Howell Technology Group Limited
Microsoft Windows 365 (W365) Services
Provides a cloud PC with Windows365, enabling a personalised computing experience accessible from anywhere, on any device.
Features
- Stream Windows experience from the cloud to any device.
- Persistent personal desktop environment.
- Choose from various CPU, RAM, GPU and storage configurations.
- Integrates with existing Microsoft 365 and Azure services.
- Built-in security features from hardware to the cloud.
- Supports multi-factor authentication and conditional access.
- Automatic updates and management through Microsoft Endpoint Manager.
- Configurable network settings to optimise performance.
- Utilises Azure's global infrastructure for reliable access.
- Provision new cloud PCs in minutes.
Benefits
- Provides a consistent and scalable Windows experience.
- Enables secure and flexible remote work options.
- Reduces IT complexity with simplified device management.
- Enhances productivity with always-available PC environments.
- Minimises hardware dependency for cost savings.
- Ensures security and compliance across devices.
- Facilitates rapid onboarding of new employees.
- Supports business continuity with cloud resilience.
- Optimises performance based on user needs.
- Integrates seamlessly into existing enterprise ecosystems.
Pricing
£325 to £1,900 a unit a day
- Education pricing available
Service documents
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Framework
G-Cloud 14
Service ID
7 0 8 3 6 7 6 4 3 0 6 0 8 4 1
Contact
Howell Technology Group Limited
David Maginnes
Telephone: 03304609828
Email: david@htg.co.uk
Planning
- Planning service
- Yes
- How the planning service works
- For Windows 365, we assess current desktop management challenges and define use cases for cloud PCs. We plan capacity and select configurations that align with different user roles. A phased rollout strategy is developed to ensure smooth adoption, and guidelines are established for secure remote desktop access and data security.
- Planning service works with specific services
- Yes
- Hosting or software services the planning service works with
- Microsoft
Training
- Training service provided
- No
Setup and migration
- Setup or migration service available
- Yes
- How the setup or migration service works
- For Windows 365 setup and migration, we begin by provisioning cloud PCs with the appropriate configurations and applications based on user requirements. This includes selecting the appropriate CPU, RAM, and storage allocations and installing necessary software and security updates. We then migrate user profiles and data to the new cloud PCs, ensuring data integrity and access continuity throughout the transition. Our team provides training and support to end-users to facilitate the adoption of Windows 365 and ensures that all applications and data are properly accessible within the new environment.
- Setup or migration service is for specific cloud services
- Yes
- List of supported services
- Microsoft
Quality assurance and performance testing
- Quality assurance and performance testing service
- Yes
- How the quality assurance and performance testing works
- For Windows 365, quality assurance and performance testing involve verifying the reliability and performance of cloud PC provisioning, desktop access, and application responsiveness. We conduct comprehensive testing of cloud PC startup/shutdown times, application launch times, and network latency to ensure smooth and efficient desktop experiences for users. Performance testing assesses Windows 365's scalability to handle increasing user load and application demands, ensuring consistent performance and responsiveness across all user environments. Our team validates the reliability of data synchronisation and backup mechanisms to ensure data integrity and availability in Windows 365 environments.
Security testing
- Security services
- Yes
- Security services type
-
- Security strategy
- Security risk management
- Security design
- Cyber security consultancy
- Security testing
- Security incident management
- Security audit services
- Other
- Other security services
-
- Zero Trust Principles
- Modern Security Operations
- User Access and Productivity
- Certified security testers
- No
Ongoing support
- Ongoing support service
- Yes
- Types of service supported
-
- Buyer hosting or software
- Hosting or software provided by your organisation
- Hosting or software provided by a third-party organisation
- How the support service works
- Support for this service can be supported under a wider managed service offering, providing comprehensive ongoing support to ensure your cloud infrastructure remains robust and efficient. The Managed Service includes proactive monitoring, regular maintenance, and prompt troubleshooting to address and resolve issues quickly. Our dedicated team is also available to assist with any queries and to offer expert guidance aimed at optimising your cloud environment
Service scope
- Service constraints
- None
User support
- Email or online ticketing support
- Yes, at extra cost
- Support response times
- Service desk operates Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM UK time, offering structured response times based on incident priority. For P1 incidents, which are critical, we guarantee a response within 1 hour to address severe operational impacts. P2 incidents receive a response within 4 hours for urgent, non-critical issues. P3 incidents, which are of medium priority, have a 24-hour response time for moderately impacting problems. Lastly, P4 incidents, or low priority, are responded to within 3 business days, suitable for minor issues and general inquiries. This prioritisation ensures efficient and effective resolution of issues during regular business hours.
