ControlUp, a leader in Digital Employee Experience (DEX) management, has announced that UK-based SimpsonHaugh Architects is utilizing its DEX platform to monitor and optimize its new Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) environment. This digital transformation, a £1.21 million investment over several years, integrates industry-leading solutions including Citrix Virtual Apps, NVIDIA vGPU, and ControlUp’s DEX, designed to enhance real-time performance analytics and remediation.
1. VDI Implementation for Remote Working and Agility
- SimpsonHaugh’s decision to adopt VDI stems from the need to centralize IT at its Manchester headquarters, improve remote working capabilities, and boost project collaboration. The new environment supports GPU-intensive architectural applications such as Revit, Rhino, Enscape, and SketchUp, crucial for delivering projects on time.
- VDI has been phased into a hybrid environment, combining virtual desktops and physical workstations to capitalize on existing high-end hardware.
2. Optimizing for Performance with ControlUp
- ControlUp’s DEX platform plays a critical role in monitoring the VDI environment in real-time, identifying resource-heavy applications, and enabling instant remedies like increasing RAM or GPU resources.
- “Guaranteeing the end-user experience is vital,” says Dave Moyes, Partner at SimpsonHaugh. “ControlUp helps us pinpoint issues faster, reducing downtime and optimizing project workflows.”
3. Significant Cost and Productivity Savings
- The VDI solution, powered by ControlUp, has saved SimpsonHaugh an estimated £1.79 million in lost earnings by reducing IT downtime by 15%. This represents 17% of the firm’s 2023 turnover.
- Additionally, by leveraging ControlUp’s real-time data, problem-solving times have been significantly reduced, saving the practice £35,000 by avoiding the need to hire additional IT staff.
4. Future-Proofing with AI and VDI Expansion
- SimpsonHaugh is expanding its VDI environment over the next 3-5 years, gradually replacing physical workstations with virtual desktops. The firm is also upgrading its corporate network to a 25 Gigabit Ethernet backbone and introducing AI technologies.
- Private AI engines, such as Word AI for automating administrative tasks and Generative AI for parametric designs, are being integrated to enhance project efficiency while ensuring client confidentiality through strict NDAs.
5. Collaboration and Work-Life Balance
- VDI has enabled SimpsonHaugh’s architects to collaborate more effectively with trusted third parties, offering flexible access to part of the environment when necessary.
- VDI also supports a healthier work-life balance, as employees can seamlessly work from home, aided by Citrix, without compromising on the quality or speed of their work.
SimpsonHaugh’s partnership with ControlUp and the implementation of its DEX platform have drastically improved operational performance, saving millions and enhancing staff productivity. With ongoing plans to expand its VDI environment and introduce advanced AI technologies, SimpsonHaugh is well-positioned for future growth and innovation in the architecture industry.
