, Jan 18, 2014
VDI slashes IT costs; connects roaming academics with business tools. Click here to view the PDF version of the case study. Organisation Overview Loughborough University is one of the country’s leading universities, with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research, strong links with business and industry and unrivalled sporting achievement. Loughborough is the UK’s premier university for sport and has perhaps the best, integrated sports development environment in the world. The Challenge In 2010, Loughborough University undertook a major refresh of its network, data centre, and voice strategy and infrastructure. The overriding objective was to cost-effectively meet the long-term capacity and capability demands of its growing research, teaching and enterprise services. Central to the refresh was the implementation of Logicalis’ Cooperative Cloud; a hybrid cloud service that immediately provided the flexibility, capacity and efficiency the University needed – from an IT, finance and resource perspective. In the early stages of procurement, Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) was mooted as an additional initiative that would support the University’s objectives and deliver further maintenance and operational savings within the IT team. Dr Phil Richards, Director of IT at Loughborough University, comments, “We saw real merit in VDI – particularly since the data centre refresh would give us the capability to easily support VDI. However, at the time, in terms of the bigger picture, it was less of a priority.” The Solution As with all procurement processes, negotiating the most commercially competitive deal is a given. Richards adds; “Late in the procurement process, and utilising Logicalis’ influence with its vendor partnerships, we were able to secure three VDI licences from VMware. The licences would support up to 400 seats.” Whilst the licences were secured in 2010, the bigger picture strategy meant that VDI was only implemented in late 2012. At this stage, although many of Richards’ peers were already using VDI, he was cautious of its true potential and ROI to the University and initially restricted its rollout to corporate users. “We chose to deploy VDI to our corporate users – those that operate the business of university life, for instance our finance and HR departments. Simply put, it was easier for us to determine the requirements of this group, and generally their needs tended to be less technically demanding.” Within just a few months, and following Logicalis’ consultation, Richards was providing VDI access to the University’s academic and research staff, as part of a BYOD initiative. Key Benefits Richards comments, “We very quickly realised the benefits we had expected to see, namely; total cost of ownership and efficiency within the IT team, modest carbon savings, and the provision of an alternative IT service for corporate users. Deployment was straightforward, and staff able to securely access our existing library of virtual apps such as Sage and Autocad immediately. Staff also found it easy to use, which meant less training and fewer helpdesk demands.” In terms of IT team efficiency, Richards points to a significant saving in maintenance; “Despite it being a small deployment, we’re saving the equivalent, in man-hours, of 1-2 IT staff. This frees my team to focus on more productive duties.” For Richards though, it was the unexpected benefits that have helped VDI deliver the most significant ROI to the University; “VDI has proven useful for supporting corporate apps that haven’t been written for mobile devices yet. However, where it’s really making a difference is with our academic department. As a world class University, our lecturing and research teams often contribute to conferences and working groups around the world. Providing VDI access to the University’s administrative apps from their personal mobile devices is enabling them to log expenses, access shared teaching resources with students, and so on. With respect, this is invaluable to maintaining the University’s reputation as a leading education establishment. As always, utilising Logicalis’ influence and consultancy is enabling the University to exploit IT initiatives that have a big business impact.” |
Related Insights
Global , Nov 26, 2024
Case study, Videos
Logicalis DCC success story
Watch this video case study, which brings to life DCC’s transformative journey to standardise their approach to using Microsoft Azure across 50 businesses!
South Africa , Nov 22, 2024
One Planet, One Platform
How Logicalis connected our global carbon reporting dots with IBM Envizi.
United Kingdom , Nov 21, 2024
One Planet, One Platform
How Logicalis connected their global carbon reporting dots with IBM Envizi.
Global , Nov 20, 2024
One Planet, One Platform
How Logicalis connected their global carbon reporting dots with IBM Envizi.
Global , Nov 5, 2024
The Canadian International School of Hong Kong partners with Logicalis to fortify its security posture
Discover how Logicalis helped the Canadian International School of Hong Kong fortify its security posture.