- User can manage status and priority of support tickets
- Yes
- Online ticketing support accessibility
- WCAG 2.1 AAA
- Phone support
- Yes
- Phone support availability
- 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
- Web chat support
- No
- Support levels
- HTG offer a tiered helpdesk service which is available 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday, excluding Bank Holidays and public holidays. Pricing for the service is variable based around the specific support model and technical requirements of the client environment.
Resellers
- Supplier type
- Reseller providing extra features and support
- Organisation whose services are being resold
- Microsoft
Staff security
- Staff security clearance
- Conforms to BS7858:2019
- Government security clearance
- Up to Developed Vetting (DV)
Standards and certifications
- ISO/IEC 27001 certification
- Yes
- Who accredited the ISO/IEC 27001
- Alcumus ISOQAR Limited
- ISO/IEC 27001 accreditation date
- 11/10/22
- What the ISO/IEC 27001 doesn’t cover
- N/A
- ISO 28000:2007 certification
- No
- CSA STAR certification
- No
- PCI certification
- No
- Cyber essentials
- Yes
- Cyber essentials plus
- Yes
- Other security certifications
- Yes
- Any other security certifications
-
- Microsoft Identity & Access Management Advanced Specialisation
- Microsoft Information Protection & Governance Advanced Specialisation
- Microsoft Cloud Security Advanced Specialisation
- Microsoft Threat Protection Advanced Specialisation
- Microsoft Modernize Endpoints Advanced Specialisation
Social Value
- Social Value
-
Social Value
- Fighting climate change
- Covid-19 recovery
- Tackling economic inequality
- Equal opportunity
- Wellbeing
Fighting climate change
HTG’s expertise lies in migrating existing IT systems to the cloud. We know this is one of the most high-impact ways to move towards net zero IT. It eliminates the need for on-premises infrastructure, which is costly, resource-heavy, time-inefficient, and a huge contributor to carbon emissions via energy consumption.
After an organisation switch to the cloud, HTG can help to re-purpose old devices, as well as provide access to companies that specialise in recycling technology while ensuring data destruction as needed. In terms of any remaining hardware, idling PCs, laptops and other devices consume enormous amounts of energy. We can set up devices to automatically power off when not in use.
We partner with providers who manufacture devices with environmentally friendly methods and are committed to delivering digital workspaces and assets in a sustainable way. Microsoft is on track to being carbon negative within the decade and is currently carbon neutral.
We provide expert advice around sustainable IT policies and training along with best practices for repurposing existing devices or BYOD. We work with clients from the early stages of migration, through to optimising use of digital workspaces and devices over the long-term with environmentally friendly automations.
HTG’s commitment to enabling remote working is our secondary tool for fighting climate change. Saving fuel by cutting commutes, reducing energy consumption within workplaces and reducing the need for business travel, carbon emissions within any business will significantly reduce.
We recognise small, conscious decisions within our own business practices contribute towards the fight against climate change. Within HTG’s own offices, we are single-use plastic free, largely, paper-free, and frequently remind employees to switch off lights when they leave rooms. We also use local suppliers of products and services as much as possible to reduce our carbon footprint and operate in a sustainable manner.Covid-19 recovery
HTG are committed to addressing the impacts of COVID-19 in a sustainable way that embeds positive practices into our business and businesses we work with. We continue to grow as an organisation which means we can offer secure employment pathways in a region that was heavily impacted by COVID-19. We currently have numerous employees who have joined us via apprenticeship schemes, and we’re dedicated to maintaining this route as a credible means of training, retraining and developing employees.
Working in a sector that is reliant on emerging technologies means that there’s a fairer playing field for those that are new to the world of work or decide to change careers, as historical IT experience is not necessarily relevant or valuable. Therefore, we provide a compelling career path for those that may have had their employment prospects negatively impacted by COVID-19.
HTG’s mission to provide businesses with the IT infrastructure to operate securely and effectively from anywhere supports the unprecedented shift to remote working practices post-COVID.
Whilst HTG could easily have transitioned to a remote-first organisation, we recognise the value in having a physical office, and the benefits this brings to our local community (securing jobs for those that were severely impacted by the pandemic e.g., cleaners, office suppliers, food outlets). We also recognise the importance of in-person connection for mental wellbeing. We empower our employees to choose to work wherever and whenever it suits them best, and this level of trust and autonomy unquestionably reduces stress for our employees.
We encourage our team to make healthy and sustainable lifestyle choices, offering a suite of benefits that, not only, financially incentivise practices like cycling to work, using public transport and eating healthily, but allow them access to private medical practitioners, that facilitate early intervention and reduce the burden on the NHS.Tackling economic inequality
HTG’s efforts to tackle economic inequality are threefold.
