ReleaseWire

Teleflora Stakes Reputation on 2X Virtual Computing Stability and Performance

Company Depends on 2X for Dramatic Cost Savings and a 99% Reduction in Desktop Crashes

Posted: Monday, August 10, 2009 at 10:03 AM CDT

Dallas, TX -- (SBWire) -- 08/10/2009 -- Teleflora, the nation’s largest floral delivery network service, has chosen a 2X virtual computing solution to meet the computing needs of their call centers. In creating an optimized solution, the company has chosen to deploy the 2X ApplicationServer Enterprise Edition, along with the 2X ThinClientServer, to optimize employees’ remote access to critical desktop applications. Specifically, the 2X solution guarantees the efficient operation of Teleflora’s call centers, especially during peak order times, with flawless desktop performance delivered to over 1,100 users in multiple locations.

Jeff Jones is the Systems Architect at Teleflora, and as such, is responsible for ensuring that the company’s desktops can efficiently meet the day-to-day needs of the organization. Due to his limited IT budget, especially in the midst of a recession, Jeff is also responsible for ensuring that Teleflora’s IT goals are met at the lowest possible price, to preserve funds for other uses. To accommodate the needs of his call centers, Jeff chose a 2X-based thin client solution with his ten 32-bit HP BL460c Blade Servers, along with the VMware ESX 3.5 (VI3) virtualization platform, and was “able to save $120 per machine, simply from one-time licensing cost savings,” a total cost reduction of over $120,000. Teleflora’s 2X-based solution was thus a “diamond in the rough that fundamentally changed the way we do things,” as it significantly lowered IT costs and reduced the need to purchase additional thin client devices.

Through their 2X thin client solution, Jeff states that he “can fix virtually any desktop problem by simply rebooting the ThinClient OS from the central server, accomplishing in minutes what used to take hours to repair,” guaranteeing reliable operation during peak order periods. As a result, he explains that he has “been able to reduce desktop crashes by 99% from previous levels, since my team can reboot any failed desktop from a central source.” Call center managers can now drive their teams to aggressively pursue sales, knowing that their technical support team can handle virtually any desktop challenge that might arise; it should thus be no surprise that company satisfaction with call center operations is at an all-time high.

Jeff and his team are confident of 2X Software’s ability to continue to provide quality server-based software solutions in the future. He states that Teleflora’s future path should involve an expansion of their remote application publishing capabilities, along with a move to a thin client device-based solution, to take advantage of potential long-term savings opportunities. Even with a transition to thin client devices, Jeff still plans to make 2X a core component of his solution, stating, “I’m very satisfied with the application publishing and load balancing offered by 2X, and we’ll need these capabilities in a larger scale with a device-based solution, especially considering the cost-effectiveness and scalability characteristic of the 2X product line.” He further explains that 2X products’ simplicity elevates them above competitors, since he “used Citrix for many years, and 2X’s products’ stability makes them a desirable choice for an operation as demanding as ours.”

Scott Sims, 2X Business Development Manager, Americas stated that the company was “pleased to offer Teleflora easily manageable solutions to meet the high standards of their demanding call center operations. With centrally managed and published applications, using a thin client-based solution, companies like Teleflora can optimize access to their network. We will continue to offer Jeff and his team the latest in virtual computing software and look forward to meeting their future server-based computing needs with the efficiency and cost savings potential characteristic of 2X products.”

A full case study on Teleflora’s integration of their 2X solution can be found here: Teleflora Case Study.

About 2X ThinClientServer
The 2X ThinClientServer allows the conversion of outdated PCs to energy-efficient, cost-effective thin clients, while simultaneously providing centralized thin client management controls. This conversion ends the fat client administration nightmare by allowing all users’ connection settings to be efficiently managed from a central device. Additionally, administrators can use the ThinClientServer to restrict users’ individual accessibility options.

Key features:
• Conversion of existing PCs to thin clients
• Management of user connection settings by user, group or department
• Thin client vendor independence – centrally manage any thin client/PC
• Supports virtually all thin clients and computer hardware
• Limit users to Citrix or 2X published applications rather than allowing users complete desktop access
• Boot clients via PXE, Hard Disk, CDROM or USB
• Thin client shadowing and auto-login support

Obtaining the Trial Version

2X is offering a 120-day trial version of the 2X ThinClientServer. After the 120-day trial period, users can still use a free version for up to 5 thin clients by registering for the 5-thin client license key on the 2X website. Download the trial version today at:
http://www.2x.com/thinclientserver/download.html.

Teleflora’s solution also relied upon the performance of the 2X ApplicationServer; for a list of product features, or to download the trial version, please visit: http://www.2x.com/applicationserver/.

About 2X Software
2X Software Ltd - 2X - is a company developing software for the booming server-based computing market. Thin client computing controls spiraling PC management costs, centralizes application and desktop management, improves security and performance and allows users to work remotely. The company’s product line includes: 2X ThinClientServer, 2X LoadBalancer for Terminal Services/Citrix, 2X ApplicationServer for Windows Terminal Services, and 2X VirtualDesktopServer. 2X is a privately held company with offices in the USA, Germany, UK, Cyprus and Malta. Its management team is backed by years of experience in developing and selling network infrastructure software. 2X is a Microsoft, VMware, IBM and RedHat partner. For more information, visit: http://www.2x.com.

About Teleflora
Teleflora is proud to have been connecting customers with the nation's best florists for more than 70 years. Headquartered in Los Angeles, California, Teleflora has over 20,000 member florists throughout the U.S. and Canada, with an additional 20,000 affiliated florists outside North America. The company prides itself on delivering flawless customer service to our direct customers and member florists alike. For more information, visit: http://www.teleflora.com.

For more information, please contact Ryan Pope on rp@2x.com, +1 866-970-6262
http://www.2x.com