Migrating to New Technologies

New York City Technology Forum

October 15, 2009

James Wedeking Solutions Director

jameswedeking@spherion.com

Agenda

Introductions
Overview of Windows 7 features
Migration Steps
Available Tools and Resources
Questions

Who are these people?

INTRODUCTIONS

Introduction to Spherion

$2.2B Company, NYSE: SFN

IT value-added staffing, direct-hire and temporary
recruitment and IT Solutions
Work with over 25 City of NY Agencies
NYC Technology Forum - Anchor Sponsor for 7 years

In addition to staffing and recruiting, Spherion

provides a wide variety of IT Solutions
Technology Project and Solution Services
Technology Support Services (Support IT)
Deployment Services (Deploy IT)
Embedded Technology Engineering (Engineer IT)
IT Consulting and Outsourcing
Infrastructure Management Services (Design & Manage IT)
IT Strategy (Navigate IT)
Application Management (Program IT)
Outsourcing (Let someone else do IT)

Why would you move to Windows 7?

WINDOWS 7 FEATURES

Windows 7 Professional offers enhancements over

previous versions
Works The Way You
Works The
Way You
Want
Want

Fundamentals
Faster and more
reliable

Compatibility
Windows XP Mode*

Networking
HomeGroup
Domain Join and
Group Policy Control

Troubleshooting
Action Center
Problem Steps
Recorder

Get More Done

Get More Done

Ease of Use and

Ease
of Use and
Productivity
Productivity
Windows Desktop
Windows
Search Desktop
Search
Enhanced Taskbar
Enhanced
Taskbar
Snap,
Peek,
Shake
Snap, Peek, Shake
Libraries
Libraries
IE8
Accelerators
IE8 Accelerators

Mobility
Mobility
Location-Aware Printing
Location-Aware
Printing
Mobility
Center with
Mobility Center
with
Presentation
Settings
Presentation
Settings
Remote
Desktop
Host
Remote
Desktop Host
Offline Files
Offline Files

Safeguard Your
Safeguard
Work Your
Work

Security
Streamlined UAC
IE8 Malware and
Phishing Protection,
SmartScreen Filter
Windows Defender

Backup
Advanced Backup
Restore Previous File
Versions
Encrypting File System

Windows 7 Enterprise builds on Professional

Make End Users
Make
End Users
Productive
Productive
Anywhere
Anywhere

Improve
Improve
Security
and
Security
and
Control
Control

Streamline
Streamline
PC
PC
Management
Management

Direct Access
BranchCache
Federated
Search
Navigation
IE8 Web
Standards

BitLocker
BitLocker
BitLocker To
BitLocker
To
Go
Go
AppLocker
AppLocker
Security
Security
development
development
lifecycle
lifecycle
IE8 InPrivate
IE8
InPrivate
Filtering
Filtering

PowerShell
Windows
Troubleshooti
ng Platform
Deployment
Tools
VDI
Enhancements
IE8 Group
Policies

Fundamentals

Performance | Reliability | Compatibility

BranchCache can help organizations better

manage network bandwidth
Working in concert with Windows Server 2008 R2,
BranchCache will save network bandwidth and allow
users to be more productive
One user will download a network delivered file
(e.g. PowerPoint presentation)
Subsequent user access to these same files will be
pulled from the local cache (local server or client
machines), eliminating download times
Access rights to the file are controlled by Active
Directory and referenced throughout the process
Transparent to user

DirectAccess provides users transparent access to internal network

resources whenever they are connected to the Internet

Provides users transparent access to internal network

resources whenever they are connected to the Internet

Enables IT professionals to manage remote computers

outside of the office
Establishes a bi-directional connection that enables

the client computer to remain current with company

policies and to receive software updates

Does not require a VPN connection

Supports multifactor authentication methods

Configurable to restrict which servers, users, and

individual applications are accessible

BitLocker offers some very compelling

functionality

BitLocker drive encryption functionality in Windows 7 delivers an

improved experience for IT professionals and end users, including
The ability to right-click on a drive to enable BitLocker protection
Automatic creation of the required hidden boot partition
Improved key management
Windows 7 also introduces BitLocker To Go
Provides data protection for removable storage devices such as
USB flash drives
BitLocker To Go gives IT professionals better control over how
removable storage devices can be used
For example, IT Professionals can require data protection for
writing to any removable storage device while allowing
unprotected storage devices to be used in a read-only mode.

