Initiate Phase: Requirements, Objectives, Benefits

In the Plan-Initiate Phase we focused on validating the definition of the Win 7 Deployment Project. Also included under this phase was discussions on the Requirements, Objectives and Benefits of the project.

This blog will touch on a few of the Requirements, Objectives and Benefits.

Some of these Requirements, Objectives and Benefits are common under any standardised desktop environment deployment, regardless of what OS you use. However others are specific to the new Windows 7 OS.

Reduce costs of maintaining the desktop environment.

Increasing automation by removing manual tasks. This will reduce the labour component and refocus support staff time on more important functions.
Simplifying the build process and reduce the time required to rebuild a client computer.
Simplifying the process for introducing new hardware models into the organisation.
Reducing the level of expertise that is required to rebuild a client computer.
Modular build process such that applications and configuration changes can be easily snapped in and out of the build.
Ability to maintain applications on all SOE devices in the environment using a common tool.
Providing the ability to trace the changes that have been applied to the build.

Standardised desktop that uses the latest technologies.

Windows 7 is the most current Microsoft desktop operating system. Windows 7 provides greater functionality to users and greater administrative control than previous versions of the Windows operating system.

Provided centralised administration for the desktop deployment process.

All the components of the desktop deployment solution should be managed from a centralised location. This process includes the creation, upkeep, and distribution of the SOE images and applications.

User data protection during rebuilds.

The ability to capture user settings and data will be provided. This process will be performed during the migration to the new desktop environment and for ongoing rebuilds of the new environment.

Provide users with a standard look and feel.

The look and feel of the user interface should be standardized to simplify training and support requirements.

Improved life cycle of desktop hardware.

Ability for Windows 7 to run on older (existing) hardware models.

Provide a robust and secure desktop environment.

Incorporating user classifications.
Direct Access feature which securely connects mobile workers to corporate networks without a virtual provate network connection.

Improve the user experience with Windows 7. A couple of the new benefits include: