Modern workplace, virtualization and secure remote access
HTM Personenvervoer worked until recently with a classic ICT infrastructure, consisting of desktop PCs, servers and applications installed on them. To meet the organization’s current and future requirements, the company has deployed a virtual workplace environment. PQR played an important role in this process.
About HTM
HTM Personenvervoer NV (HTM) is a Dutch transport company and based in The Hague. HTM operates public transport with streetcars and buses in the Haaglanden region. Since 2006, HTM has also operated light rail together with RET under the name RandstadRail. HTM expects significant growth in passenger numbers in the coming years. By providing good public transportation that runs frequently, offers more space and is accessible to all travelers, the company intends to actively respond to this growth. HTM employs a total of about 2,200 employees, about 700 of whom work in office positions. The latter group uses the new infrastructure on a daily basis. Other employees are mainly “driving personnel.” They make occasional use of the ICT facilities. HTM has ten locations and two service stores.
Modern digital workplace environment
The existing workplace environment at HTM Passenger Transport was in need of replacement; the desktops were outdated and this brought with it limitations in deploying new versions of applications. Steven Zeelenberg, Manager IT at HTM: “In early 2014, we needed a working office automation environment for some 500 employees at three new locations. This was to be followed by the rollout for 8 smaller locations and the completion of automation for non-office staff.” HTM Personenvervoer wanted to realize a modern digital workplace environment that meets the organization’s current and future requirements. Zeelenberg: “This new workplace environment had to offer employees a basic ICT environment that would provide them with optimal support in carrying out their work. We also wanted to further digitize business processes, improve quality and risk management in ICT services, and increase the flexibility of ICT support. With these measures, we believe we can optimally facilitate future growth in terms of ICT.”
The Test
At an earlier stage, global designs for the layout of the new ICT infrastructure had been prepared in consultation with HTM and a number of external parties. To test these, HTM initially awarded three parties a partial contract. “On May 1, 2013, we asked PQR to review the already prepared Program of Requirements, the overall technical design for the new workstation infrastructure and the design for a new WiFi network, among other things, for accuracy and completeness,” Zeelenberg said. “If necessary, PQR was allowed to indicate why and how it would implement the requested functionality in a different way. As part of the partial assignment provided, a baseline measurement report containing the description of the old ICT infrastructure, a technical design, test plan and migration plan was prepared.”
Case study
Phased introduction of new workstations Following this, a bid for the implementation and supervision of the overall project had to be prepared. HTM has divided the overall project into two phases. Phase 1 consisted of the rollout at the Central Station location of 250 workstations. Phase 2 from rolling out 240 workstations at Hollands Spoor location and 230 workstations at De Werf 30. PQR submitted the best price/quality offer and was allowed to execute the project. The remaining seven locations involved significantly fewer workstations. These were delivered by agreement by HTM itself or by PQR. After the contract was awarded, a XenApp workstation infrastructure was built. A workstation management environment was also built using RES Workspace Manager and Microsoft SCCM for management of workstations and Thin Clients. For chat and presence, Microsoft Lync 2013 has been deployed. A server virtualization platform based on Hyper-V was set up and applications were virtualized. Users were then migrated to the new infrastructure. PQR assisted HTM Passenger Transport in the procurement of the workplace hardware and provided expertise for its final implementation.
HTM has been working with the new workplace environment since February 2014;
The first 300 newly equipped workstations at the Central Station and Hollands Spoor locations went live in February 2014. Zeelenberg: “The significant improvement in workstation startup times was striking. About a hundred applications were virtualized and it became possible to remotely access workstations securely. During 2014, all workstations were migrated to the new ICT infrastructure.” He continues: “The cooperation with PQR has gone well. HTM and PQR are now discussing the realization of an active-active twin data center concept. Some of HTM’s core applications may eventually be virtualized and the possibility of developing specific applications for driving personnel is being considered. Updates to Microsoft applications are also being considered.”
Problem
- HTM’s ICT environment was outdated and was causing limitations in the deployment of new versions of applications;
- Office workers could not work mobile because infrastructure and applications were not virtualized and securely available;
- HTM already had plans and proposals for parts of the infrastructure in place from other external parties, but needed a fresh perspective and a concrete implementation plan.
The PQR approach
- The existing ICT environment was replaced with a modern virtualized workplace environment based on Microsoft Windows Server 2012 with Hyper-V 2012, Citrix XenApp 6.5, RES Workspace Manager Silver Edition and applications virtualized with Microsoft App-V;
- Microsoft SCCM 2012 is used for management, software distribution and patch management;
- Microsoft Lync 2013 is the new internal collaboration platform.
Results
- HTM has a new ICT infrastructure;
- All office employees, spread across 10 locations, work in a new and modern workplace;
- Startup times are significantly improved;
- A large number of applications are virtualized;
- Workstations can now be securely accessed remotely.