Computacenter helps organisations take advantage of Apple technologies as part of employee choice and digital allowance programmes to maximise staff mobility, productivity and satisfaction.

1. Bridging the gap between
consumer and workplace IT
Computacenter and Apple together

3. • • • BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CONSUMER AND WORKPLACE IT • • •
Computacenter helps organisations take advantage
of Apple technologies as part of employee choice
and digital allowance programmes to maximise staff
mobility, productivity and satisfaction.
Consumer technologies are getting smarter and faster. And users
want to integrate this pace and performance into their working lives.
Devices, such as the iPad and the iPhone, are at the forefront of
this collision in the workplace between consumer and corporate
technologies. As a result, organisations need to be ready to embrace
– and support - Apple solutions as part of the enterprise IT portfolio.
Technology can be an important differentiator for potential employees,
and in particular top graduate talent. Equipping the workplace with the
right devices is crucial to maintaining a productive environment and
satisfied workforce.
To meet user expectations and close the gap between corporate and
consumer devices, organisations are increasingly adopting employee
choice and digital allowance programmes. With benefits such as
reduced training and lower support requirements, such schemes can
be good news for both employer and employee.
Apple crosses the corporate chasm
Consumers have been quick to recognise the rich functionality
and flexibility of Apple’s mobile devices. Thanks to their seamless
connectivity and reduced susceptibility to viruses, more and
more organisations are also recognising that Apple devices and
applications have a role to play in today’s contemporary workplace.
The iPad in particular can prove a real differentiator, with
organisations developing bespoke applications that enhance
employees’ ability to work remotely or demonstrate products to
customers via a familiar and intuitive interface.
With Apple technologies’ increasing popularity in corporate
deployments, and particularly under employee choice
schemes, IT departments need to ensure they have the
right skills and services in place to support both devices
and their users.
They also need to ensure that Apple devices are managed
in line with existing policies and processes to ensure a
consistent user experience and prevent the formation of a
new support silo.
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4. • • • BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CONSUMER AND WORKPLACE IT • • •
Seamless support across hybrid environments End-to-end lifecycle management
Computacenter has been helping organisations source, We provide out-tasked support and end-to-end managed
implement and manage Apple technologies for more than services that integrate with existing services to deliver a
25 years. Our services have been specifically developed comparable experience for Apple and PC users alike.
to enable IT departments to effectively manage hybrid
workplace environments We run an ISO 9000 accredited Swap Centre, which is fully
equipped with spare Apple parts and devices to ensure
The difference in operating systems does not need to be users experience minimum downtime in the event of a
a barrier – we can provide a corporate service for all your problem.
technologies.
Our mobile device management service is particularly well
Our Source and Deploy services enable a centralised supply suited to Apple notebooks and the iPad when used by
chain for mixed PC and Apple environments. We combine remote workers. When organisations identify a requirement
flexible commercials and transparent pricing with stringent or demand for the iPad there is often concern from corporate
service level agreements and personalised procurement customers around security.
options. For example, via our Computacenter Connect web
shop, organisations can create a bespoke catalogue that Computacenter is frequently asked about the best way to
includes the latest Apple technologies and rapidly access ensure that corporate and legislative security adherence
product information, stock availability and custom pricing for is achieved. We work with customers to fully understand
a variety of workplace solutions. requirements before recommending a middleware partner
based on technical and commercial understanding of the
Our Supply Chain services, which include asseting, output and experience required.
configuration and on-site delivery, reduce the time to
desk and value for Apple devices, which will enable your At the end of the device lifecycle, we will remarket and
organisation to achieve a faster return on investment. recycle your Apple hardware through our specialist
subsidiary RDC in accordance with environment regulations
As well as assisting with the sourcing and deployment of and often at zero cost.
Apple technologies on a corporate basis, Computacenter
has the expertise to facilitate the introduction of employee By combining feature-rich Apple technologies with
choice or bring your own schemes. Computacenter’s industrialised and integrated IT services,
organisations will be fully equipped to support the
We understand the risks that need to be addressed when contemporary workforce of today and tomorrow.
personal devices permeate the workplace and will help you
establish the right policies and processes.
