The Cutter Project specialises in delivering world-class packaged systems that provide thin client computer desktops and make those desktops remotely accessible. We have extensive experience of doing this and we've invested in tools and methods that make this simple, reliable, easily configurable and, above all, simple. Our clients save money, power, landfill and time whilst getting systems that 'just work'. We work directly with small to medium clients and also work extensively with systems integrators on larger projects. We do one thing, and we do it well. Where complementary products help us to deliver cost-effective, reliable and sustainable systems we include those in our portfolio, as an example Sun's Amber Road storage systems.

Cutter is a world-leader in low-impact computing. We've done the hard work to integrate technology replacing power-hungry and expensive desktop computers, providing low-cost sustainable systems that work all the time and can be accessed from anywhere in the world just as if you were at your desk. ICT users in businesses, schools and charities have discovered that this isn't futuristic science-fiction, instead it works, now, today!

The issues are the same in most organisations. But let's not be abstract: take UK education as a particular example, an area we know well.

Schools and Colleges are finding it increasingly difficult to renew existing computer equipment due to the costs involved. The average life expectancy of workstations is 3 - 4 years. There is more and more emphasis on the use of ICT in day to day teaching, requiring more workstations and existing ones to be kept up to date. Many establishments simply don't have the budget to do this.

Schools' computer stocks have increased over time, producing a management issue of purchase, disposal and re-use of resources. Computers over three years old contribute significantly to the overall ratios of machines to pupils. As these computers get older they become an even bigger drain on resources as they become less reliable. A change of thinking is needed or the money will run out.

Cutter's approach has several components. We replace desktop computers with low-cost ‘Thin Client’ technology, increasing the desktop life to 7 - 10 years whilst consuming a fraction of the power of the alternative, thereby reducing energy bills and carbon footprint. Software and processing is centralised onto high-reliability servers, reducing management costs and increasing uptime. Systems monitoring and management techniques are introduced which permit experts to diagnose and correct faults without needing to visit your site, increasing uptime and decreasing management costs. Remote-access techniques permit users to work from home or abroad without needing to travel, further reducing energy usage and increasing the return on investment of your assets. Common services can be provided using commodity software in place of expensive brand-name packages, breaking the ‘upgrade spiral’ to reduce costs still further. Our systems are pre-configured and delivered almost ready-to run, reducing expensive on-site commissioning work, most post-install commissioning being performed remotely. Our systems are designed to be fit-and-forget with almost no routine maintenance or configuration required.