Configuration Centre

Why it matters

Organisations struggle with unprecedented IT support demands across scattered teams, remote locations and increasingly diverse device ecosystems. Users spread across multiple sites expect instant resolution and frictionless technology experiences that enable productivity. Legacy reactive support models fail to deliver. Field service demands are fragmented: devices need staging and configuration before deployment, ongoing maintenance and repair throughout their lives, smart hands support at data centre colocation facilities and specialist support for retail operations. Managing this complexity in-house stretches support teams thin. Device staging requires secure facilities and trained technicians. Field engineers need efficient routing, skills-based dispatch and parts availability coordination. Data centre work demands specialist knowledge and off-hours availability. Retail operations require understanding of point-of-sale systems and branch workflows.

SCC provides integrated service desk and field service operations that extend far beyond break-fix support. We stage and configure devices at scale before deployment, applying security baselines and application stacks consistently. We deliver 24/7 field engineering across the UK with same-day or next-day response where required. We provide specialised smart hands support for data centre operations, helping you manage colocation facilities without maintaining internal teams. We offer dedicated retail branch support with rapid device replacement and preventive maintenance coordination. We integrate with ServiceNow to automate routine requests, handle escalation intelligently and give you visibility into service levels. Our field service management platform optimises engineer dispatch based on skills, location, parts availability and customer priorities. The result: first-time fix improvements, measurable travel cost reduction, continuous business operations and user satisfaction gains.

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Capabilities

Traditional image deployment methods

The configuration centre supports offline image deployment without the need for the customer to provide a deployment server. Customers can supply ISO or WIM files, which are deployed at scale using SCC’s MDT/WinPE environment. This enables a smooth transition and efficient deployment of base images directly within the centre. Where required, builds can also be deployed via local USB. In addition, the centre can host customer-owned deployment servers, including solutions such as Microsoft Endpoint Configuration Manager (MECM) and MDT.

Modern management Microsoft autopilot

SCC supports both an automated Microsoft Autopilot out-of-box experience and a manual pre-provisioning (White Glove) approach. These services are designed for Windows 11 and use Microsoft 365 cloud-based tooling to configure and profile devices over the internet. This modern management approach enables customers to operate in dynamic environments while fully leveraging Microsoft 365 Enterprise Management and Security capabilities. By integrating Autopilot into SCC’s high-speed supply chain, time-to-desk is reduced and customers can maintain focus on core business activity.

Flexible connectivity options are available, including customer-provided ADSL/MPLS/VPN links for hybrid scenarios or SCC internet connectivity for full Azure AD or pre-provisioning deployments. Devices can be registered through SCC’s partner centre or enrolled directly into a customer’s endpoint environment to support efficient pre-staging and user-led deployment.

Bespoke user customisation

Standard gold build images can be enhanced with individual or bundled applications, enabling devices to be configured to specific user requirements prior to delivery. Where required, full user profiling can also be completed by extending the customer’s domain into the configuration centre.

Mobile device solutions

As customers increasingly adopt mobile working models, SCC supports the supply and configuration of a wide range of devices, including Android tablets and phones and Apple products. Devices can be asset tagged and power tested to support asset management and reduce end-user delays caused by faulty equipment.

Additional services include SIM installation, capture of SIM and IMEI details, and the fitting of screen protectors and cases to enhance the end-user experience. Configuration can be extended further through enrolment into a customer’s Mobile Device Management (MDM) solution, installation of the latest operating system updates, and deployment of business and user applications, significantly reducing time to desk and enabling users to focus on their core roles.

Asset recording

New equipment is added to the asset inventory early in the procurement cycle to support deployment and maintain a full audit trail. Asset details are captured and identification tags applied as part of the configuration process following successful DOA testing.

Packaging reduction

SCC reduces packaging across the supply chain, focusing on minimising single-use plastics and working with vendors such as HP, Lenovo and Cisco to adopt recyclable materials with post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content. Many products now use 100% post-consumer moulded fibre packaging, with polystyrene avoided in favour of fibre, pulp and LDPE, and digital manuals replacing printed materials.

Packaging is further reduced through operational measures including removing packaging before dispatch, combining devices and peripherals, and using bubble bags within cages for large rollouts—cutting packaging volume, transport costs and vehicle movements.

How it works

Step 1

Assess your IT support footprint and device estate

We evaluate your user distribution across locations, current support coverage gaps, device deployment patterns and ongoing maintenance demands. We understand your IT support priorities: is rapid response critical for revenue-facing operations? Are distributed field teams dependent on mobile device availability? Does your infrastructure require data centre support? Are retail branch operations supported today or is that a gap?

Step 2

Design configuration and staging builds for your environment

Based on your device requirements and security standards, we design staging and configuration builds at our facilities. We define security baselines, standard application stacks and deployment readiness criteria. For IMAC services, we plan the initial deployment workflow. For retail or field operations, we design specialist configurations that account for those specific environments.

Step 3

Stage and configure devices before deployment

Devices arrive at our staging facilities, where we apply consistent security hardening, asset tagging, standard application installation and validation. Every device meets your baselines before shipment. We coordinate timing so devices arrive at users already configured and ready for deployment. IMAC services coordinate initial user setup. Retail and field devices receive specialist configuration for those environments.

Step 4

Deploy with IMAC services and engineer support

We coordinate device delivery to users and deploy with IMAC engineering support where required. For complex deployments, our engineers configure user settings, migrate data and provide initial user training. Ongoing IMAC services handle user moves, equipment changes and account changes without disrupting operations. Smart hands services support data centre deployments and cabling changes.

