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Distributed Computing For Businesses?
Meostro asks: "I've run several distributed computing clients in the past, and it felt nice to contribute to these projects that are saving the world. I recently became the admin of my company's branch datacenter, so my access to computing power has gone from 4 assorted boxes up to 20 servers and around 400 desktops. My ambition has grown by equal bounds, so I want to do some distributed processing on at least a few of these. We do food warehousing and distribution, so there's no protein folding, DSP or weather modelling work that would significantly contribute to our business. I've done some simple work with optimizing routes for our trucks, but our business doesn't seem to present many other problems that require lots of processing. What are some good business-specific tasks you have used distributed or grid computing to work through?"
On the 1 hand I agree with the above poster.
On the other hand, there may be something that fits your bill. But if you don't see it yet, just wait, get to know the business better, and keep your eye on all requirements documents, purchase requests, and so forth. Listen in on gripe and bluesky sessions. If it's coming, and you're plugged in and paying attention, you'll recognize the opportunity when it arrives.
Distributed computing is not free.
Compute the power costs of what you are proposing.
Knowingly wasting that sort of money is often a firing offense; at the scales you quote, we're easily talking hundreds a month and it may well exceed your personal salary. Not a great way to ensure you have a job tomorrow.