Beesley & Fildes deploys 10ZiG zero clients at branches
Mon, 1st Jun 2026 (Today)
Beesley & Fildes has deployed 10ZiG zero clients across nine branches in the North West of England.
The builders' merchant, one of the region's oldest independent operators, introduced the devices as part of a broader effort to strengthen endpoint security and simplify desktop management across a hybrid IT estate. It supports about 300 staff and manages more than 150 endpoints, including desktops, laptops and zero clients.
The move followed the collapse of its previous thin client supplier, AXEL, which left Beesley & Fildes facing the prospect of running devices without future firmware or security updates. That raised compliance concerns for a business with systems spanning branch operations, remote workers and cloud-hosted applications.
After reviewing several suppliers, Beesley & Fildes selected 10ZiG following a proof-of-concept trial using zero clients linked to a Remote Desktop Services environment in Microsoft Azure. The deployment included 10ZiG 7048q Series and 4648q Series devices, managed through the vendor's 10ZiG Manager software.
Staff at branch counters and in sales offices use the endpoints to access core applications including Microsoft 365 and Epicor BisTrack, an enterprise resource planning platform for the building supply sector. The setup sits within a broader Microsoft Azure infrastructure alongside VPN connectivity, multi-factor authentication, remote monitoring and management, mobile device management, and conditional access controls.
Rob John, IT Services Manager at Beesley & Fildes, said the business could not continue using hardware that no longer received security support.
"We take cybersecurity extremely seriously and simply could not continue running endpoints that were no longer receiving firmware and security updates," said Rob John, IT Services Manager at Beesley & Fildes.
"Our original devices were still working perfectly well, but we had to protect the business and ensure we remained compliant from a cybersecurity perspective."
The deployment was supplied through Panacea Logic and completed by Beesley & Fildes' two-person IT team. The migration allowed staff to continue using the same cloud-hosted services without disruption.
Procurement process
John said the selection process hinged on how closely suppliers engaged with the company's technical environment during the evaluation.
"We looked at multiple vendors, but 10ZiG immediately stood out because they actually engaged with us to understand our environment," he said.
"Other bigger vendors largely treated us as just another order number, whereas 10ZiG worked with us closely throughout the procurement process. We trialled their devices, connected them to our Azure environment and quickly realised how easy they were to deploy and manage."
Once selected, the software was configured to automate device naming and assign the correct settings when new hardware connected to the network. That reduced the work needed to prepare systems branch by branch.
"The automation within 10ZiG Manager has been hugely impressive," said Shaun Partington, IT Systems Administrator at Beesley & Fildes.
"We configured the management platform so devices automatically renamed themselves and pulled down the correct profile as soon as they connected to the network."
He said the practical effect was shorter installation times at branch level.
"In practical terms, that meant we could deploy devices incredibly quickly," Partington said.
"Once the prep work had been completed, we literally plugged a zero client device into the network and within seconds it was configured and ready for the user."
Cloud foundation
Central management marked a shift from older maintenance methods that required in-person visits to multiple sites. For a distributed business, that cuts routine administration and reduces the burden on a small internal IT team.
"For us, one of the biggest successes was the simplicity and speed of deployment. Years ago, firmware updates involved physically travelling between branches with USB sticks," John said.
"With 10ZiG, everything is centrally managed and automated. That represents a major operational improvement for a business like ours, which operates across multiple sites. Users simply log in to access applications exactly as before. Behind the scenes, we now have far more modern, secure and manageable endpoint infrastructure."
Beesley & Fildes sees the project as part of a longer-term desktop strategy tied to Azure, including the potential use of Azure Virtual Desktop. The rollout provides a managed endpoint base to support further changes in how staff access systems across branches and remote locations.
James Broughton, Sales Director EMEA at 10ZiG, said the deployment reflected wider demand for simpler endpoint administration in cloud-based workplaces.
"Organisations increasingly need endpoint solutions that simplify management while supporting secure, cloud-based work environments," said James Broughton, Sales Director EMEA at 10ZiG.
"Beesley & Fildes is an excellent example of how companies can update endpoint infrastructure quickly while improving security, operational efficiency and long-term flexibility, and we're delighted to support its ongoing cloud and digital workplace strategy."