[ SITUATION ] Landmark Financial was becoming increasingly frustrated with the unreliability of their PC-based network. The system always seemed to fail on them just when employees needed it the most. To keep things running, the system regularly required extensive maintenance on the server as well as each individual workstation. Employees who worked remotely had intermittent success accessing the network, and when they did, it was not always a secure connection. The company was planning on relocating in the near future and was not looking forward to the hassle of packing up their current patchwork of PC's, wiring, and servers and then reassembling this set up in their new location. Landmark decided they were willing to invest in replacing their network but wanted a solution that would reduce IT costs in the long-term. Additionally, they needed to improve network security, worker productivity and network reliability. [ APPROACH ] Enterprise Systems recommended Landmark switch to a thin client environment to centralize all applications on one server and replace PC's with terminals. A Citrix MetaFrame thin client system featuring Neoware Eon thin client computing devices was chosen to allow for maximum customization, flexibility and upgradability of the network. The Citrix/Neoware combination allowed system maintenance to be done directly on the main server, or remotely by Enterprise Systems, and immediately implemented on all terminals. The system also enabled employees to securely access the network remotely. The Neoware Eon thin client devices allowed Enterprise Systems to install a wireless Cisco LAN to give Landmark employees flexibility. The wireless set-up gave employees mobility within the office and prepared the company for an easy move to their new location. The network was secured with a multi-layered wireless security plan, including encryption and authentication. [ RESULTS ] Maintenance and upgrades have improved greatly due to remote monitoring and rapid application deployment - what used to take days now takes minutes. Landmark has seen increased ROI on their IT investment. The company is able to extend the life of existing technology investments, without rewriting applications or changing existing computing architectures. The new network has the potential to reduce IT infrastructure costs up to 50 percent over the next five years. Employees working remotely now have reliable secure access to all applications on the network whenever they need them. "The reliability of Citrix has been impeccable. Problems are diagnosed and resolved more efficiently and often times remotely. We are able to ensure that every employee has access to the newest versions of applications, the best security protection and the latest virus software. Work now gets done faster because of the enhanced processing of a central server system and the elimination of workstation problems. Employee response has been very positive. We are looking forward to long-term cost savings on maintenance." —Steve Eastridge, CFO, Landmark Financial