VDI and the many forms of “Output Management”
When moving to a solution for Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), one sometimes spots the occasional issue that didn’t originally appear to be a problem. Printing, for example. Or scanning.
LRS is known for offering solutions that address print processes of every shape and size. But when we talk about Output Management solutions, the term “Output Management” means more than just physical print. It also encompasses scanning, emailing, and other virtual output channels.
A long-time Russian customer remembered this when the organization found itself in the middle of a VDI migration project and was confronted by scanning requirements. They turned to LRS for help.
What was the problem?
As a bank, the customer had a fairly high volume of scanned documents of every kind. These came from a variety of business applications and from many local affiliates connected to the central datacenter over network links of varying quality.
In very decentralized environments, slow or unreliable network connections can impede the seamless transfer of data from scanning processes to a central server. Lack of standardized processes in these far-flung locations also make it difficult to provide control and feedback to the employees and IT organization.
The final vexing problem was how to manage and optimize the network throughput in order to provide the necessary stability across network connections.
LRS solved the problem by setting up a system in which data was transferred from local VPSX server instances to a central VPSX server in the main data center. Instead of using direct data connections to printers, which automatically try to consume all of the available bandwidth, VPSX servers compress the data sent over the network and thereby reduce the bandwidth used. This lowers the impact of remote connections to the central server and also ensures complete and reliable data transmission of status messages to end users.
In this case, the VPSX solution used the “Scan to Email” function supported on the customer’s MFP devices. This let the organization implement a standardized and manageable process without the need to install additional software.
Of course, a great deal of technical expertise and understanding of the customer’s environment were required to develop this solution. But the specific situation is not the real point. The point is that your organization’s needs will likely be unique, and your own LRS systems engineer will be in the best position to help you.
It’s worth noting that this project had little to do with LRS’ traditional focus – the management of print processes – but rather the area of paperless document processes. Nonetheless, the LRS team addressed the customer’s needs in a creative and effective manner.
That may be one small step for LRS, but it was a giant leap for the customer’s VDI migration staff, who could quit worrying about network bandwidth problems and dedicate their resources to more strategic aspects of their project.