14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft aims to deliver not only the technology but also deployment methodology and it is hard at work with industry experts, system integrators, deployment/management software providers, aiming to construct a guidance system that would comprise the best industry practices. Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System will be the forthcoming Microsoft technologies to benefit from an advanced guidance via the improved Business Desktop Deployment (BDD 2007) methodology for desktop deployment. "You can look at all the new capabilities around file-based imaging, component based architectures, hardware independence, etc. We also hear from industry analysts that most of the migration challenges customers face is around building teams, schedules, project plans, business cases as well as process and methodology. Technology, in itself, plays a smaller role than we would think in successful deployments," said Manu Namboodiri, senior product manager for Windows Vista deployment technologies.
Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007 Beta 2 delivers a standard set of deployment guidelines for Vista and Office 2007 designed to restrict the cost variations for desktop deployments with a focus on methodology and not on technology.
BDD is designed to: ￭ Create deployment and planning teams staffed with the right skill sets ￭ Create a software and hardware inventory for deployment planning ￭ Test applications for compatibility with Windows Vista and mitigate the compatibility issues discovered during the process. ￭ Think through and implement the new volume activation process of Windows Vista ￭ Develop a migration strategy and solutions for user, application and data ￭ Develop a strategy to create the fewer number of flexible images ￭ Set up an initial lab and test environment with deployment and imaging servers ￭ Decide on a strategy for customizing and packaging core and supplemental applications ￭ Automate processed for desktop image creation and deployment - including updates ￭ Help harden the desktop to improve security within the environment ￭ Develop options for remote, lite or zero touch deployments - including branch offices and mobile users ￭ Have a successful, efficient Windows Vista and 2007 Office deployment!
Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007 Beta 2 is a free solution designed for Windows Vista RC1 but the product will be updated within a few weeks of Vista RTM. Microsoft has integrated all its Windows Vista and Office deployment tools into the download.