ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. -- For many years, computer users have been told to back up files and data.

There is a good reason for this. In the Directorate of Information Management's Service Center, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to obtain a user's files and data from a computer that has crashed.

In the very near future, some users will no longer have to back up their files and data.

The reason is an ultrathin server-based thin client, known as a zero client.

A zero client does not have an operating system or software installed locally. The device connects to a virtual desktop, enabling the computer operating system and all software to be hosted by the server.

What does this mean for the end user?

When the user logs out of the zero client and goes to another zero client, their files and data will follow.

The idea behind this is to move computing away from the desktop and to the data center, making software easier to deploy, easier to manage, less expensive and much more secure.

Zero clients are a new approach for delivering virtual desktops. There is a significantly lower cost and twice the performance compared to types of desktop computers and thin clients currently deployed on depot.

Software installs quicker - usually in a matter of minutes, instead of hours.

Here is a comparison of zero clients to thin clients:

They are both small, having a monitor, keyboard and mouse attached to the back. The small size frees up desk space.

They both are simple to install, not requiring a lot of time loading the software during installation.

Thin clients have an operating system, such as Linux or Windows, which is stored in flash memory.

Zero clients do not have an operating system. Instead, they have a processor designed to run a specific protocol.

All files and software for the zero client are located on the host server and only the keystrokes and raw pixels are transmitted.

This reduces the bandwidth on the network, making the zero client offer exceptional video performance.

Zero clients also rarely require software updates or patches, making them immune to viruses.

The DOIM leadership was skeptical at first about the depot's ability to use zero clients because of problems users experienced in the past with the thin clients currently deployed around depot.

So, we decided to let some users test the zero clients.

After an easy set-up in the DOIM Service Center, the server was installed. We gave users a few days to test the zero clients, unsure as to what their reaction would be.

To our surprise, we heard it was faster in many areas. Most users who tested the zero clients said the equipment was faster than their home computers.

DOIM is currently working on a timeline for the deployment of zero clients across depot.