sun Rays (Windows) or 70 Sun Rays (JDS). Cost 3,731.94, 3 years silver 2,088 Concurrency level 50% Refresh = 1 PC base unit replacement avoided Manpower = salary & on cost = 40,000, 1 admin per 400 desktops 2.5 admins saved per 1,000 desktops, = 100k per 1,000, or 100 per desktop per year. Cost applied for three years. Electricity costs based on following : Typical PC : 150 Watts Sun Ray : 35W + 6W of server = 41W 1W = 1.125kWh per day; Elec cost = 0.07p per kwh 150W = 168.75kWh daily, 61,594 annually 41W = 46.125kWh daily, 16,836 annually Difference = 44,758 = 31.33 per annum per desktop, 93.99 per three years