From Horizon to Azure Virtual Desktop

Torridge District Council sought to modernise its virtual desktop infrastructure by transitioning from VMware Horizon to Azure Virtual Desktop. The council's goals were to enhance scalability, streamline application deployment, and align with best practices in cloud management. INTEGY was selected as the technology partner to design and implement this migration.


Challenges:

- Transitioning from VMware Horizon to AVD without disrupting daily operations.

- Packaging and deploying over 80 applications for end-user access.

- Ensuring secure, scalable, and compliant infrastructure aligned with CIS benchmarks.


Solution:

Working closely with Torridge District Council's technical team, INTEGY scoped out the project in detail. The solution consisted of:


Azure Virtual Desktop Architecture: A validation and production host pool were designed and implemented, both deployed into a pre-existing Azure Landing Zone managed Azure Subscription.

 

Application Packaging & Deployment: Over 80 applications were packaged and prepared for seamless deployment via Microsoft Intune, ensuring smooth transitions for end-users on the session hosts.


Security & Compliance: All policies and controls were aligned with CIS benchmarks to ensure a secure environment. The solution was Entra ID joined, providing strong identity management.


Outcome:

The project was delivered successfully, with all users migrated to Azure Virtual Desktop within the agreed timescales. By working collaboratively with the council's local technical team, INTEGY ensured the solution met all objectives, providing a robust, scalable, and secure environment.


Why INTEGY? 

As a Microsoft Solutions Provider with the AVD designation, INTEGY's expertise in cloud infrastructure and desktop virtualisation played a crucial role in delivering a smooth transition for Torridge District Council. The project exemplified the "better together" philosophy, where collaboration with the council's local team led to the success of the deployment.




Call us today on 01392 796525 or Email us at ask@integy.co.uk

December 16, 2024
At INTEGY, we’re passionate about enabling organisations to embrace the future of work, especially when innovation and agility are at the heart of their mission. Recently, we had the privilege of supporting a client whose business serves as a launchpad for startups, providing the technology and equipment needed to kickstart their journey.  The Challenge: Outdated IT for a Growing Organisation Our client’s IT infrastructure was a traditional setup, with user accounts and devices tightly bound to Active Directory. This configuration required devices to maintain network connectivity to on-premises servers, creating operational limitations. With the facility expanding to three separate locations, this approach no longer supported their need for flexibility, scalability, and efficiency. Startups thrive on speed and adaptability, and their IT systems needed to reflect those principles. The reliance on traditional IT was slowing them down, creating unnecessary overhead, and limiting their ability to provide the seamless experience their customers expected. The Solution: A Cloud-Native Transformation We transformed their IT environment into a modern, cloud-native setup: Entra ID for Identity Management Every device is now joined to Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), shifting identity management to the cloud. This eliminates the need for on-premises servers, offering secure access from anywhere. Intune for Device Management Devices are now managed through Microsoft Intune, enabling streamlined policy enforcement, application deployment, and security updates, all delivered from the cloud. Enhanced Security with Zero Trust Principles We implemented a Zero Trust security model, ensuring that devices and users are authenticated and compliant before accessing resources. Defender for Endpoint provides enhanced threat protection and visibility across their environment. Simplified User Experience By decoupling devices from on-premises dependencies, we empowered their users to work from any location with a secure, seamless experience. Scalability and Agility With their new cloud-native IT framework, our client is no longer constrained by physical infrastructure. They can now scale operations effortlessly as they open new locations and onboard new startups. The Results: Flexibility, Efficiency, and Growth The move to a cloud-native configuration has been a game-changer for our client. They’ve gained: Operational Efficiency : IT management is simpler and faster, reducing administrative overhead. Improved User Experience : Users now enjoy consistent and reliable access to systems, regardless of location. Scalability : Expansion to new sites no longer requires complex IT overhauls. Security : Advanced cloud security tools ensure their data and devices remain protected. By embracing modern IT, our client is better positioned to serve their customers and focus on what matters most: empowering innovation for startups. Helping You Move Forward If your organisation is grappling with the limitations of traditional IT and looking to make the leap to a cloud-native future, we’re here to help. Let’s transform your IT and unlock your potential.
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