Raworths LLP

“The best engineer I have ever worked with”

Raworths LLP improved their business by moving from a PC infrastructure to a centralised virtual desktop infrastructure using Citrix. 

Read on to find out how Axess Systems worked in partnership with Raworths LLP to help increase their billable hours, improve access and collaborations, protect their data, reduce risk, and make the life of their IT Team a little less stressful. 

The benefits Raworths LLP achieved by replacing their old PC desktop infrastructure with a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure using Citrix from Axess Systems.

Increased Billable Hours:

By optimising the speed of log in times using Citrix XenApp, Raworths LLP, have increased the potential amount of billable hours available without adding further headcount. 

Enabled Secure Collaboration:

By implementing Citrix ShareFile, Raworths LLP enable their users to collaborate and access files from any authenticated device whilst in the office or on the go, securely. 

Enabled Secure Access to Apps, and Data:

By using Citrix NetScaler to authenticate access to their ICT infrastructure, Raworths LLP can control which users connect to certain apps and files. 

Improved Data Protection:

By removing their reliance on securing endpoint PCs, Raworths LLP can now centrally store and manage apps and data, keeping them shielded from leaks and attack. Raworths LLP now has the ability to restrict saving, copying, printing or moving files. 

Reduced Business Risk:

By utilising Veeam alongside their Citrix deployment, Raworths LLP has an offsite backup facility which can be utilised in the event of any issues with the primary site. 

Improved IT Management:

By centralising the IT infrastructure, the IT Team now have far better control and visibility than ever before. 

Ongoing Peace of Mind:

By using Axess Systems as part of their ongoing support service, Raworths LLP has a trusted partner who will ensure they continue to get the very best return on their IT investment. 

About Raworths LLP

Raworths LLP is an innovative firm constantly looking to improve the way they deliver services to their clients. As a single centre firm, it is fiercely loyal to serving private and commercial clients in Harrogate and North Yorkshire.

Based in Harrogate for over 125 years, they have no plans to dilute this offering by opening offices in other locations. Instead, they focus on providing a real alternative to city firms, by delivering outstanding customer service. Constant commitment to improving the business for the benefit of their clients. This focus includes a commitment to delivering continual business improvement. And it was through this process which led it to identify their desktop PC infrastructure was in need of replacement and enhancement.

Kicking like a swan

Whilst it was not affecting their clients; the management of this IT infrastructure was becoming increasingly time-consuming, and stressful. Hardware issues were becoming more frequent, which placed increasing demands on IT staff.  

“It was very much like the swan metaphor” commented Daniel Dunn, IT Manager at Raworths LLP. “Whilst for our clients and users they had a seamless experience, behind the scenes it was taking a lot of hard work, often in stressful situations to keep things running that way”. 

“I make no apology that I asked Axess  Systems lots of questions during this  initial phase. I wanted to be 100% sure we had the right solution for our firm”, commented Daniel.  

“Every time I raised a question they took the time to answer it. As well as their inhouse technical specialists, they also provided access to technical specialists from the different vendors, which made up my solution. This really impressed. I also felt Axess Systems had a family feel to its business, rather than a bland corporate, which I liked a lot.” 

The right way forward 

Making the leap from PCs to virtual desktop infrastructure with a Citrix  Proof of Concept  Moving from a PC based infrastructure  to a virtual desktop infrastructure is  a major change.  

Understandably, Daniel and the Partners at Raworths LLP wanted to be sure the proposed system would not only meet all their requirements, but the implementation phase would not cause any problems for users or their clients.  

“It was important I had a clear understanding of how I would manage the solution, as well as proving to the business it was the right way forward” he explained. 

In order to deliver this proof, Axess Systems implemented a Proof of Concept (POC) to a set of trial users. Enabling a test group of users to prove it worked before committing to the final project. 

The PoC allowed several users to prove the technology was right for the business before committing to the new environment. Application performance was measured to gain an insight into the user experience, and the ease of managing the technology was also assessed. 

The results of these tests meant that Daniel and Raworths LLP had the facts and the confidence to move forward to a full implementation. 

Daniel explained: “The PoC was a vital step for me and the firm. Seeing firsthand the benefits which our proposed VDI solution could bring to the firm was the moment I knew 100% this was the right way forward for the business”. 

Implementing a Citrix infrastructure with confidence

Following the results and feedback from the Proof of Concept, Axess Systems used this information to further refine, and develop the final design. All of the infrastructure for the solution was hosted on-site at Raworths LLP, with Veeam providing off-site back-ups for back-up and business continuity purposes.  

The final design consisted of: 

• Citrix NetScaler Enterprise VPX
• Cisco Switching Infrastructure
• Citrix XenApp
• Dell PowerEdge R630 Servers
• Dell Wyse 5020 Cloud Clients
• Veeam Availability Suite
• 360°Support from Axess Systems

Axess Systems provided the full end to-end professional services for every aspect of the implementation. This included: design, development, implementation, user acceptance training, support and handover. Throughout the implementation, Axess Systems worked closely with Raworths to make sure all their requirements were met. 

Daniel commented, “The consultant from Axess Systems who I worked very closely with to install our solution I feel is the best engineer I have ever worked with. As well as being technically excellent he cared a lot about his work and helping. He is very experienced and knew a lot of ways to fine tune our new environment so that it runs quickly, reliably and securely”