CSA to replace 4000 devices with device-as-a-service solution for Life Without Barriers

Computer Systems Australia has developed a device-as-a-service offering for not-for-profit organisation Life Without Barriers, eliminating the hassle of managing a disparate fleet of 4000 end-user devices.

Life Without Barriers operates a vital network of community services in areas of disability, out-of-home care, aged care, mental health, and support for refugees and asylum seekers. The organisation services more than 300 communities spanning rural, regional, and remote locations across Australia.

The organisation was struggling to manage a disparate fleet of devices from an incumbent vendor spread across its 300 locations. Life Without Barriers had an unpredictable capex and opex expenditure for hardware and management services, and lengthy support and warranty processes.

As an existing customer of CSA, the IT provider stepped in not only to refresh hardware, but to create a solution for Life Without Barriers to better manage its IT spend on devices. Life Without Barriers and CSA partnered up to transform the approach to device management by shifting to a lifecycle-centric consumption-based model.

Working with HP for end-user devices, CSA developed its device-as-a-service solution, which meant that Life Without Barriers could order HP devices through a service catalogue developed by all three parties. CSA also wrapped a lifecycle service around the solution.

Within the first 12 months, more than 1200 incumbent out-of-warranty devices were identified and replaced with new HP devices. The entire fleet of 4000 devices is expected to be replaced over the next 12 to 18 months.

Not only has Life Without Barriers been able to better manage its IT spend, but its device ecosystem is now managed through CSA, giving the organisation peace of mind with a managed service for hardware maintenance and replacements. Life Without Barriers can also leverage an online asset database integrated with a discovery management tool, and online real-time reporting and asset refresh planning reports.

The device-as-a-service solution proved so successful, CSA partnered with HP to collectively leverage the solution to the broader market.

Life Without Barriers’ ICT service delivery manager Phil Misgrave said: “CSA’s device-as-a-service solution has allowed us to have much greater insight into where our devices are and what they are doing. This provides our office and field based staff to a stable operating base to be consistently productive.”

CSA is a finalist in the Modernising infrastructure (Enterprise) category at the 2017 CRN Impact Awards. The full list of finalists will be announced at our CRN Pipeline conference in Melbourne on 22-23 March. The winners will be announced at the Impact Awards dinner during the CRN Pipeline conference in Sydney on 6-7 April.

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