Syndicate 386
Lloyd’s Syndicate improves productivity and responsiveness for remote access to data
Company Profile
The Syndicate, part of Limit Underwriting Limited, operates within the Lloyd’s insurance market. It’s the largest syndicate within Limit Underwriting Limited, managing over 40% of its capacity, and has multiple offices across the UK, Ireland and Australia. Founded in 1974, The Syndicate specialises in non-marine and non-US liability insurance.
Customer's Business Issues
The initial challenge was to work on improving access to business applications for The Syndicate's disparate users. Through scoping discussions, Logicalis also identified a strong requirement for redirecting its in-house IT resource away from routine system maintenance to business critical project development.
The Syndicate also consolidated their technologies and centralised on HP's market-leading ProLiant range of servers. In addition, The Syndicate was looking for a trusted partner to work with on its longer-term IT strategies.
The Syndicate needed to provide a more efficient and available route to applications for its mobile employees based around the world. Therefore, The Syndicate needed a remote access solution that would enable secure entry to its applications. Ideally, this would be available through a standard Internet browser without comprising quality or system security.
The Syndicate wanted to focus its in-house IT resources on business-critical application development rather than operational tasks. To meet the needs of the business, they required an IT services provider that could deliver the necessary product and services elements across a range of technologies. The chosen partner would also be able to assist in supporting their existing hardware investment.
John Whillans, IT Director at The Syndicate explains, “We were looking for a single source of IT infrastructure, expertise and services. This included Citrix skills and the required support capabilities. Logicalis had everything we needed.”
The Syndicate also had to find a company offering the right balance between scale and personalised service. “If an organisation is too big, you risk being undervalued as small fry, but if it's too small then you worry about security,” says Whillans. “Logicalis fitted the bill, especially as we were looking for a longer-term IT support relationship.”
The Logicalis Solution
Logicalis worked with The Syndicate to define their business and system requirements. They recommended thin client architecture based on Citrix technology, which would provide the simplicity, remote access and manageability they sought.
After an initial period of consultancy, the two companies worked together on the remote access portal. “Logicalis was able to offer a bridge between where we were, and where we wanted to go, as a partner,” Whillans explains.
Logicalis implemented a Citrix Secure Gateway to enable remote access through the company firewall to its new Citrix environment. Users can gain access through any configured laptop and The Syndicate thin client terminals, as well as any other Internet access point.
The Syndicate has gained the flexibility to collaborate securely whenever and from wherever required. Whillans says, “The Citrix interface is excellent. It's user friendly and delivers the same access offsite as in-house. This has definitely made us more efficient and agile and thus more competitive in our market.”
Logicalis, while sourcing and supplying the equipment, also provided support services and consultancy; implementing and testing the new infrastructure and providing technical end-user support when required. An ongoing process of providing professional services and knowledge transfer was delivered via Logicalis' unique Training Select and Service Select programmes.
These are both points-based systems that enable customers to pre-purchase training and service ‘points' which are then redeemed against Logicalis' training courses or professional services as required. The pre-pay structure is an attractive way of delivering these services to the business. “Logicalis is extremely flexible about how and when we spend our points, it is a very effective solution for us,” Whillans says.
Why Logicalis?
“What started out as a specific project has turned into a complete partnership. Logicalis takes care of whatever we need – when our Manchester office moved, Logicalis handled everything, from cabling to air-conditioning and furnishings! The people at Logicalis have often gone that extra mile – well beyond normal expectation and indeed beyond the contract. When an issue arises, we just say ‘Can you sort it?' and Logicalis has always been able to do so.”
“We are looking forward to working with Logicalis as our ongoing IT resource partner, and will look to them to add value in future strategic projects.”
