Mercuri Urval chooses WeSafe as new licensing partner after successful global hardware rollout

“Initially, we were looking into different security levels and Microsoft recommenced us to get in touch with WeSafe. We followed their advice and decided to start off with a security workshop.”

– Sven Wunder, Head of IT infrastructure

A road map to the cloud

Sven Wunder has worked for Mercuri Urval for more than 20 years and is today working for Central IT as the Head of IT infrastructure. Up until recently, IT applications have run on a local Citrix platform. As a way of fulfilling requirements from top management, more and more parts of the infrastructure are now moving into the cloud to simplify processes and make them more secure and more cost efficient. Starting off, focus was mainly on security, Sven Wunder says:

– Initially, we were looking into different security levels and Microsoft recommenced us to get in touch with WeSafe. We followed their advice and decided to start off with a security workshop. The conversation, however, soon developed into more than just talks of security and became the starting point for talks of how to move forward on our cloud journey. Continuing with a second workshop, we discussed what we wanted to achieve by venturing into the cloud. Together with WeSafe we set up a road map for our cloud journey to establish what we should do to get the most out of our licenses, and how to do it.

Challenging hardware rollouts called for new methods

The first step was to roll out a large number of laptops across the globe. Previously, different models had been applied to launch new hardware: local deployment, a bring-your-own-device model, and – most recently – a more centralized method of deployment. Sven continues:

– Last time we rolled out a larger number of hardware devices, the hardware was preconfigured by the supplier who then shipped it globally to our different offices. This, however, still meant that there were a lot of configurations that needed to be done locally once the hardware arrived. Usually something in the software package needed to be changed which required administration locally. We weren’t happy with the result as it affected work both in terms of time spent, as well as from a security point of view.

Due to their previous experiences of laptops rollouts, Mercuri Urval were therefore considering other options.

Faster and easier deployment of 700+ units

Mercuri Urval were already licensed for Microsoft 365, but didn’t use the licenses to their full potential. When rolling out new devices, however, WeSafe made sure Mercuri Urval got the most out of their investment. Sven explains:
– Onboarding Microsoft Intune was a way for us to automate more of the distribution and implementation of new devices. By being able to remotely administer applications and settings, we could cut a lot of the previous manual and local administration related to hardware deployment. Based on our input, in terms of functionality and security level, WeSafe put together an installation package. All we needed to do was to make sure the laptops we shipped and all the users needed to do was to log on to their account on their new laptops to start the customized installation process. All based on the pre-defined package of settings and applications provided by WeSafe.
This meant that no pre-staging of devices was needed. Users received the laptops and a manual, pressed the button, and they were up and running. Faster, and with much less effort and complexity than before, Mercuri Urval were able to deploy around 700 laptops worldwide.

“Working with WeSafe has been simply perfect. They are technically skilled, which means that if a question arises on our end, we immediately get an answer on the technical level that we require. In other words – no bullshit.”

– Sven Wunder, Head of IT infrastructure

“No bullshit”: WeSafe takes over as Mercuri Urvals licensing partner

Sven Wunder’s plan is to develop the relationship with WeSafe by continuing to work with them and moving forward on Mercuri’s cloud roadmap. The first step was to choose WeSafe as their new Microsoft licensing partner. He concludes:
­– Working with WeSafe has been simply perfect. They are technically skilled, which means that if a question arises on our end, we immediately get an answer on the technical level that we require. In other words – no bullshit. We were previously in a direct enterprise agreement with Microsoft but have now chosen to let WeSafe take over and handle all of our Microsoft licenses. We have also started to use a number of new Microsoft services, including additional security as well as Windows Virtual Desktop. It’s a great cooperation – and its growing.