Transforming Lives Through Technology: Uniting NSW ACT’s Journey to Modern IT 

About Uniting NSW ACT 

Uniting NSW ACT is a cornerstone of community care in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. With a mission to inspire people, enliven communities, and confront injustice, the organisation offers essential services across aged care, disability support, early learning, and social justice initiatives. Every day, Uniting NSW ACT strives to create lasting impact, particularly for society’s most vulnerable individuals, fostering inclusion and hope in the communities it serves. 

Empowering Communities Through IT Transformation 

Recognising the importance of a robust IT infrastructure to support its mission, Uniting NSW ACT embarked on a journey to modernise its operations. cubesys partnered with the organisation to implement Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD), a solution that not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced the organisation’s ability to deliver on its vision of community empowerment. 

This case study dives deeper into Uniting NSW/ACT's journey with AVD, exploring the challenges they faced and the solutions cubesys provided. 

“The implementation of Azure Virtual Desktop has been a game-changer for us. The transition was seamless, and the support from cubesys was exceptional. Our staff can now securely access all the tools they need from anywhere, which has significantly improved productivity and flexibility.” 

Elo Flack - Senior Manager, Cloud Transformation Services, Uniting NSW ACT 

Balancing Progress with Legacy Systems 

The Need for Change 

Uniting NSW ACT faced significant challenges with its legacy IT systems: 

• Outdated Infrastructure: The organisation relied on ageing on-premises servers that were costly to maintain and unable to meet growing demands. 

• High IT Costs: Traditional solutions like Citrix and VMware strained budgets with steep licensing fees and maintenance costs. 

• Access Barriers: Staff working remotely or in hybrid roles struggled with inconsistent and inflexible access to critical applications. 

• Scalability Limitations: The reliance on physical data centres hindered the ability to scale operations efficiently. 

  See why a NSW government department chose AVD

Partnering for Progress: The cubesys Approach 

Tailored Proof of Concept (PoC) 

To evaluate the feasibility of Azure Virtual Desktop, cubesys partnered with Uniting NSW ACT’s IT team to conduct a comprehensive PoC: 

• Over 1,150 remote applications, including custom internal tools and standard office software, were deployed. 

• The team rigorously tested the system for performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. 

• A seamless user experience was prioritised to ensure minimal disruption to staff. 

From Concept to Reality: Full Deployment 

Building on the success of the PoC, cubesys facilitated the transition to a full-scale AVD implementation: 

• Staff gained secure access to applications from any location, enhancing productivity and flexibility. 

• The deployment process was smooth, with cubesys providing continuous support and addressing challenges promptly. 

• By migrating to a cloud-based infrastructure, Uniting NSW ACT reduced its dependence on costly physical data centres. 

AVD Best Practices for Fortifying Security

Realising the Impact: Empowering Staff and Communities 

Cost-Effective Innovation 

Switching to AVD significantly reduced IT costs by eliminating expensive licensing fees and lowering infrastructure maintenance expenses. The pay-as-you-go scalability of AVD enabled the organisation to optimise spending and allocate resources more effectively. 

Boosting Productivity and Flexibility 

Staff now enjoy secure, seamless access to applications, whether working from home, the office, or on the go. This flexibility has transformed workflows, allowing employees to focus more on delivering essential services to the community. 

Enhancing Accessibility and Security 

AVD ensures reliable access to all applications across devices, fostering an inclusive digital environment. Robust security measures protect sensitive data, enabling Uniting NSW ACT to maintain its commitment to safeguarding client information. 

Building a Future-Ready IT Ecosystem 

The cloud-based infrastructure positions Uniting NSW ACT for sustainable growth. The organisation is now equipped to scale its IT environment to meet evolving demands, ensuring uninterrupted support for its critical services. 

A Legacy of Service, Powered by Innovation 

The successful implementation of Azure Virtual Desktop is more than a technical achievement; it’s a testament to Uniting NSW ACT’s commitment to its mission. By modernising it’s IT infrastructure, the organisation has empowered it’s staff to work more efficiently, directly translating to better outcomes for the people and communities it serves. 

A Partner in Progress 

cubesys’ collaborative approach ensured that Uniting NSW ACT’s unique needs were met, paving the way for transformative change. Together, they demonstrated how technology can be a force for good, enabling organisations to focus on what truly matters—making a difference in people’s lives. 

For Uniting NSW ACT, the ease of ongoing management with Azure Virtual Desktop has been a game-changer. The simplified management processes have reduced the burden on their IT team, allowing them to dedicate more time to strategic initiatives that directly support the organisation’s mission. This efficiency ensures their technology not only runs smoothly but also contributes to delivering better services to the people and communities they serve.

Get started with our Virtual Desktop - a road to adoption ebook