All involve moving part or all of the processing and data storage off of the mainframe and onto a lower cost computer. Although rated equally, the instructions on a mainframe are usually significantly more complex. However, the increased capability of the mainframe computer does not match the tremendous cost difference between mainframes and PCs. Several industry experts call the downsizing trend the death of the mainframe. Others say it will not disappear, that it will become a central coordinating device over an enterprise's extensive data and applications.
Most state agencies use some decentralized computing, but benefits are difficult to measure.
Interviews with managers from several of the state's large data processing operations indicate most have implemented some level of decentralized computing. Also, several have implemented systems where data on the mainframe is downloaded to PCs for processing by a user. The managers believed that decentralized systems require approximately half the development effort required by mainframe implementation. A few agencies are in the process of implementing large strategic applications using decentralized architectures. MHMR is implementing a patient care application using a complex decentralized computing architecture, moving most processing and data storage to PCs and LAN hardware located at each of their facilities.