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The Co-operative Group achieves a new desktop virtualization environment with AppSense
Technology Category
- Functional Applications - Remote Monitoring & Control Systems
- Application Infrastructure & Middleware - Data Exchange & Integration
- Functional Applications - Enterprise Resource Planning Systems (ERP)
Applicable Industries
- Retail
- Consumer Goods
Applicable Functions
- Business Operation
- Facility Management
Use Cases
- Remote Asset Management
- Remote Control
- Remote Collaboration
- Virtual Training
Services
- System Integration
- Software Design & Engineering Services
The Challenge
The Co-operative Group faced several challenges, including the need for a seamless user experience across all physical and virtual desktops, increased manageability of the desktop environment, support for remote workers, and a reduction in costs. The company was rapidly expanding and building a new state-of-the-art headquarters, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint through desktop virtualization. They conducted a successful 250-user pilot with Citrix XenDesktop and planned to roll out over 3,000 virtual desktops over the next two years. The company also needed a flexible working strategy to allow employees access to their desktops at all times and from any location, with over 1,000 virtual desktops dedicated to remote workers.
About The Customer
Based in Manchester, England, The Co-operative Group is the world’s largest consumer-owned business with over 4.5 million members and 123,000 employees. The Group operates a family of businesses led by its principles and owned by its members, who have an equal say in how the business is run and its social goals are achieved. The Group holds strong market positions in banking and insurance, and also operates the fifth largest food retailer, the third largest retail pharmacy chain, the largest independent provider of funeral services, and the largest independent travel business.
The Solution
The Co-operative Group chose AppSense as their comprehensive workspace management solution to complement Citrix XenDesktop. They had been using AppSense Environment Manager and AppSense Application Manager in their XenApp estate for six years and decided to extend this to their virtual desktops. AppSense Environment Manager allowed them to manage user profiles effectively and provide a consistent and reliable desktop experience at each logon. AppSense Application Manager increased security by allowing IT to lock down desktops and laptops of remote workers, preventing unauthorized installations. The Group planned to roll out AppSense workspace management technology to over 3,000 virtual desktops and continue this deployment as the company expanded.
Operational Impact
Quantitative Benefit
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