Computacenter can also help with designing and deploying
a virtual desktop infrastructure, which is often a key enabler
for such programmes.
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5. • • • BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CONSUMER AND WORKPLACE IT • • •
Govern, gain, grow
Computacenter enables organisations to take full advantage of A long-term relationship: Apple
Apple technologies and deliver cost-effective and low-risk employee and Computacenter
choice programmes. Our skills and services will help you:
• omputacenter is an Apple Authorised
C
Remove cost and complexity Systems Integrator
£ All our Source and Deploy services are based on
industrialised processes that safeguard quality while • e are an Apple Authorised Reseller,
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Apple Authorised Service Provider and
minimising cost. Centrally procuring your desktop,
Cost Reduction laptop and mobile technologies via a single supplier Apple Authorised Finance Provider
such as Computacenter will reduce administrative • e have Apple approved service centres
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overheads and ensure predictable outcomes and in Hatfield in the UK and Kerpen in
transparent pricing. From directory integration and Germany
user authentication to security and backup, we enable
organisations to make the most of Apple’s high- • ur 2,000 strong engineering force,
O
performance solutions to keep IT costs and effort low. which supports more than 1.5 million
user devices on behalf of our customers,
includes a number of accredited field
Maximise business agility engineers
Our web-enabled procurement processes,
e-commerce integration and supply chain services
help ensure rapid provisioning of Apple technologies
Growth /
Business Change to new staff, which will facilitate growth and change.
We will help you take advantage of the full features and
functionality of Apple devices to enable your staff to
work smarter and faster, regardless of their location.
Increase staff productivity and satisfaction
Enterprise-standard support will help maximise uptime
and user satisfaction. By including iPhone, iPad and
notebooks in the corporate IT landscape, organisations
Access to
Skilled Resources will be able to recruit and retain more talented
employees who will help drive business success.
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6. • • • BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CONSUMER AND WORKPLACE IT • • •
Apple Technologies in Action
Desktops Notebooks Tablets
Prime products: Prime products: Prime product:
• ac mini: Small and light, the Mac
M • MacBook Air: The ultimate everyday • Pad: Ideal for working on the move,
i
mini is based on the latest dual-core notebook, the MacBook Air features the iPad features a dual-core A5X
Intel Core i5 and i7 processors solid-state storage so boots up in chip, is 9.4mm thin with a 10-hour
• Mac: The all-in-one iMac features a
i seconds battery life and weighs just over 650
quad-core processor and exceptional • acBook Pro: With state-of-the-art
M grams
graphics with LED-backlit display processors, game-changing graphics
• ac Pro: The most powerful and
M and high-speed I/O, the MacBook Innovative features:
quickest Mac, the Mac Pro has up to Pro offers exceptional performance • wo cameras for FaceTime and HD
T
four cores of processing power and video recording
comes with solid-state drive options Innovative features: • i-Fi and cellular ensures users are
W
• Multi-touch trackpad always connected
Innovative features: • ideo mirroring enables instant display
V
• Wireless keyboard and mouse
• Wireless keyboard and mouse • FaceTime camera and microphone on an HDTV or projector
• Thunderbolt high-speed data transfer • MagSafe power connector
• Advanced graphics processor Business benefits:
• mbient light sensor on MacBook
A
• aceTime camera and microphone
F Pro to automatically adjust brightness • nstant-on capability eliminates boot-
I
on iMac thereby conserving power and up time, which maximises productivity
relieving eyestrain • portfolio of more than 140,000
A
Business benefits: applications provides unrivalled
• ompatibility with Microsoft Office,
C Business benefits: functionality for a range of common
ability to share files with PC users • attery lasts up to seven hours on a
B business tasks as well as industry-
and the ability to run the Windows single charge to enhance mobility specific requirements
operating system or virtualise PC • atteries can be recharged up to
B • espoke applications can be easily
B
desktops will simplify the transition 1,000 times, which is enough for and economically developed to
between PC and Mac devices five years of typical usage, which support new business initiatives and
