Client-Server Computing is now recognized as the most powerful and flexible computing mode of the future. Many companies have already committed significant amount of their corporate IS resources to building the client-server computing environment. Despite this active interest and commitment, however, results from such clinet-server projects are far from being convincing. Among the many factors, we argue that the less than satisfactory client-server experiences are primarily due to the company's lack of rigorous analysis about its various information processing characteristics.
We analyze five clinet-server architectures in terms of seven IS-related criteria. We then develop a contingency model to match company's information processing characteristics to the most ideal client-server architecture for the firm. Finally, based on the client-server architecture analysis from the previous step, we recommend specific implementation strategies for each client-server architecture selected.
