Virtual Applications

Virtual Applications allow existing applications to be packaged into single executable or installed as a single instance on a virtualised platform. This allows the application to be controlled and managed in a more centralised manner. The virtual applications are isolated from each other and the operating system, which allows the application to be deployed to various end point devices. The applications can also be deployed to different platforms and be upgraded without affecting the end point device, allowing for less planned downtime.

As virtual applications are controlled centrally and can be hosted in customer’s data centres, can be deployed only when required and can be targeted to specific users, organisations benefit from reduced costs and potential licensing charges. The hardware costs for the desktops will also be reduced as performance for application will be managed more efficiently by virtual servers. Centralised management improves data security and access, and businesses can better encrypt their key applications. Using the virtual application toolsets, businesses can deploy their applications instantly to users anywhere on their estate. This will reduce the time taken to deploy updates or enable new users.

Virtual Desktops

SaintGroup’ Virtual Desktop services provides businesses with a simpler and quicker method of provisioning new desktops to end users. Virtual Desktop services provide clients with full desktop experience, but with a highly available model that can be scalable for performance. As all the data is managed centrally and not on end devices, data access is more secure with backups becoming more efficient. SaintGroup uses Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) tools to deliver the virtual desktop solution.

SaintGroup’ solution separates the operating system and the desktop profile from the physical desktop machine; and instead uses a client – server model to deliver the desktop to the end user. The desktop profile and the operating system is managed and stored on virtual machines hosted in the data centre, enabling reduced downtime in event of client hardware failure. Performance can also be managed and scaled more easily for application intensive end users.

Users can access their desktops and profiles on any capable device (such as traditional desktops, laptops, smartphone and tablets) and from any desired location. As performance is managed by the virtual machines, clients do not need expensive desktop towers to delivery their applications. As end users only require basic thin client devices to access the virtual desktop, the life cycle for the client desktop infrastructure will be longer and less costly.

Virtualised Resourcing

The typical data centre still contains many physical servers, whose workloads vary widely and are dependent on user requirements and applications at any given time. This means that many servers still are not fully utilised, sitting idle. Whilst idle, these servers still consume power and environmental resources, as well as management maintenance time. Virtualised Resourcing addresses these issues by using virtualisation software to increase resource utilisation. It brings together individual physical servers to provide multiple virtual servers, each with its own operating environment and applications. This in turn provides greater application resilience from hardware issues and allows easier performance scalability.

Virtualised Resourcing can work with businesses to determine the right level and type of virtualisation (OS, Hypervisor or Para virtualisation) that meet their specific requirements. This includes detailed resource planning activities and analysis. The SaintGroup solution will work with an organisation from design to implementation of their new virtual infrastructure.

Virtualised Resourcing brings cost benefits by utilising server resources (which typically only run at 30%) allowing a more efficient allocation of processing power to applications. This also has the effect of using less energy and cooling requirements providing greener environmental credentials. As the server resources are controlled from a single management point, the operational costs for server maintenance and provisioning are also reduced. With a fully configured virtual environment it takes less time to build, commission and patch operating platforms. With applications spread across multiple physical servers, the services have improved resilience providing greater uptime.