• traightforward networking and
S equates to nearly three times the customer offerings
integration with devices and lifespan of typical notebook batteries
peripherals, eg. printers and external thereby minimising need to invest in
hard drives, minimises set-up time replacements
and ongoing IT management costs • esistance to PC viruses safeguards
R
• esistance to PC viruses reduces risk
R security
of business disruption, protects data
and safeguards intellectual property
Key Computacenter services Key Computacenter services Related Computacenter services
• Product evaluation • Centralised procurement • Product supply
• Rapid standardised procurement • Integrated supply chain • Mobile device management
• Configuration and logistics • Mobile device management • eployment services and Swap
D
• End-to-end support • End-to-end support service
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7. • • • BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN CONSUMER AND WORKPLACE IT • • •
References
Eversheds lawyers stay connected with the iPad
International law firm Eversheds has signed a deal which could eventually see all of the
firms lawyers move on to Apple iPads. In a collaboration with IT partners Computacenter
and Citrix, the firm intends to explore how the introduction of the iPads to the business
can help its lawyers to work more flexibly.
As part of Eversheds’ culture to drive innovation through the business and the firms
ethos of delivering first-class client service excellence, it is the firm’s intention that the
iPad pilot will explore new ways of ensuring that Eversheds lawyers can not only stay
connected to clients but access the data they need 24x7.
The pioneering initiative will allow lawyers to review documents, host virtual meetings,
arrange schedules and access mail and business intelligence from wherever they may
be in the world. Eversheds CIO, Paul Caris said: “The iPad is an incredibly intuitive
device which will be popular with our lawyers. With Citrix technology we expect to
deliver key applications to lawyers including email, document management and client
relationship management systems whenever and wherever they need to.”
Computacenter provides an integrated Swap service for the iPad estate and also
some security parameters via Mobile Device Management to enable remote wipe and
sandboxing of information.
Broadcasting company reduces support costs and attracts
top talent with new Apple notebook environment
The customer’s ability to provide high-quality broadcasting services depends upon
the availability of its IT systems. More than 1,000 members of staff rely on Apple
computers to carry out their daily activities. The organisation’s ageing laptop estate,
however, frequently caused downtime and was expensive to support.
As a result, the customer needed to migrate staff to new Apple devices and integrate
them with Google applications. The project had to be completed with minimal
disruption and in a short timeframe. To ensure the success of the project, the customer
enlisted the help of long-term IT partner Computacenter. Computacenter ran an
e-tender to find the most cost-effective deployment, migration and training available
to the customer and managed the transition to the Apple devices using its Desktop
Technology Optimisation (DTO) approach.
Nearly 1,000 notebooks were replaced over a six-week period, with a success rate of
99.7 per cent, underpinned by excellent user feedback. The legacy devices were then
remarketed and recycled by Computacenter's specialist IT asset disposal arm RDC.
The new standardised Apple estate will help the customer recruit top talent, reduce
support costs and decrease the number of laptop outages to improve staff productivity.
More information
To find out more about how Computacenter can help your organisation exploit the benefits of Apple technologies,
contact your Computacenter account manager or call 0800 014 7420.
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8. Computacenter (UK) Ltd
Hatfield Avenue
Hatfield
Hertfordshire AL10 9TW
United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)1707 631000
F: +44 (0)1707 639966
www.computacenter.com
Computacenter is a leading independent provider of IT
infrastructure services and solutions. From desktop to
datacenter, we help our customers minimise the cost and
maximise the value of IT to their businesses. We can advise
organisations on IT strategy, implement the most appropriate
technology, optimise its performance, and manage elements
of our customers’ infrastructures on their behalf.
Computacenter operates in the UK, Germany, France and the
Benelux countries, as well as providing transnational services
across the globe.
© Computacenter 2012 Version 2