AppLocker provides organizations with a way to

better manage applications
AppLocker enforces application controls
A flexible, easy to administer mechanism that allows
IT professionals to specify what is allowed to run in
the desktop infrastructure
Gives users the ability to run applications,
installation programs and scripts that they require to
be productive
IT professionals can enforce application
standardization within their organization while
providing improved security, as well as operational
and compliance benefits

Problem Steps Recorder allows end users and help desk

resources to graphically display problems and resolutions
into an HTML file
Enables users to record their interactions with an application
and provide a detailed screen-by-screen view with
accompanying information
This same functionality can be used by the Help Desk to show a
user how to resolve a problem
This technology provides many benefits:
Reduces Help Desk time troubleshooting
Increases end user satisfaction
User productivity can be restored faster

Problem Steps Recorder.zip

Trigger Start services improves performance

instead of wasting resources
The service should be
running only if it has
something to do
Network-related service
without connectivity
USB-related service without
USB devices
File transfer service with
firewall port closed

Trigger-start services are

started when needed
Responsible for stopping
when idle or done

Security messages are more customizable to

reduce annoying permission requests
User Account Control (UAC) was introduced in
Windows Vista
In Windows 7, the number of operating system
applications and tasks that require elevation is
reduced
Standard users can do more than before and will see
fewer elevation prompts

15

User Access Control notification is now

customizable

16

Where to begin?

MIGRATION STEPS

17

Migration should follow standard project

management practices
Phase 1 Discovery
Review where you are and where youre going

Phase 2 Design
Build your image, application, and deployment processes

Phase 3 Test
Ensure application and hardware compatibility and validate
deployment procedures

Phase 4 Deploy
Look for automation options to keep costs down
Train your users and your support resources

Phase 5 Project closure

Optimize environment and document standard operating
procedures

The first step in planning is finding out where you

are and where youre going
Phase 1 Discovery
Inventory your hardware environment
Inventory your applications
Research where users keep their data
Review your images and image processes to
understand variables
Review Windows 7 features and decide on version
Research additional tools (SCCM, AIT, etc.)

19

When you design your migration, look beyond the

project to optimize steady state efficiency
Phase 2 Design
Define what hardware youll need to run Windows 7
Standardize business applications and versions
Define how data will be handled
Create Windows Images
Develop deployment processes to automate as much as
possible
Develop initial deployment schedule
Design any management tools youll be using
Decide on the level of training and most appropriate
medium

20

Finding a problem during testing vs. finding a

problem in production is infinitely less expensive
Phase 3 Test
Application compatibility
Hardware sufficiency
Deployment processes
Validate help desk knowledge
Network bandwidth
Develop alternate solutions as necessary
Training curriculum/medium effectiveness

21

Application Compatibility is greatly enhanced in

Windows 7
Windows makes every effort!
Thousands of applications have compatibility shims applied
by the system
Even more applications are thoroughly tested
Windows 7 (32-bit) can still run 16-bit MS-DOS programs
Almost 25 years later!
Most applications work just fine on new Windows versions
Some dont, so youll need to find these and come up with
solutions
Windows XP Mode eases migration significantly
Virtual instance of Microsoft Windows XP to allow XPdependent applications a safe place to run within
Windows 7

Automating deployment keeps costs down and reduces

human error factor

Phase 4 Deploy
Look to use automated tools
Build a SINGLE image with Operating System only
and layer applications on top
Standardize deployment processes and tools for
use beyond the project
Meaningful and timely communications to your
end users will improve project success
Dedicate your staff or outsource

To do the job right, you need the right tool

TOOLS AND RESOURCES

Many tools are available to automate

deployment-related tasks
Inventory & Assessment
Microsoft Assessment and Planning Toolkit (free)
Application Compatibility Toolkit (free)
System Center Configuration Manager and System Center
Essentials
Asset Inventory Service

Automated Installation Toolkit (AIK)

Windows System Image Manager
Deployment Image Servicing and Management
Windows Pre-installation Environment
User State Migration Tool
25

Additional resources are available to

help you with your migration
Microsoft Gold Certified Partners like Spherion
For Software Assurance holders, you may be eligible for
the Desktop Deployment Planning Service (DDPS)
Visit www.clicktoattend.com to find an event near you
Attend the Microsoft Windows 7 launch on October 22
right here in NYC
Microsoft TechNet is invaluable (www.technet.com)
Get your IT staff trained
Upgrade Advisor - http://
www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/get/upgrade-advi
sor.aspx

A quick recap on things we discussed

FINAL THOUGHTS

Final thoughts as you start on your path to

Windows 7
Windows 7 has many benefits review which ones make
sense for your organization and what it really takes
implement them
Do careful inventory and testing before jumping in
Build a deployment methodology that is reusable in steady
state
Use the tools and resources that make sense
Communicate to your end users and give them the right
level of training
Dedicate your staff to either the project or day-to-day
support not both

Questions

howardcohen@spherion.com
(212) 590-5966