Aberdeen Standard Investments is standardising thousands of its Windows virtual desktops around the world via IGEL’s operating system to help simplify deployment, security and maintenance, while improving desktop performance.

Aberdeen Asset Management began the move to a virtual desktop environment four years ago. After the initial project, the next step was to change the Windows endpoint devices, which were still having to be patched and maintained.

The infrastructure team used IGEL’s Universal Desktop Converter solution to convert existing Windows PC’s to IGEL endpoints, standardising all the devices and bringing them under centralised control, while extending their life by two to three years.

IGEL used its partner Intelligere during the pilot, which concluded with savings on security, reduced requirements for patching and maintenance, and improved start-up and log-in times for users.

Intelligere now has an ongoing technical solutions agreement with Aberdeen Standard Investments for upgrade support.

The deployment also made bringing together the technology infrastructures of Aberdeen Asset Management and Standard Life much easier after the merger in 2017.

Nicholas Chase, global infrastructure project manager at Aberdeen Standard Investments, explained: “Following the merger, we were able to have two icons on the device at start-up, one pointing to Aberdeen Standard Investments and one to Standard Life’s technology infrastructure; this has been a huge benefit for our migration teams.”

This year, the business is looking to continue the IGEL endpoint deployment in the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, with the project completing in 2020.

The business is also trailing new IGEL hardware to replace the existing converted PCs when they reach end of life.

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