CollinsWoerman

Architectural Firm Reduces Time Spent on Routine IT Tasks by Up to 90 Percent

CollinsWoerman, known for its innovative and award-winning building designs, was due to replace its aging computers. For greater overall efficiency, it upgraded to the Windows Vista® operating system. With its new software, the IT department has reduced time spent on routine administrative tasks by up to 90 percent, and architects, designers, planners, and other staff are experiencing significant productivity gains from increased performance and ease of use.

Business Needs

For 20 years, CollinsWoerman has delivered innovative architectural and design solutions to its clients. The company’s portfolio includes the University of Washington Benjamin Hall Interdisciplinary Research Building, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute Building, Fatigue Technology corporate headquarters, and more.

To produce successful designs and to manage projects efficiently, the firm places high importance on providing employees with tools that empower them to do their best work. To this end, the IT department strives to spend more of its time and budget on strategic work rather than on time-consuming administrative tasks and help-desk support.

With Windows Vista, we have more time to implement new tools and technologies that help our company deliver the leading-edge design and project management we’re known for.  John Bartelink IT Director CollinsWoerman

When the firm’s computers reached the end of their life cycle and were going to be replaced, CollinsWoerman considered this to be a good time to upgrade to the latest operating system. The firm was also considering investing in a disk imaging solution that would help its IT department efficiently deploy operating systems and applications to new computers, and easily reimage portable computers in its loaner pool. “We wanted to ensure that we were upgrading our desktop infrastructure with hardware and software tools that would help the IT department work as efficiently as possible, and would help our people keep up the high level of cross-disciplinary teamwork that is core to our success,” explains John Bartelink, IT Director at CollinsWoerman.

Solution

With the help of Northwest Computer Support, CollinsWoerman evaluated disk imaging solutions from vendors such as ScriptLogic and Symantec. Northwest Computer Support also introduced CollinsWoerman to imaging technology included in the Windows Vista® operating system, a file-based disk imaging format called Windows® Imaging Format (WIM). A Microsoft® Gold Certified Partner, Northwest Computer Support has helped businesses optimize their IT infrastructures for more than 30 years.

“We’re a big proponent of Windows Vista image-based deployment,” says Chris Butler, Vice President of Consulting Services at Northwest Computer Support. “For companies planning an upgrade to a new operating system, it makes sense to go with Windows Vista—it means they don’t have to make the additional investment in a separate imaging solution.”

The IT department tested Windows Vista on several computers and found that not only was it compatible with the firm’s line-of-business applications such as AutoCAD 2008, but “there was also a marked increase in the performance of our key applications,” says Bartelink. The firm decided to upgrade from the Windows XP Professional operating system to Windows Vista Enterprise, and in early 2007 conducted a network-based deployment to 155 desktop and portable computers.

New and expanded Group Policy settings in Windows Vista give Bartelink’s team granular control over users’ computer settings including security, power management, and device installation. “This and other features are already helping us centralize and streamline administration,” he says.

Bartelink adds that CollinsWoerman employees experienced a smooth transition to the new operating system: “They quickly became accustomed to the graphical enhancements of Windows Vista and were back to work, with all of their familiar applications and shortcuts in place, in a matter of hours.”

Benefits

By upgrading to the latest operating system, CollinsWoerman has streamlined many IT processes and enhanced the user experience to help employees work more efficiently.

Reduced Costs

By upgrading to Windows Vista, CollinsWoerman doesn’t have to invest in a third-party imaging solution. Because Windows Imaging Format is hardware independent, the IT department can use the same image for different hardware configurations, simplifying administration and reducing the amount of disk space needed to store images.

“We can also update images offline—a huge timesavings. Windows Vista has helped us reduce time spent on imaging tasks by 75 percent,” says Bartelink. He estimates that with all computers running Windows Vista, his department will spend 15 percent less time on desktop management.

With Windows Vista enhanced power management features, CollinsWoerman also expects to reduce its electrical bill.

IT Timesavings

Bartelink’s department has reduced time spent on routine administrative tasks, which frees staff to focus on higher-value work. For example, “we’re spending 90 percent less time managing access to ActiveX® controls,” says Bartelink. “With Windows Vista, we have more time to implement new tools and technologies that help our company deliver the leading-edge design and project management we’re known for.”

The Windows Internet Explorer® 7 browser in Windows Vista has helped CollinsWoerman improve the security and stability of its network. “Protected Mode in Internet Explorer gives us better protection against viruses and malware,” says Bartelink. “That, combined with the fact that it makes users more aware of what certain Web sites are trying to do, is really going to reduce calls to the help desk.”

Better User Experience

CollinsWoerman employees have boosted their efficiency by taking advantage of usability enhancements in Windows Vista. “Built-in search in all areas of the operating system allows for instant access to information,” says Bartelink. “Also, the ability to view files without having to open a program saves time.” Bartelink adds that CollinsWoerman can add gadgets for Windows Sidebar that will help users easily connect to the company network and Wi-Fi networks.

In testing, CollinsWoerman experienced significant application performance gains. Butler says, “The same AutoCAD process that took 30 seconds on the old operating system took 7 seconds with Windows Vista, on the same hardware.” Bartelink adds, “The overwhelming response from users, after deployment, was, ‘It runs faster and smoother than before—is this the same PC?’”

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Document published June 2008