Unpack, connect and let it work automatically
In view of ever shorter update cycles for standard software and a growing number of clients, it is becoming difficult for IT administrators to keep all PCs and notebooks in the company up to date at all times. aquatherm GmbH, world market leader in the field of plastic piping systems, solved the problem by introducing the client management system from aagon. With the acmp suite, the IT department manages all clients via a central interface, automates the initial setup of PCs and thus saves 70 percent of the time previously required for client administration.
Since its foundation in 1973, the owner-managed family company aquatherm from Attendorn has developed into the world market leader in its sector, the production of plastic piping systems, in just a few years. With around 470 employees, aquatherm operates worldwide and continues to expand. This means new requirements for IT. Five IT specialists at aquatherm ensure that the 230 desktop PCs and 90 laptops in operation perform their duties reliably. 99 percent of the devices are Windows 7 clients, and only a few of the 35 or so servers are still physical: aquatherm's applications are provided virtually via three VMware ESX hosts.
The company is living proof that client management also works without a central directory service: Windows Active Directory has never been used there in the past. The reason: aquatherm works on iSeries mainframe hardware. The Microsoft world has therefore traditionally not been overly maintained, and the Windows clients are equipped with terminal emulation. Now, however, Active Directory is to be introduced. The client management system is an important tool for supporting the implementation.
Creating space for strategic IT tasks
The reason for IT employee Thomas Nöh to look into the topic of client management was the fact that software had previously been updated more or less on demand. The IT department spent a lot of time on self-programmed auxiliary tools and still had to carry out installations on the client in a decentralized manner.
During this time, the user's client was blocked and unable to work. The IT team carried out major updates, such as from Office 2007 to 2010, at weekends so as not to disrupt users.
As the number of clients continues to increase and update cycles are becoming shorter and shorter, aquatherm was looking for a client management system that could cover administration across the board and automate the initial setup of computers. By managing all clients in a central interface, aquatherm wanted to relieve its IT department and create space for strategic tasks that cannot be automated.
Client management from a single source
After evaluating the market, the decision was made in favor of the acmp suite, "because we liked the console the best in comparison. All the functions we need are under one roof, the whole product looks very coherent and you can quickly find your way around it," says Thomas Nöh. Thanks to the quick contact with the service team and after rapid implementation, aquatherm then went live. Two people from the team work directly with the acmp suite, while three other colleagues use the helpdesk.
Initially, when the first computers were rolled out, an inventory was automatically taken using the Inventory module. Just under a year later, 260 client commands had already been created, which the IT team uses to automate all administrative and regularly recurring tasks in the computer network. It can now react quickly to critical updates and even send client commands directly from the helpdesk ticket system to the client. The flexibility of client commands is one of Thomas Nöh's "favorite features" of the acmp suite. "With enough creativity, there's nothing you can't implement with it," says the IT employee.
95 percent of all software updates are automated
aquatherm uses the complete acmp suite with Desktop Automation, Software and Security Detective, AutoMATE, OS Deployment, Retired Clients, Helpdesk and Package Cloud. Each of the modules fulfills its own specific purpose for Thomas Nöh. At the heart of the solution is acmp Desktop Automation. aquatherm uses it to automate its processes to keep software up to date and standardize clients centrally. Today, 95 percent of all software updates are initiated by the IT department using the aagon software.
Software Detective detects outdated and unwanted software and can read out uninstall commands. Security Detective checks the IT landscape for outdated virus definitions and monitors the functioning of the firewall. Using the "Retired Clients" module, the solution records decommissioned systems that would otherwise disappear from the inventory and Package Cloud independently compiles up-to-date, tested and ready-to-use software packages for standard programs - something that was previously done manually. Both the IT department and all other employees use acmp-Helpdesk to record and resolve problems transparently.
Standard setups of the computers stored
aquatherm has stored various standard computer setups in the OS Deployment job collections, depending on the area of application. Each workstation thus receives exactly the applications it needs for its specific use. This includes standard programs such as Office, Adobe Reader, Java, Flash, antivirus, etc. as well as special software such as CAD programs for the design department.
"The biggest advantage of client management is the time saved when delivering computers and handling standard updates," says Thomas Nöh, "an incredible amount of manual work for monitoring, installing and maintaining applications is no longer necessary for us because these activities are now automated."
Be it that the OS deployment with OSD carries out complete operating system setups according to company specifications or that AutoMATE enables virtually invisible installations that the software provider has not built in. "Unpack, connect power and network, let the PC work independently," is how Thomas Nöh describes working with the acmp suite.
Conclusion
Around 70 percent of the previous workload in the IT department will be eliminated by using the suite. The Windows 10 migration is the next step, which aquatherm will roll out using the acmp suite. The aagon solution will help with testing.
Thomas Nöh particularly appreciates a special client command that helps to curb the "talkativeness" of Windows 10. "This was already important to us," he says, "and the fact that aagon can already offer something here is of course convenient for us because we don't have to deal with it ourselves."
Briefly noted:
Challenge:
The centralized management of the growing client environment by using the complete acmp suite leads to significant time and cost savings at aquatherm GmbH when delivering computers and handling standard updates.
Workstations to be connected:
350
Products used:
acmp Desktop Automation, acmp Software Detective, acmp Security Detective, acmp AutoMATE, acmp OS Deployment, acmp Retired Clients, acmp Helpdesk, acmp Package Cloud
Time savings for IT administrators:
approx. 70 percent
About aquatherm
aquatherm GmbH, headquartered in Attendorn, Germany, is the global market leader in the field of plastic piping systems. The products are manufactured for a wide range of applications and dimensions, including building installations, lawn heating, shipbuilding, industrial installations, fresh water, process water, heating and cooling. The second-generation family business employs around 500 people and has representatives in 75 countries worldwide. Production takes place exclusively in Germany in 24/7 operation.
Would you like to benefit from the same advantages?
Then take advantage of our free webinars and get to know acmp.
Noch Fragen? Wir helfen Ihnen gerne weiter oder vereinbaren Sie direkt einen Termin unter:
+49 2921 789 200 oder sales@aagon.com
