Howell Technology Group Limited

HTG Microsoft Azure Virtual Desktop (Gold Advanced Specialist Partner)

We deliver Azure Virtual Desktop (AVD) and offer an end to end, bespoke managed service. Built upon cutting-edge, enterprise-grade technology to guarantee outstanding performance, our in-house solutions experts can design and build a solution to meet your needs.

Features

• Full range of Microsoft AVD and Azure services
• Security and regulatory compliance for cloud services
• Optimisation services (performance & cost)
• Design, Build, and Support services
• Storage services including hybrid, backup, BCDR, and archiving
• Full management & monitoring
• 24x7x365 Support
• WVD advanced specialist partner, including Managed Instance and PaaS
• Projection and planning services, including performance, demand, and cost
• Integration specialist and expertise providing the best user experience

Benefits

• Platform of choice encompassing Windows 11/10 environment
• Office 365 apps performance comparable to locally hosted desktop
• Fast login/load times/HPC/GPU
• Simplified management
• Enhanced security witth SSO and MFA
• Superior economics
• Infrastructure savings: multi-session Windows significantly reduces compute costs
• Assured planning and migration for specific workloads
• Confidence in planning and migrating to AVD Azure
• Multiple commercial models available

£0.99 to £99 an instance an hour

• Education pricing available

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

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.

Framework

G-Cloud 14

Service ID

786414767315519

Contact

David Maginnes
03304609828
david@htg.co.uk

Service scope

• Service constraints: None
• System requirements:
  • Microsoft Windows Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 7
  • Minimum Apple MAC OS 10.11 or later
  • Linux OS x86
  • Apple IOS iOS 9.0 or later
  • Google Chrome
  • Android 4.4 and up
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2022, 2019,2016, 2012, and 2012R2.
  • HTML 5 browser enabled devices

User support

• Email or online ticketing support: Email or online ticketing
• Support response times: UK Mon-Friday 8am-6pm excluding public holidays ; ; Priority - Response - Update frequency; 1 (Critical) - 30 Minutes - 1 Hour ; 2 (High) - 1 Hour - 2 Hours; 3 (Medium) - 1 Hour - Daily; 4 (Low) - 1 Hour - Every 2nd Day; ; Outside of working hours TBD
• User can manage status and priority of support tickets: Yes
• Online ticketing support accessibility: None or don’t know
• Phone support: Yes
• Phone support availability: 24 hours, 7 days a week
• Web chat support: Web chat
• Web chat support availability: 9 to 5 (UK time), Monday to Friday
• Web chat support accessibility standard: WCAG 2.1 AAA
• Web chat accessibility testing: FreshService Web chat is utilised and works in conjunction with the end device assistive technology devices
• Onsite support: Yes, at extra cost
• Support levels: HTG is a specialist partner with all major cloud hosting providers such as Microsoft, Citrix and VMware Cloud services. As an MSP and CSP, we provide dedicated 1st line monitoring and triage resource, weekly/monthly reporting, advanced troubleshooting/ problem management, independent platform assurance along with Pre and Post-Sales Support. HTG follow ISO27001 and ITIL service management processes to support customers in aligning IT services with the needs of the business. HTG also have an established help desk, providing support Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. However, this help desk can be made available to support the additional needs of the client. - HTG is also certified in all our software services technologies which include Microsoft, Citrix, Nutanix, VMware, ThinPrint, ThinPrint, IGEL, ControlUP, Lastpass and Veaam. This provides access to our highly qualified consultants along with access to our well-established escalation paths into all of these organisations and community users groups that we are pro-active in.
• Support available to third parties: Yes

Onboarding and offboarding

• Getting started: HTG provide a full on-boarding service with supported online training supporting user documentation.
• Service documentation: Yes
• Documentation formats:
  • HTML
  • ODF
  • PDF
• End-of-contract data extraction: Data can be extracted through multiple solutions and HTG will work with the end user to determine the most appropriate solution that meets their requirements.
• End-of-contract process: HTG will immediately stop providing the agreed service. ; ; Payments due or payable by you under this agreement will become due and payable immediately, including any unpaid charges due for the remainder of the initial term or any renewal term (except where the agreement has ended for HTG's material breach).; ; Within 30 days after this agreement ends, each of us will return all confidential information of the other in its possession at the time this agreement ends and will not make or keep any copies of that confidential information except as required to comply with any applicable legal or accounting record keeping requirement.

