Here is a copy of a media release that we just sent out regarding some research we conducted during our recent Windows 7 Road Show across Australia.

BRISBANE, Australia—20 October 2009—

Data^#3 Limited [ASX: DTL], a national technology company today has released the results of a recent survey of 192 Australian CIOs and IT Managers regarding their plans to deploy Windows 7 in their organisations.

Key takeaways:

• CIOs and IT Managers have a clear understanding of the features and benefits of Windows 7;
• Uncertainty remains regarding deployment strategy, application support, and the resulting impact on end users; but that being said;
• Waiting for Service Pack 1 is a thing of the past

After deploying Windows 7 to its 470 strong workforce in September 2009, Data^#3 asked customers what was the one question they would like answered by Data^#3’s Windows 7 Deployment team.

According to the survey, the top five areas questioned by Australian CIOs and IT Managers regarding Windows 7 in the enterprise were: 

1. Deployment and migration
2. Application support
3. The impact on end users
4. The lessons learned from others
5. The business case to move from XP or Vista to Windows 7

 It is clear from the survey responses that Australian CIOs and IT Managers have a good grasp of the features and benefits of Windows 7.  There does however seem to be a lot of uncertainty when it comes to how to best deploy the software, whether corporate applications will be compatible, and how to reduce the impact on end users during the migration process.

Commenting on the results, Data^#3’s Microsoft Services Practice Manager Scott Gosling said, “One of the major deployment challenges posed by Windows Vista was application compatibility as some key corporate applications were incompatible on release.”

  “These challenges were widely reported and are still fresh in many CIO’s minds.  New approaches are available with the release of Windows 7 to address application compatibility challenges for corporate applications.  These include Windows XP Mode and MED-V (Microsoft Enterprise Desktop Virtualisation), which is a component of the Microsoft Desktop Optimisation Pack (MDOP) suite.  Microsoft has also released the Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.5 which includes comprehensive guidance for application compatibility.”

 “In short, these tools provided by Microsoft give organisations the ability to test application compatibility ahead of time, and provide a remediation mechanism should challenges exist.”

Respondents to the survey also wanted to draw on the experiences of others – suggesting that Australian organisations want to reduce risk, and “see some runs on the board” before pursuing their own deployment. 

 Gosling continues, “We completely understand the requirement for evidence and that is why we pushed ahead with our own deployment.” 

“It was important in our minds to deploy these technologies as we would for our customers.  We formed a team, managed the project with effective project management, developed a detailed communications plan, and used our lead technical expertise to deliver the solution.”

 “Why make a significant investment such as this?  Two reasons – firstly, our own business case showed us that the returns available more than justified the investment and secondly, we wanted to understand the risks and issues that our customers would face in their deployment of Windows 7.  We saw our own deployment as able to provide us with an unique perspective that would give our customers confidence and certainty.”

 “Rather than take a product demonstration on the road to our key customers, the sharing of our key lessons learned – our real world experience – resonated loudly with our customers.”

 CIOs and IT Managers no longer waiting for Service Pack 1

 According to data collected, the idea of waiting for Service Pack 1 seems to be a thing of the past.  67% of Enterprise customers (1000+ seats) and 83% of Mid-Market customers (100-1000 seats) stated that they are considering deployment of Windows 7 within the next 12 months.

Gosling continues, “It is evident that there exists a real conviction to change the experience provided to end users.  The stability of the Beta & Release Candidate builds of Windows 7 also gave comfort that Windows 7 was on the right path for enterprise deployment.  They were remarkably stable, and were considered by many analysts to be production ready in their own right.  Data^#3’s successful Windows 7 deployment validated this premise.”

 Why make the move to Windows 7?

 The final stumbling block for some CIOs and IT Managers to move to Windows 7 seems to be the business case.  As one respondent put simply – “Why do I need to move from Windows XP?” 

 Gosling continues, “Windows XP is now an eight year old operating system, developed when dialup internet access was still the norm, and 1GB of RAM was just a dream for many.  Windows 7 is built to be more secure in today’s “always online” environment, and ships in both 32-bit and 64-bit editions so that the large amounts of memory being supplied in today’s hardware can be fully exploited.” 

