Solutions 2 Go, LLC
CHALLENGE
Build a new infrastructure for a newly formed business providing a flexible, dynamic desktop solution that enhances performance, manageability and security.
SOLUTION
VMware View 3 enabled desktops to be delivered via thin client terminals, reducing patching and upgrading overheads, lowering disk space requirements, enabling rationalization of desktop hardware and improving security
VMWARE SOLUTION
- VMware Infrastructure 3, featuring ESX 3.5 with VMFS, VMotion, High Availability
- VMware vCenter Server
- VMware View 3, Broker and Security Broker
RESULTS
- Achieved and flexible environment
- Enabled a new user to be provisioned in three minutes (for a cloned desktop) or 15 seconds (for a linked-clone desktop), down from half a day for a standard PC deployment
- Achieved power and cooling savings of 70% per year
- Created a Mobile Solution in terms of core infrastructure and remote access - users
Solutions 2 Go, LLC USA, a newly formed distribution company for the entertainment industry specializing in video games, accessories and consoles, opened a new office and warehouse center in Santa Ana, California. Since a previous relationship existing between Technability, LLC and the partners of Solutions 2 Go, LLC, Technability was immediately hired and tasked in finding the best technology and overall architecture that fit some specific needs.
Technability immediately suggested looking into the latest enterprise architecture utilizing VMware and the latest release of VMware View 3 to meet specific requests and needs Solutions 2 Go, LLC had set forth during the initial due diligence. Some of the specific requests related to performance, flexibility, and the biggest challenge, the ability to migrate an entire office at low costs, and even expand across the USA as the business adds additional warehouse distribution space.
VMware View and the usage of specific infrastructure hardware allows for creating and distributing desktop environments locally or over the WAN and securely enables a fast remote work environment, providing the flexibility and potential mobility of Solutions 2 Go, LLC. Another bigger issue Technability faced was trying to accomplish numerous needs of the business within a budget, but most of all, trying to build a giant infrastructure while adhering to more of a "green" data center in terms of size, power consumption and heat generation. As many already know, VMware allows for bulk server consolidation, but VMware View 3 allows for the usage of Thin Clients for end-users without hard drives or fans and can run numerous desktops all from one server. This would mean that Solutions 2 Go, LLC would be running 15 less conventional desktops and 6 less servers in their data center, which in turn meant meeting the goal of going more "green".
VMware View 3 also allows for the rapid deployment of end-user desktops working in the warehouse, and deployment of individual desktops for more versed users that need the additional memory, storage space, desktop like features and overall power running the heavy ERP and office productivity applications. Having this much flexibility in the type of desktop deployments met the specific needs and satisfied the worries that a thin client would not be able to handle the applications typically installed on the conventional desktop. For Solutions 2 Go, LLC the thin client desktop environment would work in both the office and warehouse environment, further satisfying the need to expand and grow to a future warehouse as they would not need to add additional infrastructure, rather they would simply require additional thin clients and an internet connection to expand the office to a remote location, which in turn is a huge savings.
Finally, Solutions 2 Go, LLC has a large demand for remote access and remote users. Rather than using IPSEC or SSL based VPN solutions or using less secure methods such as RDP, VMware View allows remote connections through its View Secure Broker. This allows the end-users the ability to simply and quickly remote access their office based desktops and provides full access to their desktop environment from any internet connection. For advanced needs, VMware View will even allow for offline desktop which enables their packaged desktop to operate locally on a laptop or desktop and synchronize any changes when the desktop is re-introduced to the office infrastructure. Having all this flexibility and options for remote access and remote users in the field, VMware View 3 was an easy choice to make for Solutions 2 Go, LLC and one that accomplishes numerous challenges related to flexibility, security, performance, cost and overall management.
Consolidated Analytics, Inc.
BACKGROUND
Consolidated Analytics Inc. provides unsurpassed real estate appraisal management and collateral valuation services to the financial industry. A Technology and business that requires a strong online presence and collaberative work environment with security conscious controls in place.
CHALLENGE-NEEDS
Use technology to create a strong collaborative work environment to keep information flowing, costs down, and continually grow while delivering a great product to the industry. They need to leverage technology and expand their efficiencies without increased costs, and they need to enhance their online presence and B 2 B Applications. Consolidated Analytics needs an Active-Directory Infrastructure, Multi-Server Architecture, VPN Technologies and Remote Access, and a Premiere hosting environment for mission critical applications.
SOLUTION
Consolidated Analytics hired Technability to engineer and deploy a new office infrastructure utilizing some existing assets and some new to accommodate the growth expectation of the newly formed business. Technability developed a strong, flexible work environment preventing gaps in communication using a combination of Active-Directory, Exchange 2003 Server, NEC Systems, Remote Access, and Replication Services within Server 2008. Technability developed this entire new office infrastructure on a very tight timetable and within a very tight budget delivering Enterprise class applications, performance, redundancy and efficiencies. Consolidated Analytics also hired Technability to develop their new marketing based website, and Technability is currently developing the Phase 2 portion of their AVM System.
RESULTS
Consolidated Analytics is a leader in the industry using technology to expand and grow the business. They are able to process orders effectively and efficiently, they communicate between all departments internal and remote and are able to provide excellent customer service at a lower cost due to savings in overhead. Consolidated Analytics will become the market leader in their industry over the next several months and with the help of Technability.
