Migration Expert Zone Blog
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This Has to Be Some Kind of Record
Here's a great story about a company that figured out how to cut its costs dramatically, and get the entire migration done in 22 days.
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Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference - Get Started Now
Why prepare for an event you probably won't even attend? Because June is an extraordinary time to get your Microsoft Partner in for some conversation.
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It May Be a 'Dry' Heat – But These Savings are Hot
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office saved time and money by upgrading its infrastrcuture with Dell. Here's how it did it.
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Are Dead Apps Haunting Your Servers?
How many companies leave unused applications sitting on their servers? According to a study by one firm, quite a few.
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A Comprehensive Windows 7 Migration Resource
The good folks at Dell Software have provided a 16-page white paper on Windows 7 migrations that focuses more on methodology than toolsets.
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Come to Your AppSenses
As many as 45 percent of organizations are still running Windows XP, which means they are face some unpleasant realities if they don't migrate to Windows 7 or Windows 8 soon.
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The Windows Decision - Application Compatibility
How do we best determine which version of Windows best supports the applications in use in our own environment?
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Another Countdown: Microsoft Exchange 2003
Did you know that mainstream support for Microsoft Exchange 2003 will be withdrawn two months after support for Windows XP ends, in June 2014?
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From the Forest to the Trees: Active Directory Migration
There are desktop migrations, server migrations and then there are Active Directory migrations, which cause even the most experienced IT professional to take a deep breath.
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The XP Countdown in Perspective
Organizations that haven't yet implemented a migration to Windows 7 or Windows 8 are 'stuck between a rock and a hard place.'
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Healthcare Migrations Require Extra Care
Many healthcare organizations don't put importance on staying technically current. They worry more about remaining medically current, which is understandable.
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Sometimes the Hardest Thing to Migrate is the User
People hate change, and that's why you should take reports about Windows 8 usability with a grain of salt until you and your users see for yourselves.
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The Countdown Continues: A Timeline
A new resource from Gartner provides a great foundation for necessary discussions businesses need to have around migrating away from Windows XP as the end of support nears.
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What's New in Public Sector Migrations?
Public sector organizations are increasingly choosing Microsoft Office 365 for cloud-based communications and collaboration to maximize information technology investments in the face of extreme budget challenges.
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Smoothing the Form Factor Migration
Media coverage discussing the death of the PC misses an importantpoint: users don’t really care if their next device looks and feels like their current device.
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Even if it 'Ain't Broke...'
If you ascribe to Moore's Law that the capacity of a technology doubles every two years or so, technology has advanced by a factor to the sixth power since the introduction of Windows XP.
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The Windows XP Support Countdown Begins
It's been 12 months since we started the 'Windows XP Deathwatch,' which means that the countdown to the end of support for Windows XP is in its final year.
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Migrating from Hyper-V to Hyper-V
Take advantage of the extensive set of new functionalities available in the new version of Hyper-V in Windows Server 2012 requires that you perform a completely new installation and migrate everything to it. Here's how you do it.
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20 Fast Facts About Windows Server 2012
There are many considerations involving the new functionality and integration opportunities available with Windows Server 2012. But if you're into instant gratification, here are 20 fast facts about the latest server OS from Microsoft.
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New Tools for CRM Migration
AvePoint, vendor well known in SharePoint circles, announces the release of its Microsoft Dynamics CRM product line, 'designed to increase productivity and reduce business impact on the migration and adoption processes to Dynamics CRM.'
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Guidance for Those Still Running Lotus Notes
Platforms like Lotus Notes and Domino may have served well during their time, but new technologies and techniques are available that their users may be missing out on, and much to their own detriment.
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Moving the Mail
Most companies migrating to cloud-based productivity suites have and will want to move existing email, contacts and calendars from their old platform to the new one.
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Beginning With the End in Mind
Technology professionals need retrain themselves, improve their ability to think like businesspeople and seek to find ways not only to solve technical problems, but to make a significant contribution to the financial success and growth of their organization.
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Global IT Provider Leverages Capacity Increases to Improve Scalability, Speed Deployments and Reduce Costs
A new case study can help data center managers who have decisions to make regarding where and how to upgrade to new versions of the many platform products that were released in the past year.
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Building Resilience with Storage Live Migration in Hyper-V
We're living in a world that doesn't tolerate downtime. Storage Live Migration in Hyper-V allows you to move virtual machine storage without stopping the virtual machine.