 “Windows 7 is faster to start-up and shutdown than its predecessors and can reduce power consumption.  This will save Data^#3 thousands of dollars in electricity alone.  We have also users experience up to 25% longer battery life on their laptops.  An extra hour of productivity on the same hardware versus that experienced using Windows XP or Vista.  These desktop benefits, combined with the management advantages that Data^#3 gained from the deployment of System Centre Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 will unlock further savings in the ongoing management of our Windows 7 deployment.”

 “Ultimately, Windows 7 is the sum of these, and many other small improvements that make a big difference in the day to day world of the modern Information Worker.”

 For more information about Data^#3’s own Windows 7 Deployment, visit www.win7deployment.com.

About the Survey

In September 2009, Data^#3 asked 264 Australian CIOs and IT Managers what single question they would like answered based on Data^#3’s experience with its own internal Windows 7 production deployment.

The 192 free form responses received represent the issues that are top of mind in this group of CIOs and IT Managers with regard to deploying Windows 7 in their enterprise.  Those responses were grouped into 12 broad categories, and then ranked by the number of responses in each category.

Customer considerations for the deployment of Windows 7 raised during the survey were categorised as:

1. Deployment and Migration – 22%
2. Application Support – 17%
3. Challenges faced by others – 13%
4. The impact on users – 12%
5. Business Case for Windows 7 – 9%
6. Hardware Support – 9%
7. The benefits of Windows 7 – 7%
8. Management post deployment – 4%
9. Security – 3%
10. Service Pack 1 – 3%
11. 64-Bit – 1%
12. Other – 1%

Additional to this data, information captured at six events across Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide was used to understand deployment consideration timeframes for Enterprise and Mid-Market customers.

Where to begin….

State Assessment (including Core Infrastructure Optimisation Assessment)

The upgrade to a new desktop operating system is a complex activity to undertake.  It is also a high-profile activity, touching every user’s computer in your environment.  A desktop refresh will either make or break the reputation of IT within your organisation.

To mitigate risk and prepare your organisation for the upgrade to Windows 7, Data#3 have developed a service that can capture your current readiness to upgrade, and provide a series of recommendations to prepare.  And when you engage Data#3 to assist you with your upgrade, the investment in this service can be offset against the upgrade costs!

Application Services

Application Remediation Service

Treatment of applications is one of the most critical elements that must be planned in advance of any desktop upgrade.  Windows 7 introduces similar application compatibility requirements to those of Windows Vista.  For clients who have remained on Windows XP, this work must be done either prior to upgrade or as a parallel project to the Windows 7 design.

Desktop Management

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 Plan, Design and Deploy Service

Data#3 has used System Center Configuration Manager for our internal Windows 7 deployment, and we commend the product to our customers.  If you are considering deploying Windows 7 and do not have SCCM deployed, this service will get the product planned, designed and deployed.  In addition to deployment capability, System Center Configuration Manager 2007 also provides a comprehensive solution for addressing an organisation’s change and configuration needs

Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 SP2 Design and Deploy Service

For clients who intend to deploy Windows 7 throughout their environment, work is required on any existing System Centre Configuration Manager deployment so it is capable of supporting the rollout.  That Data#3 SCCM 2007 SP2 Design and Deploy Service will review the existing SCCM deployment to ensure it is operational and has the full client inventory required to meet deployment requirements.  once the review is complete, Service Pack 2 will be deployed so that the requirements for deployment are met.

In addition to providing the latest fixes for Microsoft System Centre Configuration Manager 2007 and full support for Windows 7 clients, Service Pack 2 (SP2) adds support for the deployment of Windows 7 as well as the inventory and application deployment requirements that are required in any electronic desktop deployment

Platform Services

Desktop Optimisation Platform Services – Managed Operating Environment

This offering encompasses both Desktop SOE and Server SOE Plan, Design and Deploy activities.  Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2 operating systems are accommodated in this offering.

A comprehensive Standard Operating Environment (SOE) design is critical to achieve efficiencies and deliver an environment that can respond to changing business conditions.  Data#3 has an extensive track record of success in delivery of well designed Server & Desktop SOE environments that are agile and are adaptive to changing business requirements.

“In anticipation of Windows 7 being released into the wild on Oct. 22, here is an up-to-date pictorial guide to the most compelling navigation and networking features of the OS.”

http://www.cio.com/article/495831/Windows_in_Pictures_Cool_Desktop_Features_