3 Off the Ground 4. 3. Refresh or Re-Use?


Once you’ve completed an assessment of your hardware and software inventory, your options will be much more clear. You may decide to replace all existing hardware with new, ready-to-go Windows 7-compatible systems, upgrade your existing hardware infrastructure, or even look at a virtual solution.


For those who choose to upgrade from a previous OS, there are plenty of options when it comes to backing up data, applications, and settings. Microsoft includes Easy Transfer, which can transfer your files to a remote hard drive or office network. If you have a high number of backups to conduct, Microsoft Deployment Toolkit is useful for planning migration strategies that ease the burden on IT staff.


Don’t Overlook Opportunities for Improvement


A large-scale migration requires a great deal of planning, but it also creates many opportunities to improve your organization’s existing infrastructure. If you’ve been eyeing Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) but haven’t found an opportunity to implement it, now might be the perfect time. Completing an assessment will help you determine if desktop virtualization can reduce the overall cost of your IT services or if it’s the right choice to boost employee productivity. Because moving to VDI eliminates the need for costly system upgrades like RAM, you’ll save a great deal on PC refreshes— but keep in mind, you’ll also have to make sure you have the servers in place to handle the increased workload. In addition to simplifying the move to Windows 7, VDI also provides a number of secondary benefits, such as increased security, reduced data loss, and centralized management.


5. Collaboration Is Key


Once you’ve completed an assessment, the planning stages of an OS migration fall into place relatively quickly. Partnering with an IT provider that understands what you’re trying to accomplish is the next step in putting together a successful plan. With a solid foundation and a partner that can bring guidance and expertise to a collaborative effort, a migration to Windows 7 is sure to help you cut costs, boost productivity, and simplify manageability.


To learn more about Windows 7, check out page 73. Turn the page to discover a collection of assessments designed to streamline your Windows 7 project, and then call your Account Manager to get started planning the perfect migration.


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