It has replaced 160 standard desktops with Wyse thin clients hooked up to virtual machines running on VMware Virtual Desktop Infrastructure. The move has enabled the IT department to deploy machines faster than traditional machines and brings the advantages of central control and easier maintenance.
At the same time, the College has installed VMware infrastructure to consolidate servers in its data centres and establish a disaster recovery site.
Establishing a virtual network has helped the College reach IT deadlines and budget. In particular, it recently created a new membership examination portal, providing forms, exam results and training materials for 20,000 medical practitioners worldwide. Without virtualisation, it would have taken five times the amount of equipment to run the new portal.
“Using the VMware platform, we can deliver a better quality of service to our internal users and the College’s wider member community, said Christopher Venning, IT network and support manager, Royal College of Physicians.
Adopting the VMware platform has enabled the College to cut down on energy usage by a third a year. It has also enabled it to consolidate 45 virtual machines down to seven HP Blade servers, increasing its CPU usage from 15% to 80%.
