Case Studies > Cofaco
Cofaco optimizes security and simplifies IT with centralized virtual desktops in a strategic collaboration with Linkcom
This Azores-based industrial leader modernized its IT landscape by deploying Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI), reducing complexity, improving cybersecurity, and extending hardware lifecycle—achieving greater control and cost savings across its distributed operations.
INDUSTRY
Food Processing & Manufacturing (Canned Fish Industry)
CHALLENGE
Cofaco struggled with managing distributed IT across Lisbon and the Azores, facing rising costs, security risks, and limited control over remote devices. The company needed a centralized, secure, and scalable solution to support operations and simplify IT management.
OUTCOME
Cofaco now benefits from centralized desktop management, improved security, and reduced costs. IT operations are more efficient, remote access is secure, and hardware lifecycles have been extended — all within a scalable infrastructure.
SOLUTIONS
Linkcom implemented a VDI solution using UDS Enterprise, enabling centralized control, remote access, and secure virtual desktops.
The system simplified updates, enhanced compliance, and optimized existing hardware.
PLATFORMS
-
UDS Enterprise (VDI platform)
-
Centralized Data Center (Private Cloud Hosting)
-
Web-based Management Console (for system updates and policy deployment)
PROFESSIONAL & MANAGED SERVICES
-
IT Infrastructure Assessment
-
Solution Design & Project Management
-
Full VDI Implementation & Configuration
-
User Migration & Change Management
-
Ongoing Remote Monitoring & Support
-
Security Optimization & Policy Enforcement
CUSTOMER
Cofaco is a prominent Portuguese food manufacturer specializing in the production and export of high-quality canned fish. Established in 1961 through the merger of two historic canneries in the Algarve, the company relocated its core operations to the Azores to take strategic advantage of the region’s abundant tuna migration routes. This move laid the foundation for what would become one of the most respected names in the international seafood industry.
Headquartered in Lisbon, Cofaco operates its main production facilities in Rabo de Peixe, on São Miguel Island, positioning itself at the heart of sustainable Atlantic fishing. Today, the company produces more than 50 million cans annually, with a diversified portfolio that includes trusted consumer brands such as Bom Petisco, Tenório, and Pitéu. These products are distributed in over 30 countries, making Cofaco a key player in both the European and global markets.
Cofaco manages the entire value chain — from responsible fishing practices and artisanal processing to international distribution — ensuring full traceability, product excellence, and alignment with modern food safety and sustainability standards. In addition to its commercial success, the company plays a vital socioeconomic role in the Azores, being one of the region’s largest industrial employers and contributing significantly to local development.
By blending tradition with innovation, Cofaco continues to uphold its legacy while investing in technologies and infrastructure that enhance operational resilience and meet the evolving demands of the global food industry.
“Thanks to UDS Enterprise technology and administration, costs are reduced, while enhancing security, backup, and user experience"
João Pinote – IT Manager
Situation
Cofaco, one of Portugal’s leading canned fish producers, has been a household name for decades — with major operations based in Lisbon and production facilities strategically located in the Azores to leverage the region’s rich tuna migration routes. While its manufacturing heritage is rooted in tradition, the demands of modern industry brought increasing pressure on Cofaco’s IT operations. Distributed devices across mainland Portugal and the islands created a complex, decentralized infrastructure that was difficult to manage and secure effectively.
“The fact that we’re operating across such a wide geographical footprint — including remote islands — means our IT team was stretched thin trying to maintain control, security, and user support,” explained IT Management at Cofaco. “As the company scaled and modernized, it became clear we needed a robust, centralized solution to reduce risks and gain visibility over our systems.”
Faced with rising administrative costs, aging hardware, and the need for secure remote access, Cofaco set out to transform its digital workplace. The priority was to unify its desktop environment, improve data protection, and support operational continuity — especially in production-critical environments.
That’s when the company turned to Linkcom, a long-standing strategic IT partner, to help architect and deliver a sustainable infrastructure shift.
Solution
To meet Cofaco’s modernization goals, Linkcom proposed the deployment of a Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) solution, powered by UDS Enterprise. This marked a significant step in Cofaco’s digital transformation, enabling the IT team to transition from traditional device management to a centralized, cloud-ready desktop delivery model.
Through the VDI framework, Cofaco was able to virtualize all user desktops, ensuring that employees — regardless of their physical location — had secure, high-performance access to their applications and data. The new system was hosted in Cofaco’s central data center, eliminating reliance on endpoint storage and drastically minimizing the risk of data loss or leakage.
Implementing VDI changed their entire approach to IT, they moved from a reactive posture, constantly fixing physical machines in multiple locations, to a proactive one — managing all our endpoints from a single console.
Linkcom team worked closely with Cofaco at every step, helping to ensure not only a smooth transition, but also user adoption.
This solution also allowed Cofaco to repurpose existing hardware by converting older PCs into efficient thin clients, extending device lifecycles and avoiding unnecessary capital expenditure. From security patches to software rollouts, everything could now be done remotely, giving the IT department both agility and peace of mind.
Outcome
Cofaco’s investment in a centralized VDI environment delivered substantial improvements across its IT and operational landscape. With all user desktops virtualized and managed from a central data center, the company gained full visibility and control over its distributed infrastructure. This shift enabled the IT team to standardize configurations, enforce security policies, and deploy updates efficiently — regardless of geographic location.
The implementation resulted in a significant reduction in administrative overhead, with day-to-day IT operations becoming more predictable, scalable, and easier to maintain. Security was notably enhanced through the elimination of local data storage, ensuring sensitive information remained within a controlled environment and compliant with industry standards.
From a financial perspective, Cofaco achieved cost savings by extending the useful life of existing hardware, as older computers were repurposed as thin clients within the VDI ecosystem. This reduced the need for new equipment investments and contributed to lower energy consumption and maintenance costs.
Furthermore, the new infrastructure improved business continuity and workforce mobility, allowing secure remote access to desktops and applications. This flexibility has proven vital in supporting both production teams in the Azores and administrative users across the mainland.
In summary, the VDI solution provided Cofaco with a robust, secure, and future-proof IT foundation, reinforcing the company’s capacity to scale, innovate, and maintain operational excellence in a demanding industrial environment.
“Our VDI solution gives companies like Cofaco the ability to manage their entire desktop environment centrally, with greater security, lower costs, and full flexibility — especially valuable for teams working across multiple locations or remote facilities.”
Linkcom's VDI specialist
About Linkcom
Linkcom is a trusted provider of end-to-end IT solutions, specializing in secure infrastructure, cloud services, and modern workplace technologies. We design, implement, and manage digital environments tailored to each client's operational needs — whether on-premises, hybrid, or fully cloud-based.
With a client-centric approach, we support organizations at every stage of their digital transformation journey, helping them modernize systems, improve resilience, and adopt innovative solutions that drive performance and long-term growth.
.png)
Let's talk, shall we?
We are here to assist you with any questions or challenges your business faces.
Whether you’re looking to enhance your IT infrastructure, explore new technologies, or optimize operations, our experts are ready to help.
Or you may call us for an appointment