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Reflections From Convergence 2013
The annual Microsoft Convergence Conference, which focuses on the Microsoft Dynamics family of products, is underway in New Orleans.
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SharePoint 2013 Arrives: Quest Ready to Help You Migrate
We recommend some SharePoint 2013 resources from Chris McNulty, Chief Technology Officer for the SharePoint Unit at Dell Quest Software.
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Dell Developing Data Center Dominance
With each new acquisition announcement, Dell's plans for the data center becomes increasingly clear.
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KACE Appliance Allows Alaska Architects to Automate Migration
Like the idea of saving 65 percent on inventory management costs and 50 percent on IT labor costs? Then see how Dell KACE helped this firm reach those numbers.
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'If It Runs on Windows 7, It Runs on Windows 8'
Hear some thoughts on Windows Client and Windows Server migrations and more from a Microsoft Sr. IT Evangelist.
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System Center: Because There's No Silver Bullet
We continue our conversation with Microsoft Senior IT Pro Evangelist Bob Hunt.
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Microsoft Sr. IT Pro Bob Hunt Says 'Get it From the Source'
Bob Hunt stopped by the Zone to talk about migration, the Microsoft Cloud OS and what he sees happening amongst the customers he works with regularly.
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From the IT Pros for the IT Pros
The Migration & Deployment Blog Series gives the IT Pro Evangelist community at Microsoft the opportunity to share with their peers what they feel are the important topics.
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Don't Miss ZeroIMPACT Migration Day on March 7
Here is an excellent opportunity for you to speak live with industry migration experts, watch best-practice webcasts, interact with partners and win prizes without ever leaving your office.
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Premier University Cuts Time and Costs in Half
If there's any large community that is constantly migrating, upgrading and otherwise transforming its IT infrastructure, it's a major university.
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Which UC Network Will You Migrate To?
The convergence of Windows Live! Messenger, Skype and Lync will impact those migrating to Lync and Exchange platforms, so stay tuned.
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Directions on Active Directory Domain Services
Discover excellent information and links to resources regarding ADDS in Windows Server 2012.
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New Microsoft Migration and Deployment Blog
Microsoft IT Pro Evangelist Bob Hunt just unveiled a new blog in the IT Pro Exchange section of TechNet dealing with migration and deployment.
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Application-Aware Migration Reduces Risk
Have you found yourself concerned, perhaps even panic-stricken, that some applications may not run properly in the new environment following a migration.
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Migrating Applications to the Cloud
A new paper puts various approaches to application migration into context and highlights the new challenges and opportunities available from virtualization and cloud technologies.
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Protecting Public Cloud Data
If you’re considering a migration to cloud services like Microsoft Office 365 and concerns about data leakage are holding you back, consider encrypting the data at rest.
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Heightened Management Efficiency, Fewer Tools
Fewer tools mean less complexity and reduced chance of interprocess error. That, in turn, turns into less finger-pointing when things go wrong.
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Quest Migration Manager 8.9 for Exchange
The Migration Manager 8.9 for Exchange from Quest allows administrators to migrate user mailboxes, public folders and other Exchange data from one Exchange organization to another transparently to end users.
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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Exchange
Didn't you wish that somebody would just put all the information you need to guide you through a major migration in one place?
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IT Firm Cuts Costs by 50% with 'Simple Upgrade'
Discover some simple but very important opportunities that many companies can take advantage of if they're aware of them.
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Ensuring Exchange 2013 Migration Success
Learn the 10 steps to ensure a successful migration to Microsoft Exchange.
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Finding the Y in BYOD
Those who have been wondering why they should consider migrating to a BYOD user environment may find answers in a recent Dell Quest survey.
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Top 3 Reasons to Migrate to Windows 8 Pro
Dell has just released its list of 'The top three reasons to migrate to Windows 8 Pro'
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Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 6 Measured Service
The fifth of the five essential characteristics of a cloud, as defined by NIST, is measured service.
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Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 5 Rapid Elasticity
Continuing our look at the characteristics of a private cloud with rapid elasticity.
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Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 4 Resource Pooling
Get a closer look at resource pooling, which increases resource utilization, slowing the need for new capital equipment investments.
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Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 3 Broad Network Access
What exactly does the NIST definition of cloud computing mean when it refers to 'Broad Network Access?'
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Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 2 OnDemand SelfService
Continuing our look at how Microsoft designed Windows Server 2012 to deliver private cloud solutions.
