The goal in dividing these tasks is to create a balance of appropriate work on both the client and server computers, while minimizing network traffic. Client/server technology provides opportunities for increased flexibility in responding to user requirements by taking advantage of low-cost hardware technology, combined with network infrastructures and advanced application development and database management tools. Implementation of the client/server technology may increase the responsibility of end-user departments for the data processing operations, procedures, security, recovery, and maintenance of the resulting systems.
System development for client/server technology is more sophisticated than system development in the centralized or distributed computing environment. Client/server is not a single technology. Its implementation will vary based on many design factors involving hardware, software, application development tools, and the sophistication of end users and technical development organizations. Systems development can also involve business process reengineering, where the application will be redesigned to take advantage of process improvement and quality management inputs.
While client/server systems connote distribution to the division or department level, the design of such systems needs to be based on an institutional information architecture and infrastructure, since client/server systems need to coexist with other systems. The tasks that will be distributed to the client and server environment are the tasks typically contained within the traditional central data processing functions -- presentations (screens, graphical user interfaces), the processes (the application tasks such as "compute balance" or "calculate federal tax"), and the database. The database, while operating in a particular client/server environment, needs to be available at the institutional level. The extent to which these tasks will be distributed to the server or client platforms will be determined by the design of the particular system.
Current developments in the client/server arena are dependent on an institution's internal network structures and resources ("intranet"). Future developments may include use of external network structures and resources (such as the Internet) to deliver typical server functions to client platforms.