a.s.r., one of the largest insurers in the Netherlands with more than 6.5 million customers, decided to modernize its digital workspace. Following its merger with Aegon Netherlands in 2023, the organization experienced significant growth, increasing the need for a flexible and scalable workspace. With Orange Business as its workplace transformation partner and Application Workspace from Recast Software as the foundation, employees now have access to the right applications anytime and anywhere through a virtual workspace. Over time, this solution will be rolled out to all employees, aligned with the organization’s new ambitions and needs.
Rapid Transition to a New Virtual Workspace
When a.s.r. engaged with Orange Business, key developments within the organization and IT landscape made a new digital workspace essential. However, time was of the essence for employees using a virtual workspace, requiring a swift transition to the new flexible solution. a.s.r. set high standards for the workspace platform: a single platform for virtual workspaces, with the flexibility to deploy each workspace separately for different business lines. Additionally, there was a need to simplify the increasingly complex application landscape while adhering to the DTAP principle (Development, Testing, Acceptance, Production) to ensure controlled application testing and reliable deployment. This set of requirements created a need for a future-proof workspace solution that is both reliable and flexible.
Why Application Workspace?
Standard distribution methods like Microsoft Intune did not provide the necessary flexibility for a.s.r. Choosing Recast Software’s Application Workspace was therefore a logical decision. This powerful platform integrates application distribution and management software into a single solution. With its context-aware interface and unified user experience for application management, employees can work efficiently—regardless of the underlying technology, application, device, or employee role.
Application Workspace also ensures reliable software distribution. Organization-wide updates and patches are rolled out seamlessly, ensuring that everyone always has access to the latest software versions. Additionally, the platform replaces all old custom scripts with built-in features, simplifying and stabilizing management. Legacy applications remain accessible without compromising efficiency. This makes Application Workspace highly versatile in different IT environments and easily adaptable to various needs. Furthermore, Application Workspace supports multiple zones and identity sources, giving a.s.r. the flexibility to deploy and manage workspaces efficiently and purposefully. This scalable solution elevates application management while maintaining full flexibility and control—a major step forward for a.s.r.!
The Solution at a Glance
Application Workspace offers a scalable solution that enables a.s.r. to centrally manage applications and deploy them in various contexts. Employees have immediate access to the right software, whenever and wherever they need it. Additionally, Application Workspace allows for a controlled and predictable application testing process—first technically, then by key users, and finally in production— aligning with the DTAP process. This ensures a stable work environment without disruptions.
Results and Benefits
The implementation of Application Workspace brought standardization and automation to application management—essential for an organization of this scale.
Employees have access to precisely the applications they need. A key advantage for a.s.r. is the layered approach enabled by Application Workspace. The platform allows different user groups to be served in a way that meets their specific needs. This flexibility is highly valuable to a.s.r., where diverse teams and functions each have unique application requirements. With a well-structured setup, a.s.r. manages applications effortlessly and can accurately allocate costs to the appropriate business units. The improved manageability and scalability reduce manual steps and accelerate updates—making application management not only more efficient but also future-proof.
Employees have access to precisely the applications they need. A key advantage for a.s.r. is the layered approach enabled by Application Workspace. The platform allows different user groups to be served in a way that meets their specific needs. This flexibility is highly valuable to a.s.r., where diverse teams and functions each have unique application requirements. With a well-structured setup, a.s.r. manages applications effortlessly and can accurately allocate costs to the appropriate business units. The improved manageability and scalability reduce manual steps and accelerate updates—making application management not only more efficient but also future-proof.