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Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 1
With a tremendous volume of noise being generated around the concept of 'cloud computing' you may not be certain exactly what a private cloud is. You're not alone.
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Cross Platform Compatibility Continues
If you have been putting off your upgrade or implementation of Microsoft System Center 2012, your time has come.
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The Book We've All Been Waiting For
Microsoft has joined together with the foremost provider of migration solutions, Quest (now a part of Dell), to produce the definitive guide to migrating to Office 365.
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Celebrating a Durable Partner
Disaster recovery story is never really about hardware. But here's the story of a Dell PowerEdge server that survived everything Hurricane Sandy could throw at it.
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What Dell and Microsoft Can Do For You
A lot of attention has been devoted to client operating systems, but Windows Server 2003 currently runs over 80 percent of all Windows servers in operation.
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Dell Blog Improves Windows Server 2012 Migrations
The Dell TechCenter Blog provides excellent guidance for those choosing to use Dell servers to deploy Microsoft Windows Server 2012.
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Dell Acquires Credant Technologies
IT professionals who are busily planning to enable migration of their users to a 'BYOD' endpoint computing environment will be most encouraged by the latest Dell acquisition.
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Best Practices Emerging for Migration to Windows Server 2012
Getting ready for 2013, Microsoft's Server & Cloud Blog launched what will become a series of posts on best practices for Migrating to Microsofts Windows Server 2012.
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Virtual Alchemy
Now we can turn VMware Virtual Machines into Hyper-V Virtual Machines and VMware Virtual Disks into Hyper-V Virtual Hard Disks using a free, simple, standalone tool
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2012: The Year in Migration
Information technology grows and changes constantly and its our job to keep up with it and make sure our organizations take fullest advantage of all it has to offer. 2012 was no exception.
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Migrating Forward to 2013
With many new products being introduced in just the last few months of 2012, we can expect to see tremendous activity at the start of 2013 to implement much of it.
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Top 10 Rules for Streamlining Windows 7 and Windows 8 Migrations
Drawing upon the extensive experience of the people at Dell and Quest, here are the Top Ten Rules for a Streamlined Windows Migrations to either Windows 7 or Windows 8.
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Impact of Windows 8 on BYOD Initiatives
Windows 8 was designed to offer 'a closer union of mobile devices and traditional client desktops,' suggesting it will become the operating system of choice in BYOD environments.
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Windows RT Tablets Are the BYOD 'Missing Link'
A new whitepaper not only provides deeper insight into the capabilities of Windows RT, but it dispels many of the inaccurate rumors about it.
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BYOD? Have It Your Way
One of the biggest challenges in BYOD is how to manage data on the client's device. Some data will be company owned; some will be personal data -- and never the two shall meet.
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Migrating Data Completely
In most of the discussions we have about migration we discuss migrating operating systems, applications and virtual machines, but seldom do we talk about the challenges and solutions surrounding large migrations of data.
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Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 8.0 Beta
With all the new introductions including Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012, Windows 8 and more it really is no surprise to see upgrades to the MAP toolkit coming out so quickly.
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Migrating to a More Effective Data Protection Strategy
The greatest danger to data integrity is complacency. Only when the server drive crashes do we realize, remember or find out that nobody has been changing the backup media and the current media won't restore.
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BYOD Another Good Reason to Use VDI for Client Migration
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Merry Migration Day and a Happy New Year
We've got an opportunity for you to speak live with migration experts, watch best practices webcasts, visit with partners and win prizes -- without leaving the office.
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Retailer Saves $1.8 Million
British retailer Paul Smith saved $1.8 million in the first year after expanding its virtualized environment and migrating to a private cloud strategy with Windows Server 2012.
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Tis the Season for Personal Device Migration
Many information workers spent some of the Thanksgiving weekend shopping, and very likely many of them shopped for a new computer. Well, maybe not exactly a computer.
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Thankful for Migrations That Bring Innovation
Most every major thing we do in any IT shop involves some kind of migration. And migrations represent innovation, the great responsibility, the great driver and the great mission of everyone working in IT.
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Application Compatibility in Windows 7 Migrations
A new paper from Dell and Quest focuses on ensuring application compatibility during upgrades of desktop operating systems.
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What You Need to Know About Windows 8
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Windows Server 2012 Essentials Available Now
Good news for companies having up to 75 employees: Microsoft has just announced the general availability of Windows Server 2012 Essentials.
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Surface Surfaces
If you're trying to figure out if Microsoft Surface is a tablet or a PC, you're missing the point. And now that it's available, you can try one and categorize it for yourself.
