Simplify, Streamline And Automate By Migrating To Windows 8.1

SIMPLIFY, STREAMLINE AND AUTOMATE BY MIGRATING TO WINDOWS 8.1 TICK-TOCK .. TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO-DO LIST MARCH APRIL Microsoft 09 Daylight Savings Time begins in U.S. and Canada. 8 Windows XP support ends. Quarterly Deadline for 13 earnings conference call. 15 individual tax returns. Deadline for 17 corporate tax returns. First day 20 of spring. 24 DON'T JUST MIGRATE FROM WINDOWS XP, ACCELERATE TOWARD WINDOWS 8.1 MIGRATION IS OS DEPLOYMENT AND MUCH MORE Your IT department needs to: Analyze application inventory readiness Migrate user states Distribute software and patches Virtualize applications Perform ongoing asset management 5 STAGES OF EFFECTIVE MIGRATION STAGE 1 APPLICATION PREPARATION Take an inventory of applications and test them for Windows 8.1 compatibility. Then package them for automated distribution and management. STAGE 2 ENGINEER IMAGES STAGE 3 DESIGN DEPLOYMENT Begin the automated loading of the OS image, applications, user data and settings. Build images for low- or zero-touch deployment automation, including the base OS, core applications and security settings. This will ensure a smooth migration for users in the office and at home. STAGE 4 STAGE 5 PLAN IMPLEMENTATION DEPLOY OS Create a comprehensive plan for implementing the migration, including conducting site and user eys, scheduling the deployment for each site and configuring project management tools. Launch time! Migrate systems, replace PCs and peripherals as planned, conduct any needed user training and manage version changes moving forward. ...... . WHY WINDOWS 8.1? Windows 8.1 is a bold innovation, melding the worlds of tablets and PCs. Its excellent touch input, an app store, and better performance are compelling. ) - PC Magazine Faster startup Improved performance Excellent touch input New set of full-screen, touch-friendly Web-connected apps More support for virtual private network (VPN) connections automatically Enhanced access to files More affordable The most secure and apps via SkyDrive, than previous releases version of Windows Microsoft's cloud service to date (-) Transforms PC or tablet Saves time. Wi-Fi Direct into a Wi-Fi hotspot printers facilitate peer-to-peer through broadband tethering networks without new drivers or software CORPORATE APPEAL Smooth transitions: Windows 8.1 makes it easy for companies to mark Personal choice, corporate access: Workplace Join allows users to work on their favorite devices and still access which content on a user's device is theirs and then wipe the data – without touching any personal content – when the business relationship ends. corporate resources. (•)) Sharing screens: Miracast allows users to share devices. Laptop Improved contact: Near-field communication makes printing and other inter-computer communication much easier. screens, for instance, can connect with conference-room projectors via Wi-Fi Direct. Once the OS migration is complete, users can take advantage of enhancements in processor performance, power efficiency, data protection and systems management. Credit: Santosh Kushwaha for Tech Page One, 2014