LVM convert 10,000 corporate desktops to ubuntu with services from Canonical

Canonical today announced the successful migration of 10 000 desktops to Ubuntu by German insurance company LVM Versicherung. The project was undertaken with consulting from Canonical’s professional services team and will receive ongoing support from the Canonical support team. LVM decided to convert to Ubuntu thanks to the Ubuntu project’s ongoing commitment to the desktop as well as the reassurance of the quality and availability of the right support services from the project sponsor, Canonical.

“We needed a Linux-based desktop client that had a clear and future commitment to the desktop to ensure that we were getting the type of hardware coverage we needed” said Werner Schmidt CIO at LVM Versicherungen. “Ubuntu was an obvious choice once we were convinced by Canonical of its ability to scale and the company’s commitment to support businesses pursuing our Linux client strategy. Ubuntu’s been deployed in our company for some time now for a range of use cases – and we’re very impressed with what we’ve seen.”

The ability to support a wide range of new desktop configurations with strong peripherals support was key for LVM to give them a choice between hardware suppliers. Software support was also key. Lotus Notes, Open Office.org and Adobe Reader were standard applications in LVM and are fully supported by Ubuntu. The primary application (LAS) for most users was LVM’s own Java-based application for insurance claim processing. With minimal effort, LVM was able to use the application on Ubuntu and ensure a successful switchover. Ubuntu supports the mobile “always on” use of LVM’s LAS Application, while its agent take care of customers in their living rooms.

LVM migrated over 10 000 laptop and desktop systems in two main phases; first more than 7000 systems in LVM’s agencies all over Germany and then approximately 3000 systems at the company’s head quarters in Münster.

“Ubuntu as a corporate desktop solution is beginning to gain real momentum” said Steve George, VP Business Development at Canonical. “Many companies are waking up to the realisation that there is an alternative to an endless cycle of license fees that can amount to millions of dollars. We believe that the investment that LVM have made in converting to Ubuntu by engaging with Canonical will pay off many times.”

About LVM Versicherung

Insurance consultancy with focus on each individual’s needs — that’s the principle of LVM Versicherungen, situated in Muenster, Germany. The personal support close-by bases on the company’s more than 115-year-long tradition. The insurance company — as well as its portfolio — expanded ever since. All developments cater the customers’ requirements and demands.

With 3.1 million customers, LVM obtained about 2.3 billion Euro contribution in 2010. Its 13 billion Euro capital investments represent the solid and trustworthy corporate management. 3,000 employees work at the headquarters in Muenster. Its dense network of more than 2,200 self-employed sales represantatives makes the LVM visible throughout Germany. Today, LVM perceives itself as a modern financial service provider. The company belongs to the 20 biggest insurance companies in Germany. Recurring awards of acknowledged rating agencies (ASSEKURATA, Stiftung Warentest et. al) underline that LVM is a traditional, service- and customer-oriented company with a bright future ahead.
www.lvm.de

About Canonical Ltd

Canonical provides engineering, online and professional services to Ubuntu partners and customers worldwide. As the company behind the Ubuntu project, Canonical is committed to the production and support of Ubuntu – an ever-popular and fast-growing open-source operating system. It aims to ensure that Ubuntu is available to every organisation and individual on servers, desktops, laptops and netbooks.
Canonical partners with computer hardware manufacturers to certify Ubuntu, provides migration, deployment, support and training services to businesses, and offers online services direct to end users. Canonical also builds and maintains collaborative, open-source development tools to ensure that organisations and individuals can participate fully in innovations within the open-source community. For more information, please visit www.canonical.com