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Oh Where, Oh Where Shall I Migrate My IM Users?
Skype users can now connect with their Live! Messenger contacts. And users of Windows Live! Messenger, for the first time, have the ability to call landlines and mobiles, share screens, and conduct videocalls with mobile devices, Facebook friends, and in groups!
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Mastering Active Directory Migrations
Perhaps no migration strikes fear in the hearts of even the most experienced IT professionals as the prospect of migrating Active Directory trees and forests.
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Lessons from the Migration Storm Zone
For many people in the Northeast U.S. affected by Hurricane Sandy, their data and even their applications are locked up on desktop computers that cannot be switched on. Others lost battery power and their data is locked on their mobile device.
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Microsoft Assessment and Planning (MAP) Toolkit 7.0 Released
The MAP Toolkit is an agentless inventory, assessment, and reporting tool that can securely assess IT environments for various platform migrations
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Private Cloud is NOT an Oxymoron
A private cloud may run on shared or dedicated servers operated by a service provider, on company owned and managed servers in a co-location center, or on premises within a companys own data center.
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There's the Cost, Then There's the Upfront Cost, but...
Those with extensive investments in VMware don't have to toss those investments away because System Center Virtual Machine Manager will integrate them into one working unit.
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So You Can't Wait to Migrate to Windows 8
Some of the tool builders who have made it significantly easier to migrate to Windows 7 are not wasting any time doing the same for the startling new touch-enabled, tile-based, new generation OS that is Windows 8.
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Follow the Expert to Learn Windows Server 2012
Follow a Microsoft Premier Field Engineer as he learns virtual machine Live Migration and Storage Migration for Windows Server 2012.
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Are You Ready?
Avoid surprises by performing a careful assessment of your environments readiness for your Windows 7 migration.
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Virtualizing Windows 8
Even before Windows 8 ships to customers in shrinkwrapped packages Quest Software, recently acquired by Dell, has announced that its industry-leading Quest Workspace Desktop Virtualization 7.6 already enables corporations to ready their virtual desktop environments for Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012.
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Proactive Windows 7 Migration
When you find yourself confronted with the prospect of migrating several or hundreds or even thousands of users to a new OS version you're going to feel the weight of every incompatible application, driver or setting.
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Discover ZeroIMPACT Migration
In a more powerful compute environment like the ones we're living in today, migrations to new platforms have to be made in the context of other existing systems that will not be changing.
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As the Time Grows Short, You Have to Cut the Time!
The folks at Quest, recently acquired by Dell, have come up with a sound strategy to cut Windows 7 migration time down by as much as six months.
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The New Way of Workspace
Now that Quest Software is part of the Dell family, let's explore resources from Quest that can help IT managers tackle Windows migration challenges.
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California County Cloud Migration Cuts Costs in Half
California's San Bernardino County migrated first to a virtualized environment to reduce costs and then to a private cloud to increase service levels and provide real agility to users.
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The New Era of Work
The Microsoft 2012 Launch Event Series entitled 'The New Era of Work' is, according to the company, 'The biggest wave of innovation in Microsoft history.'
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Mainstream Support for Windows Server 2008 Extended
Mainstream support for Windows Server 2008 was supposed to end in July 2013, but now that has been changed to Jan. 15, 2015.
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CloudBundling: The Safe Approach to Successful Migration
One source of relief from the challenge of making sound cloud choices has been integrators who have carefully 'bundled' the solutions they have found work best together.
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Microsoft Exchange Conference: It's baa-aaack
After a decade on the sidelines, MEC 2012 just wrapped up in Orlando and messaging specialists have once again responded with enthusiasm.
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Migration to Virtualization Saves $9.4 Million to Start
For one Turkish hosting provider, the money saved by migrating to Windows Server 2012 was only the beginning.
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Featured Resources
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Enterprise Tablets as Notebook Replacements: Limited but Growing
The spectrum of available tablet form factors and functionality is growing and offering more options to users, but each still has some trade-offs, compared with a full-feature notebook. There will always be some percentage of users willing to accept tablet compromises in order to avoid carrying a full-size notebook. However, in most cases, these devices are used as notebook companions rather than full notebook replacements. Windows 8 tablets certainly come closer to providing full notebook functionality than iPads and other media tablets, but there are still trade-offs with the Windows 8 tablets. This Gartner report explains the scalability and manageability of Windows 8 devices as notebook replacements.
