AppSense aids London university in virtualisation journey
UCL transforming user experience for tens of thousands of users through desktop virtualisation


University College London (UCL) has chosen AppSense to help with the institution’s large-scale desktop transformation project, via the AppSense User Virtualisation suite.
The project will commence with the migration of user profiles and data stored on legacy environments. This will involve the the creation of a new Citrix data centre stack, as well as the upgrading of over 5,000 Windows XP physical desktops to Windows 7.
Once migration is complete, AppSense will be used to manage the new desktops, including application policy and user profiles for up to 33,000 users across UCL.
The organisation claims that, once completed, the project will enable the university to manage its physical and virtual desktop estate more effectively. It will also allow students to use their own mobile devices to securely access their desktop, applications and data both on campus and remotely.
Steve Atkinson, project desktop architect at UCL, said: “Managing University IT, with tens of thousands of users, effectively requires an enterprise-level approach.”
“AppSense will enable us to easily manage our desktop and application portfolio, while providing our staff and students with a single, personalised user experience wherever they are,” he added.
Corporate and channel sales manager at AppSense, Nigel Wilson, said: “Universities are full of young, highly tech-savvy users who have chosen the hardware they want to use and want to be able to ... access the same desktop and data wherever they are.”
Get the ITPro daily newsletter
Sign up today and you will receive a free copy of our Future Focus 2025 report - the leading guidance on AI, cybersecurity and other IT challenges as per 700+ senior executives
This new, user-centric system, powered by Citrix and AppSense technologies, will enable students to seamlessly access everything they need from whatever device, and location, they want,” Wilson concluded.

Jane McCallion is Managing Editor of ITPro and ChannelPro, specializing in data centers, enterprise IT infrastructure, and cybersecurity. Before becoming Managing Editor, she held the role of Deputy Editor and, prior to that, Features Editor, managing a pool of freelance and internal writers, while continuing to specialize in enterprise IT infrastructure, and business strategy.
Prior to joining ITPro, Jane was a freelance business journalist writing as both Jane McCallion and Jane Bordenave for titles such as European CEO, World Finance, and Business Excellence Magazine.
-
Asus ZenScreen Fold OLED MQ17QH review
Reviews A stunning foldable 17.3in OLED display – but it's too expensive to be anything more than a thrilling tech demo
By Sasha Muller
-
How the UK MoJ achieved secure networks for prisons and offices with Palo Alto Networks
Case study Adopting zero trust is a necessity when your own users are trying to launch cyber attacks
By Rory Bathgate