Our client selected the VMware Workspace ONE solution to offer a state-of-the-art virtual desktop management system to their customers, who are primarily municipalities and cities. The deployment of VMware Workspace ONE manages virtual desktops, VMs, and laptops through its robust Unified Endpoint Management (UEM). To enhance security, a multifactor authentication solution was also included.
The client faced several challenges that influenced their decision. They needed to reduce costs by transitioning from thick to thin clients and decrease the frequency of hardware purchases. Additionally, they aimed to simplify data access and speed up their onboarding process to improve productivity. Security, which was also a major concern, necessitated enhanced data protection measures. Moreover, a strict requirement was that all services must be hosted on-premises to ensure data locality and compliance with regulations.
Implementing VMware Workspace ONE empowers our client's employees and their customers. Apps and desktops are delivered consistently, aiding IT staff who face manpower shortages. This streamlined delivery method allows new cities to be onboarded quickly and separate from other municipal entities.
The comprehensive on-premises Workspace ONE solution ensures data is stored and protected within the data center. VMware Workspace ONE UEM and Access, Horizon, App Volumes, and Dynamic Environment Manager were deployed on-premises. All components run in a highly available configuration, improving service availability.
IT staff can now achieve more with less effort, and new projects are easier to implement; this benefits both the client and their customers, as internal resources are no longer as stretched. The client currently manages physical and virtual instances of Windows 10 and Windows 11. Although the ability to manage mobile devices is available, it remains on their internal roadmap.
The entire Workspace ONE stack runs on a vSphere base layer, enhancing security. Given that the client's customers are solely cities and municipal entities, security is paramount. Measures like data segregation, tenant isolation, proxies, and firewalls are implemented at the SDDC base. These security measures are invisible to users, provided they do not impact their work. The storage backend, VMware vSAN, offers high performance and allows for easy future expansion.
End users benefit from a flexible user profile solution, short log in times, and a high-performing digital workspace. Now, access to the VDI, from any device with a Horizon client or browser, provides unprecedented flexibility. Currently, 3D workloads are being investigated, and with the next expansion, 3D workloads –powered by NVIDIA grid GPUs –may also be available to the user base. “With the new platform we can onboard new municipalities and cities faster and with less effort. Thanks to comdivision we now can do more with our staff," the CTO of the Client added.
