Case Study
Streamlined packaging accelerates deployments and increases security for leading UK university
Background
Streamlining app access on campus
When this London university found itself struggling with the complexity and inefficiency of managing and delivering hundreds of software applications to thousands of students across multiple campuses, it turned to Algiz Technology for help. Over a three-year partnership, Algiz Technology transformed the university’s application packaging and deployment process, making it faster, more secure, and far easier to manage.
Challenges
Complexity and incompatibility
The university’s IT team faced a perfect storm of challenges:
- A complex software landscape: The university relied on a wide range of applications, including virtual learning environments, multimedia teaching tools, student information systems, and library management platforms. Each came with its own technical quirks, dependencies, and licensing hurdles.
- Compatibility hurdles: Many legacy applications simply weren’t built for the latest operating systems or hardware, causing headaches during deployment.
- Demand for speed: With thousands of devices and users, the university needed to roll out applications quickly and reliably.
- Security concerns: Application vulnerabilities and improper packaging posed risks to the university’s data and network integrity.
The IT team needed a partner who could bring order to the chaos, without slowing things down.
Solution
A comprehensive, hands-on approach to packaging
1. Deep-dive assessment
The project commenced with a comprehensive analysis of the university’s software environment. Algiz Technology catalogued every application, creating a clear inventory and identifying unique requirements for each one.
2. Tailored packaging strategies
No two applications were alike, so Algiz Technology developed custom packaging plans:
- Advanced tools: For software with complex dependencies, advanced packaging tools were used to resolve conflicts and streamline installation.
- Legacy support: Compatibility testing and optimisation ensured even older applications ran smoothly on new systems.
- Built-in security: Encryption and access control were integrated into each package, safeguarding against unauthorised access or tampering.
3. Automated, efficient packaging
By leveraging automated workflows, Algiz Technology significantly accelerated the packaging process, ensuring consistency and minimising manual errors.
4. Rigorous testing
Every packaged application underwent a comprehensive battery of tests, including functionality, compatibility, performance, and security, within the university’s test environment, ensuring everything worked as intended before deployment.
5. Seamless deployment and support
Algiz Technology didn’t just hand over the software; they helped deploy it campus-wide, provided technical support, and trained university IT staff on ongoing management.
Implementation in action
The process was smooth and transparent:
- The university uploaded source files to a secure SharePoint portal.
- Algiz Technology accessed, packaged, and uploaded the finished applications to the university’s Intune portal.
- Each package was tested on university machines to ensure flawless installation and removal.
- After successful user acceptance testing, applications were rolled out to end users.
Results
Measurable improvements across the board
- Automated processes slashed deployment times, letting the university roll out updates and new software quickly across campus.
- Nearly all applications, old and new, worked seamlessly on the university’s current hardware and operating systems.
- Integrated encryption and access controls dramatically reduced the risk of unauthorised access and tampering.
- A comprehensive software inventory enabled efficient, compliant asset management.
- Streamlined processes and fewer compatibility issues led to significant annual savings on software management.
Looking ahead
The university’s IT leaders praised Algiz Technology’s expertise and dedication, noting that the partnership “significantly improved the efficiency and effectiveness of our software management.”
Buoyed by these results, the university plans to continue working with Algiz Technology to further optimise its application packaging and deployment processes in the years ahead.