Global , Oct 25, 2024
Case study, Videos
National Oceanography equip climate research vessels with Secure Connectivity
Read how the successful partnership between NOC and Logicalis delivered on the deployment of an advanced and all-encompassing wireless infrastructure solution that delivers improved levels of security to keep data safe.
Global , Oct 25, 2024
Case study, Videos
Logicalis partners with G.James to achieve sustainable business outcomes
G.James needed to modernise its ageing switching infrastructure whilst partnering with an organisation that aligns with their ESG goals and objectives.
United Kingdom , Oct 4, 2024
Noble Foods optimise operations and get closer to net zero with network transformation
Noble Foods sought to transform their network infrastructure to support critical business operations and meet sustainability goals.
Global , Oct 4, 2024
Noble Foods optimise operations and get closer to net zero with network transformation
Noble Foods sought to transform their network infrastructure to support critical business operations and meet sustainability goals.
Global , Aug 16, 2024
Leading UK University partner with Logicalis to enhance campus experience with seamless and secure connectivity
Logicalis enabled the University to offer a modern, secure and user-friendly network that supports students and their devices around the clock.
Global , Jul 18, 2024
Case study, Videos
Digital Transformation of SMAS Torres Vedras
For SMAS Torres Vedras, the task at hand was not just about supplying water; it was about fostering public health, enhancing the quality of life, and promoting the benefits of consuming water from the public network.
Global , Apr 19, 2024
Enhancing security posture: A strategic partnership with a leading aerospace manufacturing corporation
Logicalis USA has partnered with a multinational corporation to execute a comprehensive Security Benchmark and Enablement Program. The initiative involves evaluating and enhancing the secure data management practices across 55 operating companies, aligning with government and Department of Defence security requirements.
Global , Apr 19, 2024
Fortifying global gaming security: A Logicalis Intelligent Security success story.
Logicalis has successfully transformed the security infrastructure of a global lifestyle brand for gamers by deploying advanced MXDR capabilities. This initiative significantly enhanced security efficiency, reduced operational costs and improved the customer's security posture and resilience.
Global , Apr 19, 2024
Enhancing security posture and operational efficiency for a leading health and toxicology company
An international health and toxicology company pursued a digital transformation to bolster security and operational efficiency. Facing challenges of security framework enhancement and staff turnover, the company sought a reliable IT security partner.
Global , Apr 19, 2024
UKI local authority strengthens cybersecurity and creates efficiencies with Logicalis and Microsoft Defender XDR
Large council recently worked with Logicalis to deploy the MXDR solution. This has drastically reduced the number of incidents and ensures complete resilience.
Global , Mar 7, 2024
Revolutionising mining operations with integrated communication solutions
A prominent Chilean mining company partnered with Logicalis to overcome operational challenges, including open-pit communications, new project execution, remote site connectivity, back-office automation, IT operations continuity, and network equipment renewal.
Global , Mar 7, 2024
Addressing Communication Challenges for an International Copper Producer
In the heart of Chile's mining landscape, a prominent international copper producer recently navigated complex communication and IT infrastructure challenges. Operating discreetly, this case study unveils the strategic objectives, implemented solutions, and resulting business benefits achieved by the client in overcoming these hurdles.
Global , Mar 7, 2024
Advancing Connectivity and Reliability with Private Wireless Networks
An international fertilizer company partnered with Logicalis to implement private 4G/5G networks, focusing on outdoor and indoor coverage. Logicalis deployed a phased methodology, ensuring redundancy with a decentralized model and achieving comprehensive coverage. The private 5G networks enhanced reliability, stability, and lower latency, supporting mission-critical applications in mining environments and setting the stage for future deployments across the client's operations in the US.
