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In this context deployment is the delivery process for new equipment or infrastructure. Upgrades are changes to existing equipment or configurations, and migrations are the process of moving data and configurations between devices or infrastructure. Frequently deployment, upgrades, and migrations will all occur at the same time, or at least as part of the same project.
Methodoligies
There is a contradiction associated with workstation upgrades; they are harder to do in a simple environment. In a simpler situation, users either install their own software or have a network administrator do it for them. They all have passwords of varying standards. They are all administrators on their machines. They share information by whatever medium is available, such as shared network drives, email, IM, etc.
However, in a more complex and tightly controlled group or company there are policies and standards. Workstations share the same configurations. Software is installed in a formalized process. Users may not have administrator privileges on the machine. Shared data is housed centrally, and local data is kept in predetermined locations (well, most of it). Although developing a process for upgrades can be complicated, as the environment is standardized, the one thousandth machine will be a same as the first, capturing very significant savings via economies of scale, and simplifying the process on a per machine basis.
In the first scenario, each workstation to be upgraded is its very own project. It is very unlikely it will be performed all in one go, requiring multiple visits by skilled support personnel. Data will be misplaced, and the learning curve for the user will be greater; there will be no common experience to share between colleagues.
Deployment of new machines and software can also be a painful process. Without proper preparation and planning it is possible for severe business disruption to occur. Gartner recently estimated an upgrade of the computer operating system cost a company the loss of three man-days for each machine. C3SC has extensive experience deploying and upgrading enterprises of several thousand machines.
For infrastructure devices, like servers and network configurations, a single mistake can impact an entire company. To make changes of corporate-wide networks and configurations, it is vital that the entire environment is considered. Without examining the interaction of discrete elements, an error or oversight is almost inevitable.
Without considering third party tools, there are three basic options provided by Microsoft:
Deciding which option is right for your specific needs, without knowing and fully understanding the principles and process in each case, will result in needless expense. C3SC has in-depth experience of all three systems and we can give you guidance, planning, and resources appropriate to your needs.
Call us now for an initial consultation to learn more about the process and how it can work for you.
Automation
To upgrade or deploy more than 10 machines, it is important to utilize automated processes. The two main benefits are reduced man-power requirements and consistency of the end-state environment. Unfortunately, despite the claims of many vendors, there is no complete “out of the box” solution. A successful project will be the integration of best of bread components into a unified methodology. C3SC has exactly this experience. In addition to knowledge of the latest technologies, we have the proven ability to customize and apply these technologies efficiently to a range of situations,
Consider how you:
- scale a process to work with isolated clients and still be efficient for large, connected, user groups?
- capture user configurations and re-apply them to new environments?
- transfer complete computer operating systems over a network for multiple concurrent upgrades?
- assess your environment and user?
- provide roll-back contingency planning?
- provide summary reporting and analysis?
- deal with the technical issues of new equipment and new software?
- keep the data secure during transfer, both from physical loss and unauthorized access?
- provide for user related issues?
- minimize the disruption to business continuity?
- include applications for individual, per user, requirements?
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