“Forefront Endpoint Protection is three times more cost effective than our previous solution, and…We use the existing System Center Configuration Manager 2007 infrastructure servers at no extra cost.”

Bert Van Hemelen, Information and Communications Technology Infrastructure Coordinator, De Lijn

Belgium-based transport operator De Lijn wanted to reduce its infrastructure operating and maintenance costs, while ensuring better reporting and security against malicious software (malware) attacks. Computacenter recommended Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3 and Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010. The solution is highly resilient and reliable, and three times more cost effective than the previous system.

Business NeedsOwned by the Flemish government in Belgium, Mechelen-based De Lijn operates public transport, including buses and trams, throughout Flanders. It serves a population of 6.5 million and employs 8,561 people. De Lijn is proud of its reputation as a reliable service operator and depends on efficient monitoring of its core computerised systems to ensure optimum performance.

Microsoft technology is at the centre of its desktop management infrastructure, with De Lijn becoming an early adopter of Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007. Bert Van Hemelen, Information and Communications Technology Infrastructure Coordinator, De Lijn, says: “Business continuity is vital to De Lijn in maintaining its reputation for safety, reliability, and efficiency.”

De Lijn was running Symantec security products to protect its desktop estate, but the system was expensive to maintain and presented design challenges when they needed to upgrade. Kenny Buntinx, Microsoft Practice Leader at Microsoft Gold Certified Partner

Computacenter, which advises De Lijn, says: “Previously, it could take up to two hours to provision a server operating system, install latest software updates, and ensure that an antivirus agent was installed with the latest antimalware definition file.”

In addition, De Lijn wanted to monitor the performance of its newly installed electronic bus-stop displays, which provide real-time passenger information to travellers using a third-party solution with Windows Embedded technology, managed and provisioned by Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3.

SolutionComputacenter recommended that De Lijn upgrade to System Center Configuration Manager 2007 R3 from Microsoft Systems Management Server 2003, and deploy Microsoft Forefront Endpoint Protection 2010 antivirus software.

System Center Configuration Manager 2007—which assesses, deploys, and updates servers, computers, and devices across different environments—was a good fit for the company. Buntinx says: “Optimised for Windows, it was the best

Customer: De LijnWebsite: www.delijn.beNumber of Employees: 8,561Country or Region: BelgiumIndustry: Transportation and logistics—Rail transportation servicesPartner: Computacenter

Customer ProfileBelgium-based De Lijn operates public transport throughout Flanders. In 2009, it transported more than 530 million passengers.

Software and Services Microsoft Server Product Portfolio− Microsoft System Center

Configuration Manager 2007 R3− Microsoft Forefront Endpoint

Protection 2010

For more information about other Microsoft customer successes, please visit: www.microsoft.com/casestudies

Microsoft System CenterCustomer Solution Case Study

Transport Operator Makes Security System Three Times More Cost Effective Than Before

choice for De Lijn in gaining enhanced insight into and control over its IT systems, and ensuring maximum uptime and business continuity.”

Forefront Endpoint Protection is helping De Lijn align security and management to improve protection for desktop computers, portable computers, mobile devices, and specialised equipment such as point-of-sale terminals. A server hosts the centralised security program, which verifies logons and sends Forefront Endpoint Protection definition updates. It builds on System Center Configuration Manager 2007, allowing the transport operator to use its existing client management infrastructure to deploy and manage protection against viruses and malware.

Forefront Endpoint Protection also includes a management pack for real-time monitoring of infrastructure security. The pack provides alerts for virus activity, firewall downtime, or update failures, and has automated response capabilities for security issues.

BenefitsWith System Center Configuration Manager 2007 and Forefront Endpoint Protection, De Lijn can manage its IT infrastructure effectively. And, with less time spent on maintenance, it has significantly reduced total cost of ownership. Van Hemelen says: “Forefront Endpoint Protection is three times more cost effective than our previous solution, and the total cost of ownership is impressive because we use the existing System Center Configuration Manager 2007 infrastructure servers at no extra cost.”

Single console view for monitoring and security. Forefront Endpoint Protection offers De Lijn a single console to monitor its infrastructure and security, which was previously done separately with different systems that involved a duplication of resources.

Integrated reporting creates greater efficiency. The solution offers integrated reporting and extends to vulnerability shielding and Windows firewall management. Van Hemelen says: “The combined workstreams for monitoring infrastructure and protection have

resulted in increased efficiency and reduced the cost of maintenance.”

Company benefits from low-cost licensing. As a Microsoft Services Enterprise Agreement subscriber, De Lijn has acquired the licences for Forefront Endpoint Protection at no extra cost.

Ease of migration results in seamless transition. The antivirus software is highly reliable and migration to Forefront Endpoint Protection was achieved quickly and easily. “We were able to migrate 1,800 machines in just three weeks,” says Buntinx.

Automation cuts time for antivirus software updates. Instead of taking up to two hours to update servers by hand with antivirus software, Forefront Endpoint Protection does the work automatically in just 20 minutes.

Monitoring extends to passenger information screens. De Lijn is using System Center Configuration Manager and Forefront Endpoint Protection to run its 3,000 newly installed electronic bus-stop displays.

This case study is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY.

Document published May 2011