Global , Mar 7, 2024
Optimising Cloud Infrastructure Management for a Global Leader in Metals, Mining, and Logistics
A multinational metals, mining, and logistics corporation collaborated with Logicalis to optimize global operations and streamline its Azure-based digital transformation. The collaboration empowered the client to overcome infrastructure challenges, expedite cloud migration, and transition into a more agile, value-driven organisation
Global , Mar 7, 2024
Transforming Mining Operations Through Network Modernisation and Automation
Logicalis won the tender to modernize the plants of one of the world's largest iron ore producers, a global leader in the mining industry. The client faced challenges related to outdated network architecture, manual processes, and the need for centralizing operations to enhance management efficiency
Global , Mar 6, 2024
Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Security for a Global Leader in the Gold Mining Industry
Our client, a global leader in the gold mining industry, maintains a significant presence in South Africa, with operations extending to Papua New Guinea. The company operates nine underground mines, one open-pit mine, and various surface operations within South Africa.
Global , Sep 21, 2023
Logicalis enhances APDL's Network with Cisco ACI
Logicalis implemented the Cisco Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI) solution because, in addition to being the industry's leading SDN (Software Defined Networking), it automates the network and security in a web interface for workloads on physical servers, virtual machines, containers or the public cloud.
Global , Aug 14, 2023
Advancing Collaboration and Future-Ready Solutions for a Research Organisation
Over four years, Logicalis has played a pivotal role as a collaborative partner for a research organisation, facilitating the transformation of their collaboration ecosystem with cutting-edge solutions and services. This collaboration stands as the largest contract between the research organisation and an external partner. Going beyond this, Logicalis is poised not only to continue its collaboration efforts but also to establish the groundwork for network and security solutions.
Global , Aug 11, 2023
Revolutionizing Chemical Plant Monitoring with Private Wireless Solution
The alliance between Logicalis, Cisco, and AirSpan RAN enabled our client to leverage the capabilities of Private Wireless technology, revolutionising their chemical plant monitoring practices. Overcoming wireless disruptions and facilitating constant monitoring, the client's commitment to safety, efficiency, and data accuracy was significantly enhanced. This successful deployment exemplifies the transformative potential of technology-driven solutions within the manufacturing sector, contributing to the continued success of our client.
Global , Aug 9, 2023
Yamaha Motors migrates to Azure, achieving greater performance, reducing failures, and laying the foundations for Industry 4.0
Yamaha Motors started with an assessment of its IT environment and then chose to move most of their applications to the Azure cloud. They relied on the support of Logicalis to migrate and manage cloud environments.
Global , Aug 2, 2023
Empowering Operational Transformation A Case Study of a Progressive County in the USA
Facing challenges with an aging network infrastructure and a reduced network team (from 6 staff to 2), the county sought to modernize its operational service delivery model to ensure 24x7x365 network coverage and improved security.
Global , Aug 2, 2023
Advancing Sustainable Building Transformation A Case Study with a Leading Energy Company
This case study highlights the collaboration between Logicalis and a prominent energy company to modernize buildings, enhance operational efficiency, and promote sustainability.
Global , Aug 2, 2023
Logicalis Constructs and Oversees Network Infrastructure for a Premier Healthcare Ecosystem
Leading clinical diagnostics company in South America with multiple brands, was in the process of building its new administrative headquarters. With the consolidation of the group's companies and the change of building, the company needed to develop a new IT structure that could support its collaborative work format and leverage the latest technology.
Global , Aug 2, 2023
Modernizing Global IT Infrastructure A Case Study of a Large Food Producer
A large food producer known for its prominent role in the food industry faced the challenge of modernizing its IT infrastructure globally. The historically grown infrastructure lacked homogeneity and had become outdated due to multiple suppliers with varying pricing and project standards. The company sought a global managed network service focused on LAN, Wireless LAN, and Security to overcome these challenges and build a solid foundation for future digital service solutions. Logicalis, a global Cisco Gold Partner, provided the ideal solution, offering 24x7x365 full managed service, central helpdesk, monitoring, service & transition management, professional services & consulting, and ongoing support
Global , Aug 2, 2023
Empowering Growth A Successful Collaboration with a Global Energy Supplier
A global utility-backed seaborne energy trader aimed to expand its operations by 50% over the next three years. However, the lack of a predictable cost base and standardized processes posed challenges to achieving this goal. Logicalis offered a managed services contract to address these issues, enabling the client to achieve their objectives while creating new opportunities for Logicalis in the modern workplace and security sectors.