Step 5

Provide ongoing FSM, maintenance and depot repair support

Throughout device lifecycles, we deliver field service management, preventive maintenance and rapid repair support. Our 24/7 proactive monitoring identifies issues before users experience impact. When repairs are needed, depot facilities provide same-day or next-day turnaround where possible. Parts and spares logistics ensure engineers have components available. When devices reach end of life, we coordinate secure data destruction and recycling through certified partners.

Partners

SCC partners with leading technology platforms and service providers to deliver integrated configuration and field service capabilities:

ServiceNow delivers a unified IT operations platform managing service delivery, incident response, change management and workflow automation. SCC helps organisations move from fragmented IT tooling toward ServiceNow-based operations, redesigning processes for efficiency and improving visibility…

Microsoft’s integrated platform spans Azure cloud infrastructure, Microsoft 365 productivity tools, Dynamics business applications and enterprise security. SCC is a Gold CSP partner delivering Azure migrations, Microsoft 365 rollout, Dynamics implementation and ongoing managed operations. We manage…

HP delivers workplace devices and print technology for organisations of all sizes. SCC is an HP Premium Partner managing device procurement, managed print services and workplace technology across UK organisations. We actively manage 5,000+ HP devices and 25,000+ print pages daily through managed…

Dell Technologies provides scalable compute, storage and data protection platforms for modern hybrid environments, supporting virtualisation, analytics and AI workloads across data centre and cloud infrastructure. SCC has achieved Titanium Black partner status with Dell Technologies, the highest…

Lenovo provides reliable, efficient infrastructure for modern data centres, spanning servers, storage, networking and high-performance computing for virtualisation, hybrid cloud and AI workloads. SCC is a Lenovo Platinum Business Partner and UK Partner of the Year, delivering scalable platforms…

Unleash the power of Apple platform together with SCC

With Apple products, companies of all sizes and in all industries are changing the way they work, and discovering new ways to create lasting business value.

Apple hardware, software, and services are designed together…

Awards and accreditations

ISO 9001

We are committed to making a real difference when helping our customers align IT with their wider business objectives. Our dedication to improving our processes, systems and procedures to streamline operations and reduce costs is not only evidenced internally but seen in how we help our customers to stay ahead of competitors.

ISO 45001

We are committed to protect the health and safety of all of our staff, community, customers and partners. We seek continual improvement to frequently develop by identifying opportunities for open consultations to ensure we deploy and share health and safety best practices.

ISO 27001

We treat information security as a business-critical issue and have security-positive environment. We deploy fundamental security principles across the business to ensure business continuity whilst minimising the impact of security threats.

ISO 14001

The impact we have on the environment becomes increasingly important as we continue to develop more innovative and effective environmental management systems. We are working towards a more efficient use of our resource as well as reducing waste produced from our operations to minimise any negative impact our operations have on the environment and lead us to a more sustainable future.

ISO 22301

We know that continuity is key therefore we plan, establish, implement, operate, monitor, review, maintain and continually improve a documented management system to protect against, reduce the likelihood of occurrence, prepare for, respond to, and recover from disruptive incidents when they arise.

Ready to move IT support from reactive to proactive?

Service desk excellence begins with integrated device staging, intelligent field service management and 24/7 operational visibility. Let’s assess how configuration centre and field services can reduce your support costs while improving user satisfaction.

Speak to a specialist

FAQs

What’s the difference between IMAC and IMACD services?

IMAC covers Install, Move, Add and Change, initial device deployment, user relocation with new devices, addition of new equipment to existing user environments and configuration changes as roles evolve. IMACD adds the D for Disposal, the secure data destruction and device retirement component. If you require secure end-of-life handling with compliance documentation, IMACD is the appropriate service. Many organisations use IMAC for ongoing support and IMACD for planned refresh cycles.

What’s included in configuration centre staging, and does it cover all device types?

We stage any device that can be configured: Windows PCs, Apple Macs, mobile devices, tablets and increasingly, specialist devices like point-of-sale terminals or field tablets. Staging includes security baseline hardening, standard application stack installation, asset tagging, device registration in your management systems, firmware updates and validation testing. Multi-vendor support means we handle Dell, HP, Lenovo, Apple and specialist devices. Retail branch devices receive specialist configuration for point-of-sale system integration. Field tablets are configured for offline operation and data synchronisation.

Do you provide retail branch support, and what’s involved?

Yes. Retail branch support specialises in point-of-sale systems, customer-facing technology, branch infrastructure and retail-specific devices. Our field engineers understand retail operational requirements and can work around customer-facing hours. Rapid device replacement keeps branches operational during peak trading. Preventive maintenance visits reduce unexpected failures. Coordinated parts and spares logistics ensure engineers can repair or replace systems same-visit. We work with retail organisations to understand seasonal peaks and resource accordingly.

How does field service management improve engineer utilisation and reduce travel costs?

Our FSM platform considers engineer skills, current location, parts availability, customer priorities and travel distance when dispatching work. Rather than assigning work based on availability alone, the system optimises for geographic clusters and skills matching. This reduces travel between job sites, increases first-time fix rates (when engineers have correct parts and skills), and improves customer satisfaction through more predictable arrival times. Real-time tracking and mobile applications keep engineers informed and reduce idle time.

What is smart hands data centre support and when would we need it?

Smart hands services provide on-site technical support at data centre colocation facilities, managed hosting environments and hybrid cloud deployments. Your infrastructure may be hosted in a facility you don’t own or staff. Smart hands engineers perform hardware installations, cable management, port resets, device swaps and diagnostic procedures under direction from your remote IT teams or our specialists. This eliminates the need to maintain internal data centre staff or travel to facilities for routine maintenance. Engineers are certified and available 24/7 for emergency callouts.