Adequate performance requires even faster transmission mediums, and their accompanying higher costs. At the opposite end, the fat client model presents different problems. Data replication and synchronization between thousands of workstations is a fundamental issue. This problem is further aggravated by replicating to dial-in mobile users. The thin client provides middle ground for many organizations now.
Applications run on the client, and the data resides on a remote server.
Both the thin and fat clients require individual software licenses. Neither can take advantage of software metering from an application server. Preparing for the year 2000 date rollover problem will make these scarce resources even harder to find. By GartnerGroup estimates, organizations must have their plans in place by mid-1997. Those who delay beyond that date run the risk of coming up short handed when the millennium rush hits.