Kings College London becomes IT high-flyer in the delivery of IT applications and services :: PublicTechnology.net :: e-Government & public sector IT news + job vacancies:

Kings College London (KCL) has unveiled a new IT infrastructure that will improve service availability, security and user access for its 19,700 students and 5,000 staff.

Implemented by Getronics, KCL’s new ‘Global Desktop’ uses desktop virtualisation technology to simplify and optimise the way IT services and applications are delivered. Based on Getronics’ ‘Your Workspace, Anywhere’ initiative, it is designed to reduce operating costs and streamline processes.

In a five-year contract, Getronics is working in close partnership with the College’s Information Services & Systems (ISS) department to deliver their vision of a virtualised environment running on thin client technology. The virtualised desktop environment meets the objectives set out in the College’s Ten Year Strategic Plan (2006-16) to enhance quality and distinction in all areas of business activity, supported by world-class professional services and infrastructure. The project will bring a broad set of features and functionality to a diverse set of users.

Key areas of the new IT infrastructure are office automation, ‘anywhere access’ to applications and infrastructure, increased security and new back-up management. By replacing a complex system that was becoming increasingly costly to support, it will improve user experience and freedom, as well as introducing commercial and operational efficiencies.

“Not only will our new approach to IT deliver immediate benefits for users and cost savings for the College, but it will also prepare us for the future,” said Lynne Tucker, Chief Technology Officer at Kings College London. “Getronics supports legacy applications that cannot be virtualised until we’re ready to replace them and has created a fully scalable infrastructure, able to meet our changing requirements.”

Dave Baldwin, managing director at Getronics UK and Ireland, commented: “Students and staff now have access to core applications and information wherever and whenever they need it. They can also access many specialist academic applications from any computer or smart device, rather than needing to go into the library or lab. Behind the scenes, King’s College London now has a robust datacentre-centric architecture and improved business continuity that can truly deliver workspaces, anywhere.”

Getronics was selected for its skills set, knowledge and experience in delivering and managing major IT infrastructure programmes, as well as for its strategic global alliances with Cisco, Riverbed, Microsoft, and SUN. The initial implementation phase has now been completed.