Using the service

• Web browser interface: No
• API: No
• Command line interface: No

Scaling

• Scaling available: Yes
• Scaling type:
  • Automatic
  • Manual
• Independence of resources: HTG provision the Cloud Storage service from highly available hosting suppliers.; ; These are secure, resilient and well equipped to handle the demands of future computing trends such as high density computing, virtualisation, energy conservation, distributed storage and multi site disaster recovery.
• Usage notifications: Yes
• Usage reporting:
  • API
  • Email
  • SMS

Analytics

• Infrastructure or application metrics: Yes
• Metrics types:
  • CPU
  • Disk
  • HTTP request and response status
  • Memory
  • Network
  • Number of active instances
  • Other
• Other metrics:
  • Citrix Analytics
  • Azure Dashboards
  • End-to-end network and application management, visibility, and automation
  • Microsoft Sentinel
  • Microsoft Lighthouse
• Reporting types:
  • Real-time dashboards
  • Regular reports
  • Reports on request

Resellers

• Supplier type: Reseller providing extra features and support
• Organisation whose services are being resold: Citrix, Microsoft, VMware, IGEL, ControlUP, LastPass, Veeam, Exclaimer, Nulia, Decisions

Staff security

• Staff security clearance: Conforms to BS7858:2019
• Government security clearance: Up to Developed Vetting (DV)

Asset protection

• Knowledge of data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Data storage and processing locations:
  • United Kingdom
  • European Economic Area (EEA)
• User control over data storage and processing locations: Yes
• Datacentre security standards: Managed by a third party
• Penetration testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Penetration testing approach: ‘IT Health Check’ performed by a CHECK service provider
• Protecting data at rest:
  • Physical access control, complying with CSA CCM v3.0
  • Physical access control, complying with SSAE-16 / ISAE 3402
  • Physical access control, complying with another standard
  • Encryption of all physical media
  • Scale, obfuscating techniques, or data storage sharding
• Data sanitisation process: Yes
• Data sanitisation type:
  • Explicit overwriting of storage before reallocation
  • Deleted data can’t be directly accessed
  • Hardware containing data is completely destroyed
• Equipment disposal approach: Complying with a recognised standard, for example CSA CCM v.30, CAS (Sanitisation) or ISO/IEC 27001

Backup and recovery

• Backup and recovery: Yes
• What’s backed up:
  • Files
  • Virtual Machines
  • Databases
  • User Profiles
• Backup controls: HTG Managed Service provides full support for backups
• Datacentre setup: Multiple datacentres with disaster recovery
• Scheduling backups: Users contact the support team to schedule backups
• Backup recovery:
  • Users can recover backups themselves, for example through a web interface
  • Users contact the support team

Data-in-transit protection

• Data protection between buyer and supplier networks: Private network or public sector network
• Data protection within supplier network:
  • TLS (version 1.2 or above)
  • IPsec or TLS VPN gateway

Availability and resilience

• Guaranteed availability: HTG will ensure 100% uptime for Cloud Hosting Platform services as monitored by HTG systems, in line with industry best practice. Only a Cloud Hosting Platform activated by a customer at the time of a failure will be covered by this SLA. ; ; Should a Cloud Hosting Platform fall below the 100% uptime, HTG will work with the customer and use all commercially reasonable endeavours to recover the Cloud Hosting Platform and any associated data.
• Approach to resilience: Available upon request.
• Outage reporting: Email alerts, API integration with Serivce Now, and public dashboards

