University College London (UCL) in the UK is planning to deploy AppSense User Virtualization suite as part of its large-scale desktop transformation project to migrate of its current IT systems.

Under the desktop transformation project, UCL will create of a new Citrix datacentre stack as well as the upgrade over 5,000 Windows XP physical desktops to Windows 7.

Deploying AppSense Performance Manager will enable UCL to optimise CPU, memory and storage, delivering enhanced performance from both legacy hardware and new high density Citrix XenApp environments.

The project will enable UCL to manage its physical, virtual desktop infrastructure and will also enable students to use their personal devices to access their desktop, applications and data from anywhere on or off the UCL campus.

Initially, AppSense will be used to aid migration of user profiles and data stored within legacy environments and upon completing the migration, AppSense will be used to manage new desktop environments, including application policy and user profiles, for up to 33,000 users across the University.

AppSense Application Manager can lock down and manage services, applications within various desktop environments and provide the University’s IT department with granular control.

Further, AppSense Performance Manager will ensure UCL’s desktops are protected from destabilisation due to resource-hungry applications.

UCL Project Desktop architect Steve Atkinson said AppSense user virtualisation aids the transformation of existing XP physical desktops to Windows 7 and implementation of a new Citrix environment.

"AppSense will enable us to easily manage our desktop and application portfolio, while providing our staff and students with a single, personalised user experience wherever they are, and in future from any device to meet ever increasing Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) demands," Atkinson said.