UK first with cloud modem management for officers

It says the transformational connectivity approach removes the need to take a device into an office or station by exploiting Microsoft technology. It also complies with the National Enabling Programmes’ security risk management controls.

Around 1,600 users across the force have received either a Microsoft Surface Laptop, Pro or Go and, depending on role, a new Android Samsung A40 – delivered to their home or the headquarters.

As standard, all the warranted staff, regardless of their deployment, have received a Surface/Samsung A40 combination delivering existing business apps, Microsoft 365 productivity tools and connectivity any time any place. This means regardless of role, officers can be deployed between office and the front line with ease, always having the technology to perform any task.

Not only are staff working more effectively but the technology team is registering some highly significant savings on device build costs, said City of London Police.

Head of ICT Jonathan Chapman explains: “Previously it would take an engineer up to three days to build and securely configure legacy Windows 7 devices in batches. We calculated this at an average cost of £270 per device – an overhead of nearly 50 per cent on the cost of a new device.

“Now, through our use of Microsoft InTune and Modern Management and utilising Microsoft 365, we can provision and deliver a laptop to a person’s work or home for just £16 – direct from our supplier without it ever needing to physically enter our estate. Once delivered a user simply turns on the device and connects it to any wi-fi, from where it configures it for them and their role.

“We have also taken the opportunity to securely resell the old devices to make the replacement roll-out as economic and environmentally friendly as possible.”