HMV attempts "cost-saving opportunities" with company-wide IGEL Linux thin client install

"Replacing old equipment which is out of support and costly to maintain," says HMV service delivery manager

UK media retail firm HMV has replaced much of its end user IT infrastructure across the business as part of a Citrix upgrade, taking away "old equipment which is out of support and costly to maintain," and replacing it with 760 "Universal Desktop 2" thin client terminals from workspace management software firm IGEL.

The UD2s have been rolled out across the brand's 129 UK stores and warehouses, in order to "leverage cost-saving opportunities" for the firm, which was bought out of administration by Hilco UK in 2013 after the closure of around 70 of its UK stores.

Derek Walklate, HMV's service delivery manager said:

"Our IT investment shows that HMV is committed to supporting our business by replacing old equipment which is out of support and costly to maintain.

"The business is keen to leverage cost saving opportunities through using cloud-based solutions. New IT means we not only get the latest and fastest technology but have the potential to save money through our new Citrix farm and server virtualization as well as getting rid of end of life equipment which has excessive maintenance charges."

Nick Potts, managing director of HMV IT supplier Trust Systems, said:

"When we reviewed products for HMV, our analysis showed that that they could save more than £45k on electricity over a three year period using IGEL UD2 terminals versus product from another well known competitor."

The existing hardware was apparently 15 years old, and not compatible with the new Citrix software. The 760 machines in stores and warehouses will be joined by 40 more for "backup and other purposes". HMV is also keen to point out 21.5-inch monitors, as well as keyboards and mice have been replaced "resulting in a wholesale desktop refresh".

The UD2s will be used to "access standard Microsoft Windows applications" via a Citrix VPN, as well as HMV's in-house stock management software Track Systems.

While a full tendering process was carried out, including with "suppliers of Chromebooks", Walklate said IGEL was chosen due to a recommendation by Trust Systems, as well as "lower software licensing costs and [HMV's] internal team [liking IGEL's] Universal Management Suite (UMS) software.

This software, he said, "is far simpler to use compared to others".