Firstly, HTG is based in one of the 20% most deprived neighbourhoods in the UK and we are very proud of our North East of England roots. We are committed to remaining in the region and providing a local pathway for careers that, historically, may have required a move towards a different region in order to progress. Our presence is also a valuable local commodity as we can invest money in the surrounding community via our offices, the spending habits of our employees and our local charitable endeavours. Our employees also have a commitment to volunteering and we foster relationships with Not-for-Profits in our local community.
Secondly, our most-valued contracts are with Public Sector organisations that are, themselves, committed to tackling economic inequality. Every year, one of our clients supports 3,000 people into jobs, including 200 apprenticeships and 150 business start-ups. Together with their partners, they deliver 5,000+ free, accredited training sessions. They also provide a range of grants for work and business. Their 2022-23 activity alone had a social value of £137m.
Finally, HTG are providing services that allow businesses to reap the benefits of using the latest technologies. Our team is made up of experts in their field, including cyber security, and we pride ourselves on building trusted partnerships with our clients whereby we can tailor solutions to meet a range of needs. We take on the responsibility of creating an IT infrastructure that is robust and future focussed. The benefits we offer include enabling remote working; increasing efficiency and productivity; reducing the likelihood of costly data losses and downtime in IT services. Our smart solutions allow our clients to focus on what they do best, in the confidence the service we provide for them is scalable and secure.Equal opportunity
HTG have cultivated an inclusive culture where people feel safe and comfortable discussing their uniqueness within the workplace – across the full range of protected characteristics. Our organisational values bond our team and create a sense of belonging that we see critical to hold on to, even as we scale.
Our team undertake mandatory Equality Act training and we have a zero-tolerance approach to discrimination.
We offer a range of benefits including a flexible working framework and a host of paid leave options, which remove many of the barriers to work disabled and under-represented groups might face.
We appreciate mental health difficulties can be hugely impactful to employees, and very costly to businesses. We are a Gold Award Winning employer via Mind’s Workplace Wellbeing Index 2022/23, signifying that we are “Achieving Excellence” in our work to promote and support positive mental health. We have one qualified Mental Health First Aider per 13 employees and our team have access to talking therapies via our Private Medical Insurance provision.
Our team includes 31% women, and we have established a partnership with Smart Works locally to drive female employability in general, as well as at HTG. 40% of our Senior Leadership Team are women creating visible role models for within HTG and the local community.
HTG is a Disability Confident Employer (DCS035657) and accredited as a Living Wage Employer by the Living Wage Foundation.
We are signatories of the Tech Talent Charter, bringing together organisations to drive greater diversity and inclusion in technology roles.
We are also signatories of the Microsoft Partner Pledge, committing us to grow talent in our industry, enhance diversity and inclusion, and shape a desirable world.
Our apprenticeship schemes are a fantastic route for employees from disadvantaged backgrounds or from minority groups to gain skills that increase their employability.Wellbeing
The health and wellbeing of HTG’s team is of paramount importance to us. Our distribution of work is structured in a way to ensure equity and prevent burnout. Our management style is one where mentoring and coaching is valued over direction and instruction. We pride ourselves on a culture where employees feel comfortable to be their authentic selves within the workplace and work hard to foster relationships that mean the team feel safe to raise concerns or voice struggles without fear of discrimination or judgement.
We offer employees the freedom to work from home, as well as take paid and unpaid leave from work when they need to prioritise their wellbeing. We also offer benefits that allow employees access to continued, tailored, professional support free of charge. We utilise qualified Mental Health First Aiders to enact early prevention and intervention where we see an employee struggling to manage their mental wellbeing.
We are committed to promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle to our employees and offer a range of benefits to ensure everyone has access to readily available health and wellness choices. We provide a free on-site gym, free fruit, free healthy breakfast and lunch options, and free dietary supplements to our employees. We run a Cycle to Work scheme, provide Private Medical Insurance to all employees (which offers substantial discounts on gym memberships) and offer a Healthcare Cash Plan.
Our approach to wellbeing is guided by the 5 pillars of wellbeing recommended by the NHS. Learning new skills is one of those pillars and continued, lifelong learning is a stalwart component of HTG’s DNA. We also place considerable emphasis on acts of giving and kindness. From our internal recognition programme to paid time off for volunteering in the local community, we know the power of philanthropic endeavours.
Pricing
- Price
- £325 to £1,900 a unit a day
- Discount for educational organisations
- Yes
Service documents
Request an accessible format
If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need versions of these documents in a more accessible format,
email the supplier at david@htg.co.uk.
Tell them what format you need. It will help if you say what assistive technology you use.