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20 Fast Facts About Windows Server 2012
Learn 20 quick facts that will demonstrate why Windows Server 2012 is the right platform for organizations making this important shift.
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Windows 8 and BYOD, Embrace the Trend
Windows 8 delivers the tools you need to meet your workers' changing IT needs in a reliable, productive and secure way. It responds equally well to touch as it does to a keyboard and mouse. Read this paper to learn more about how Windows 8 addresses today's workforce needs for mobility, security, virtualization and management. Enhanced security Easier management Ubiquitous data access Reduced WAN traffic Application unification across the Windows 8 ecosystem
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Windows Server 2012: Security in the Enterprise
Read more about how Windows Server 2012 helps mitigate those risks while streamlining compliance.
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What's New in Windows Server 2012: Moving Beyond the Data Center
Anywhere, anytime access has become a requirement as users and partners have moved off premises, and customers demand access to the IT infrastructure. IT is increasingly tapping virtualization and the cloud as a way to keep up with current market and end-user demands. These changes have required IT to rethink its approach to computing, moving from a domain-centric environment to one that has its roots in the cloud. With the right planning, hardware and software such as Windows Server 2012, IT can quickly respond to changing business needs and requirements in a cost-effective manner.
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Six Myths of Windows RT Revealed!
Misinformation has circulated around Windows RT, the new Microsoft OS for tablets that powers a range of new Dell devices. This white paper confronts the top myths and helps to clarify the true capabilities of Windows RT related to: Manageability Security Enterprise readiness Line of business applications "Bring your own device" compatibility Robustness as an OS
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Mastering Active Directory Migrations
An Active Directory migration can be complex and difficult. The goal for most organizations is to provide seamless access to data and services for all users during and after the migration and minimize the impact of the migration on the production environment.
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IT Environment for Today and Tomorrow: What You Need to Know About Windows 8
Windows 8 is ready to give your business the tools you need to meet your workers' changing IT needs in a way that's reliable, productive and secure. Designed to respond equally well to touch as it does to a keyboard and mouse, read this paper to learn more about how Windows 8 addresses today's workforce needs by enhancing mobile productivity, end-to-end security, and addresses virtualization and management advancements.
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Managing Windows Server Operation and Migration
As one of the world's leading suppliers of IT services and consulting, Dell delivers a compelling solution to assist you in Windows Server 2008 R2 operations and migration. Download this paper to learn more.
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The State of Windows Migration in Banking & Financial Services: Careful Planning Ensures a Smooth Transition
Windows 7 is a compelling choice for banking and financial services firms racing against the deadline to upgrade before Microsoft ends its support for Windows XP. Even without Microsoft's plans to end support for all versions of Windows XP in 2014, the Windows 7 feature set is strong enough to drive banks and other financial institutions to upgrade when considering the sophisticated automation, greater stability, lower support costs and improved client interface. Read this whitepaper to learn more about how to overcome challenges regarding operational disruptions and application compatibility while learning more about licensing and the planning tips for a successful deployment.
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Server Virtualization: Expert Overview of Cost, Trends and More
Successful virtualization initiatives require IT pros to have a comprehensive understanding of both the software and hardware costs involved, as well as the disaster recovery efforts required. This expert E-Guide, brought to you by SearchServerVirtualization.com and Dell, provides an overview of the expenses associated with virtualization and highlights the virtual server trends expected for 2010. Gain insight into the tangible virtualization costs, and learn how to keep pace with the changing server virtualization market. Explore the pivotal role of virtual hardware platforms in your business
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Dell End User Computing - Evolving to Better Meet Customer Needs
With advances in mobility and rising trends such as social media, end users are forming higher expectations of their workplace technology. IT staffs are tasked with maintaining high end user productivity while also protecting their organizations from the increased exposure. Computing as we know it is undergoing a huge transformation, making the status quo no longer sustainable. Read this paper to learn how Dell addresses end user and why it is no longer just about the device or technology. Learn also what best practices CIOs should adopt and what they need to do to respond to the changing trends within end user computing.
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Dell PC Optimized Deployment Model
The costs associated with deploying PCs can significantly add to the total cost of owning and using them. Research shows that the average deployment cost is $615 per PC, and costs exceeding $700 are not uncommon, yet by adopting a higher level of maturity, organizations can reduce IT costs by up to 55%. This translates to savings of up to $337 per PC. To help companies efficiently deploy PCs, Dell has developed a series of offerings that optimize the PC deployment process. Read this research paper to learn more about the Dell Optimized Deployment Service Framework can positively impact your next round of PC upgrades.
