Labs that go where your users go
Specialist software for engineering, design, animation and games usually needs a powerful PC in a campus lab. Streamed from AWS, it runs in a browser on a student’s own laptop, and you pay for the hours it is used.
- Capacity scheduled to your timetable, ready before a class starts and switched off when it ends
- GPU instances for graphics-heavy applications, sized by testing with your own software
- Sign-in with Microsoft Entra ID, and machines joined to your Active Directory
- Home folders and shared application storage on Amazon FSx, or Google Drive and OneDrive
- Usage reports showing who used which applications, and for how long
What we use
Amazon WorkSpaces Applications
Formerly Amazon AppStream 2.0. Streams individual applications, such as AutoCAD or Unity, to a browser.
Amazon WorkSpaces Personal
Persistent virtual desktops for staff and researchers who need their own machine.
Amazon WorkSpaces Pools
Non-persistent desktops shared across many users, suited to student labs.
What an engagement looks like
Most customers start with a proof of concept of about eight weeks, from the first workshop to the end of user testing, then move what works into production.
1. Discovery and design
A workshop to understand your applications, users, identity, storage and timetable. We produce a high-level design and a Statement of Work, and walk you through it before you sign.
2. Proof of concept build
- A dedicated AWS account and network
- An image builder, fleet and portal, with scaling scheduled to your hours
- User settings saved between sessions, and cloud storage connected
- Test users and a handover workshop
3. Testing with your users
About four weeks in which your staff and a group of students use the service. We can switch instance sizes part way through so you can compare performance and cost. A weekly drop-in session and named email support run throughout.
4. Production
- Built on a secure landing zone
- Single sign-on and Active Directory integration
- Private connection to your network over site-to-site VPN
- File storage that grows automatically, scheduled and automatic scaling, and cost-saving scripts
5. Run and improve
Image updates, monitoring and cost tuning, as further project work or through Managed Cloud.
What we need from you
Your applications
- The applications to test, with their licence servers
- Someone to install and patch them on the image. We show you how, and AWS has guides for common packages
Your users
- A named point of contact and a group of testers
- Your teaching hours, so capacity is ready when users arrive
Your environment
- Your identity provider and storage choices
- For production, network details for the VPN and an Active Directory administrator
Case studies
Questions
Which should we use, streamed applications or desktops?
Streamed applications suit students who need a few specialist packages. Desktops suit staff and researchers who need a full, familiar environment. Many institutions use both, and a proof of concept shows which fits.
What does it cost?
You pay AWS for the hours each fleet or desktop runs, plus storage. Scheduling capacity to the timetable keeps that close to actual use, and we estimate the monthly cost in the Statement of Work. AWS may fund a proof of concept for eligible customers.
Where does the proof of concept run?
Usually in an AWS account we set up for it. If you go ahead, we move it into your own AWS Organization.
Is it only for education?
No. The same services give contractors, call centres and remote staff secure access to company applications. Ask us about your case.
Try it with your own applications
Tell us which software your users need and we will suggest a proof of concept.
Contact us