Case Study Unico Data
Unico Data AG was founded in 1991 and specializes in the fields of hosting and operations. As a partner, Unico accompanies businesses through the entire process, from strategy to implementation. From full outsourcing to operations, Unico develops efficient solutions together with its customers, accompanying them sustainably and in the long term. To achieve its goals, Unico employs around 50 members of staff who strive to provide excellent services every day, whether at its headquarters in the canton of Bern (Switzerland) or its location in Canada.
Background
Before Unico began generating its WIM files using Syntaro WimAsAService, images for older operating systems such as Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows Server 2012 R2 were generated using a proprietary MDT infrastructure.
The main problem with generating WIM files in this way was the high number of Windows updates required. When combined with frequent changes in the field of image generation and the associated ongoing development of expertise, this strategy demanded too high a proportion of Unico’s resources.
As Unico planned the introduction of Windows Server 2016, it faced a choice between modernizing its own MDT infrastructure and finding a more suitable and more efficient solution.
baseVISION had been aware of this problem for a long time and has developed a cloud-based web solution for the creation of WIM files. A consultation gave us the opportunity to persuade Unico of the advantages of Syntaro WimAsAService as a solution.
Solution
The Syntaro WimAsAService solution automatically generates WIM files for Unico each month. This service enables Unico to easily configure WIM files via a website according to its individual requirements. Furthermore, these files are generated in the baseVISION infrastructure and Unico can download them via a web browser at any time and from anywhere.
Around 80 servers currently use images from WimAsAService. These run on various operating systems, including Windows Server 2016, Standard (with and without MUI), and Datacenter and Datacenter Core. These servers function as Hyper-V cluster nodes, terminal servers, application servers and infrastructure servers for domain controllers and SQL servers.
Solution
The Syntaro WimAsAService solution automatically generates WIM files for Unico each month. This service enables Unico to easily configure WIM files via a website according to its individual requirements. Furthermore, these files are generated in the baseVISION infrastructure and Unico can download them via a web browser at any time and from anywhere.
Around 80 servers currently use images from WimAsAService. These run on various operating systems, including Windows Server 2016, Standard (with and without MUI), and Datacenter and Datacenter Core. These servers function as Hyper-V cluster nodes, terminal servers, application servers and infrastructure servers for domain controllers and SQL servers.
Improvements
Unico Data describes WimAsAService as an easy-to-use platform for the creation of customized images. The use of simple scripts to expand the service allows individual adjustments to be made without specialist expertise, while automatic generation and the option of checking the configurations in the log significantly reduces Unico’s workload and guarantees the quality of the images at the same time. This results in considerable resource savings, as less time and input from Unico’s own IT infrastructure are required for image generation. In addition, Unico no longer has to maintain the MDT infrastructure and its processes are now more reliable.
«WimAsAService allows us to focus on what really matters when it comes to deployment in our data centers.»
Unico Data AG
Prospects
Unico describes the collaboration with baseVISION as straightforward, friendly and quick in the pre-sales, sales and implementation phases. What’s more, questions were answered rapidly and to Unico’s complete satisfaction. Feature requests were taken into consideration and often quickly implemented, further strengthening the effective collaboration between Unico and baseVISION.
Unico’s future plans to use WimAsAService on further devices involve new or additional servers being installed exclusively with Windows Server 2016 via WimAsAService images. An additional image will also be ordered when Unico’s customers are approaching a Windows 10 migration.
Most beneficial Microsoft technologies used
- Windows Server 2016
- Windows 7
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2012 R2
- Azure SaaS
What are your benefits?
Save Money
You save money, because you don’t need to build and maintain your own infrastructure and expertise.
Documentation
With each WIM file you receive an extensive and detailed documentation, which is included in this Image. This documentation can be used to compare two image versions and see the differences in a few seconds.
Automation
Your Image is always installed on the same highly automated way. In the background, we use technologies recommended by the world’s most respected deployment specialists (MDT, PowerShell, etc.). We also implement all the bugfixes which will help to generate your WIM Files smoothly.
Customization
You can create custom-configured WIM files in a simple manner. You have the possibility to upload your own applications, but you are also able to use applications provided by baseVISION.