Global , Aug 2, 2023
Enhancing Network Efficiency for a Global Automotive Manufacturer
Working with a prominent multinational automotive manufacturer with a vast workforce spread across more than 25 countries, Logicalis was entrusted with the task of optimizing their connectivity, ensuring network resiliency, and enhancing application performance visibility.
Global , Jun 20, 2023
Auto & General SEA embarks on a cloud transformation journey with Logicalis
Insurance solutions firm Auto & General has embarked on a cloud transformation journey in Southeast Asia (SEA), tapping on IT services provider Logicalis.
Global , Apr 12, 2023
Logicalis helps BPAY find their dream tech solution
Logicalis use Azure DevOps to deploy Azure Virtual Desktop that saved money, increased productivity, while delivering built-in agility and scalability for the future.
Global , Apr 12, 2023
Dairy Australia ditch the Data Centre for Azure in major migration with Logicalis
Read how Logicalis Australia assisted Dairy Australia to modernise the datacentre and take the organisation into the future with a secure, scalable and resilient IT environment.
Global , Mar 24, 2023
Improving employee experience with devices that fit how people work
Read the Logicalis Australia managed services solution that rolled out technology allowing employees to work effectively, thereby boosting overall employee satisfaction.
USA , Sep 9, 2022
Freeing a Global Manufacturer to Grow Unimpeded with Microsoft Azure
Logicalis acts as a trusted advisor for a global client looking to adopt a cloud-first strategy using Microsoft Azure to enable them to double their revenue by 2025.
Global , Jan 28, 2022
A Brazilian retailer implements Microsoft Teams to enable work during the pandemic
Brazilian retail chain needed to provide their teams with a stable and safe means of communication and collaboration when the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Logicalis migrated thousands of employees over to Microsoft Teams and ensuring productivity continued.
Global , Feb 12, 2021
Implementation of webex meetings at industry association during Covid-19
COVID-19 social distancing measures meant close contact was restricted, driving leaders at a non-profit industrial industry association to adopt a digital collaboration tool.
Global , Feb 12, 2021
The PlanetHome Group ready to take on the future with cloud infrastructure
The PlanetHome Group is a leading property service provider in Germany and Austria. When it comes to being prepared for the future, the company places great value on its IT strategy for digital transformation.
Global , Feb 12, 2021
Grupo Alkan developing a more agile and scalable business
Group Alkan is a holding company specialised in developing comprehensive logistics solutions that caters to the needs of the fuel sector regarding importation, distribution, and sales.
Australia , Feb 12, 2021
Data centre moved to Azure in major migration
A non-profit organsiation in Australia wanted to modernise their data centre and upgrade to a safe and scalable IT environment to ensure sustainability in the future. Logicalis' Production Ready Cloud solution enabled the organisation to move to be fully cloud-based and in doing so reduced their carbon footprint and increased flexibity.
Global , Oct 1, 2019
Legacy integration & contract consolidation delivers impressive cost savings
Merging two companies meant merging 2 IT platforms, which would deliver strategic value and cost savings. However, there were multiple single contracts for differing Cisco technologies, which covered both traditional and virtualised IT environments. The aim was to reduce complexity, reduce the time required to manage contracts and consolidate Cisco IT spend into one place.
Global , Jul 11, 2019
University of Wolverhampton
The University of Wolverhampton (UoW) has over 23,000 students, 2,400 staff and four main campuses. They had come to rely on legacy IT systems and were unable to adequately respond to dynamic service requests. Logicalis worked with the University to set up a Hybrid IT platform using Hewlett Packard Enterprise and VMware technologies.