CASE STUDY- IAP- August 2004
by LapSafe®

Theft-Trace(tm)- International Laptop Recovery

The Client

The client is an IT service provider operating principally in the SME and local government sectors, but also working with voluntary groups. Their offering is broad, ranging from the supply of hardware to custom-built software provision and IT support for corporate and individual customers. Over ten per cent of the client's corporate profits are donated to local charities and community groups.

The Requirement

The client was awarded a major contract to supply computers to children in care - including those placed with carers, as well as those in children's homes. The government funded initiative enables these children to have access to computers for educational use. The client recognised that computers used in this project would need to be moved frequently from one location to another and would, in some circumstances, be vulnerable to loss or theft.

The Solution

The client's background and expertise in IT meant that it was not prepared to accept a solution unless it had been fully tested in-house and found to be robust. The initial step therefore was to install the tracking software on one of its own computers. The testing procedures included removal of the computer's operating system and reformatting of the hard drive, but despite these actions the tracking software still made its distress call as soon as the computer was connected to the Internet. Satisfied that the software was as indestructible as possible, the client purchased their first licenses.

Now with some 200 licences, the tracking software has allowed the client to recover several stolen machines. Because the client's project is group-based, word travels fast and news of stolen computers that have been recovered by mean of the tracking software acts as a very real deterrent to 'would be' thieves.

The client is about to embark on the management of a similar project, which will supply computers to young people who are unable to attend school, often because they need to spend long periods of time in hospital. A computer gives them access to online support and teaching and the means to continue their education. It is now the client's policy to install software tracking on all laptops and desktops used in projects such as these. As well as acting as a deterrent to theft, the software also allows the client to successfully recover machines that would otherwise have to be written off.