Japan Thin Client Solution 2008-2012 Forecast and First Half 2008 Analysis: Virtualization and Mobile Thin Client Trends

This IDC study, analyzes the Japan thin client market trends in 2Q08 and, in addition to confirming the present situation of the market, also forecasts the thin client market trends and overall thin client solution market trends. Virtualization technology is implemented and operated in servers, storage, network, desktop, and all IT systems. In particular, implementation of server virtualization will establish the foundation for the adoption of desktop virtualization. However, once desktop virtualization is implemented, the client environment will not require thin client terminals, and this will not contribute to growth of thin client terminals. In other words, it is unknown whether desktop virtualization will increase thin client solution market growth or prove to be a bane to its expansion.

"By integrating desktop virtualization technology into thin client solutions, it is possible for vendors to tackle diverse business issues flexibly. Vendors should pick out the solution that incorporates desktop virtualization technology from the four main thin client methods and display them in an overview diagram. Leveraging mobile thin clients as an information leakage solution, as well as developing mobile devices and reducing their prices are factors that will promote expansion of the thin client solution market," analyzes Hiroshi Shibutani, senior market analyst, PCs, IDC Japan.