Home entertainment retailer Virgin Megastores has implemented
Citrix application software across all 92 stores in the UK, to
improve business communication and reduce IT administration
costs.
Virgin is using the Citrix Metaframe software, running on a
Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0, to give stores immediate access to
relevant information about, for example, new promotions or sales
figures.
Metaframe allows Virgin employees to access centralised
information, on Wyse Winterm thin clients, via Crystal Decisions,
an application for reporting sales and inventory information.
The software also allows access to Internet-based communication
tools from a central server via a wide area network.
Previously, most of the head office correspondence with stores was
paper-based. This led to multiple photocopying and postage costs
and meant stores were not receiving critical information for up to
three days. In addition, stores were using different applications
on a variety of platforms to send e-mails and memos, an inefficient
method of delivery.
"Our business communications have improved immeasurably since the
implementation because we have an effective reporting system and
standardised e-mail access," said Pete Hill, project manager for
Virgin Megastores.
"Employees are much more aware of what is happening in other stores
and the market in general."
Metaframe's centralised management capability has also improved
Virgin's IT administration and support operations.
"The centralised control of our IT system helps us to avoid the
havoc that can be caused by problems such as viruses," said Dan
Ogilvie, senior technical analyst at Virgin Megastores.
"Upgrading and migrating new versions of applications is also
simpler, as I need to install them only once on the server farm and
they become instantly available to all users within minutes."
Daniel Thomas
daniel.thomas@rbi.co.uk