Identity and authentication

• User authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Limited access network (for example PSN)
  • Dedicated link (for example VPN)
  • Username or password
• Access restrictions in management interfaces and support channels: Access to all service interfaces (for consumers and providers) is constrained to authenticated and authorised individuals. ; ; Remote management access is authenticated and directly associated to authorised individuals rather than group accounts. ; ; All managed systems monitored and access logged and tracked for auditing purposes
• Access restriction testing frequency: At least every 6 months
• Management access authentication:
  • 2-factor authentication
  • Public key authentication (including by TLS client certificate)
  • Identity federation with existing provider (for example Google Apps)
  • Username or password
• Devices users manage the service through:
  • Dedicated device on a segregated network (providers own provision)
  • Dedicated device on a government network (for example PSN)
  • Dedicated device over multiple services or networks

Audit information for users

• Access to user activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long user audit data is stored for: User-defined
• Access to supplier activity audit information: Users have access to real-time audit information
• How long supplier audit data is stored for: At least 12 months
• How long system logs are stored for: At least 12 months

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 Gold Security Partner
  • Microsoft Advanced Specialist Security Partner
  • Microsoft Certified Security Solutions Partner

Security governance

• Named board-level person responsible for service security: Yes
• Security governance certified: Yes
• Security governance standards: ISO/IEC 27001
• Information security policies and processes: HTG have an internal security policy and comply with ISO/ IEC 27001 recommendations.

Operational security

• Configuration and change management standard: Supplier-defined controls
• Configuration and change management approach: HTG's change management processes are in line with ISO27001 control A.12.2 Controlled mechanism for making changes to the operational environment are in place.
• Vulnerability management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Vulnerability management approach: HTG vulnerability management process is aligned with ISO27001:2013 control A12.6.1 which addresses 3 key areas:; ; • Timely identification of vulnerabilities; • Assessment of or exposure to a vulnerability; • Defined measures to address the risk
• Protective monitoring type: Supplier-defined controls
• Protective monitoring approach: HTG Protective Monitoring process is aligned with ISO27001:2013 control A.12.4 which details:; ; • Event Logging; • Protection of log information; • Admin & operator logs; • Clock synchronisation; • Incident Management
• Incident management type: Supplier-defined controls
• Incident management approach: HTG incident management process is aligned with ISO27001:2013 control A.16.1 which details:; ; • The full incident management procedure; • Responsibilities & procedures; • Assessment of and decision on security events; • Response process; • Evidence collection; • Learning from incidents

Secure development

• Approach to secure software development best practice: Independent review of processes (for example CESG CPA Build Standard, ISO/IEC 27034, ISO/IEC 27001 or CSA CCM v3.0)

Separation between users

• Virtualisation technology used to keep applications and users sharing the same infrastructure apart: Yes
• Who implements virtualisation: Supplier
• Virtualisation technologies used: Other
• Other virtualisation technology used: VMware, Hyper-V ,Citrix XenServer, Nutanix Acropolis AHV
• How shared infrastructure is kept separate: Each tenant’s servers are segregated into their own VLAN. HTG consults with clients determine if servers need configured to further split server farms over separate security zones. This ensures that uncontrolled network communications do not occur through adjacent architectural tiers storage presentation is segregated through the use of fibre-channel zoning, prohibiting any host from accessing unauthorised storage areas

Energy efficiency

• Energy-efficient datacentres: Yes
• Description of energy efficient datacentres: Our offerings reside in public cloud data centres which adhere to the EU code for energy-efficient datacentres. In addition to the code, these data centres promote carbon neutrality and the use of renewable energy.

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: £0.99 to £99 an instance an hour
• Discount for educational organisations: Yes
• Free trial available: No

Service documents

• Pricing document

  PDF

• Skills Framework for the Information Age rate card

  PDF

• Service definition document

  PDF

• Terms and conditions

  PDF

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.