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Desktops for the Future
With IT departments finding more room in their budgets to tackle much-needed projects, desktop operating system refresh is moving to the top of the list. After all, OS upgrades enable organizations to rethink and restructure their entire desktop infrastructure into more efficient and productive environments. With the expiration of Microsoft support for Windows XP looming, upgrading to Windows 7 presents an opportunity to create a streamlined environment primed for virtualization, cloud computing and other next-generation technologies.
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Windows 7 Migration: An Industry View of Application Compatibility
In the two years that Windows 7 has been available to the enterprise, many organizations have made the move, and common challenges have been identified. This white paper discusses the application compatibility challenges facing those who haven't yet migrated to Windows 7, allowing them to benefit from the experiences of early adopters.
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Top 5 Windows 7 Migration Lessons to Know for the Future!
When it comes to Windows 7 (and future OS versions) migration process and approaches, the Dell Services team has found five key lessons essential to a successful operating system migration project. This whitepaper examines the importance of hardware, the mandate of a well-defined application strategy, the positive end user benefits of Windows 7, the reduction in overall IT complexity, and the overall benefits of working with a service provider through the OS migration strategy and deployment. Read this whitepaper to discover more detail around these "Best Practices" for driving a successful client OS migration.
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The Business and IT Benefits of a Server Upgrade with Windows Server 2008 R2 Migration
Pressure on IT budgets and scrutiny on capital expenditures is forcing many organizations to take a critical look at companion hardware upgrades to software upgrades. Companies that invested in Windows Server 2008 R2 and support the software with new, more powerful server hardware are getting the most from their IT buck.
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Windows Server 2008: 4 Little Known Virtualization Benefits
Virtualization's benefits have been well documented. Using virtualization, IT can consolidate physical servers, reduce costs, improve system uptime and help a company reduce energy usage. And yet today, according to Gartner, only 40 percent of all servers have been virtualized. And Enterprise Strategy Group research found that only 41 percent of companies have virtualized Tier-1 workloads.
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Understanding the Benefits of Windows 7 for Creating Efficient IT in Healthcare
If you're an IT administrator in the healthcare sector, ever-growing concerns over institutional and patient security should place an emphasis on reducing huge security risks as a high priority. After some very high profile breaches, running the decade-old Windows XP operating system on hospital and office computers should be considered a security risk on every desktop where it's still limping along.
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Conquering Government Challenges to Migrate to Windows 7
Migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7 can be especially challenging for government organizations, which have the added burden of dealing with budget battles and bureaucracy. At the same time, Windows 7 benefits like enhanced security and better support for virtualization make the OS especially appealing to the public sector. Download this guide to learn how your government organization can ease the path to Windows 7.
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Secure Mobility: Inside Windows Server 2008 Direct Access
The definition of “office space” has changed over the past few decades. A good chunk of our workforce has more than one office. And that’s a good thing for both employees and employers. For employees, there’s the potential for greater job satisfaction, and the ability to handle calls and problems when they come up. Employers end up with employees who are willing to work more hours, boosting overall productivity, because they can work from wherever they are. Many employers also see a spike in employee retention rates and gain access to an expanded labor pool, since location no longer matters as much.
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Simplify Your Migration to Windows Server 2008 R2: Tips and Tricks
Implementing and deploying any new platform can be difficult the first few times around, but by the time we're done, we've learned some key "tips and tricks" that make the job easier. If you want to learn from the experiences of others, check out the tips and pointers that Dell and Microsoft experts have developed for you. They'll help shorten your learning curve and make your migration smoother and more productive.
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Virtualization and Windows 7 on Campus
This Tech Spotlight eBook examines how higher-education institutions are making the best use of technologies like virtualization to trim costs without cutting services. It also offers a look at the costs colleges and universities can incur when planning a migration Windows 7. Download the eBook now to learn more.
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Education Spotlight on Virtualization
Download this eBook to learn how an all-encompassing approach to virtualization at your education institution or school district can result in cost savings and operational efficiencies. You can also examine the how your institution can plan for the costs of Windows 7 migration and how to design k-12 classrooms for the 21st century.
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Windows Server® 2008 & Cloud Solutions
As more and more organizations start to plan and deploy their first cloud solutions, there are a number of platform choices, and one of those that is getting more attention is Windows Server 2008. There are a number of important issues that every IT professional is considering in making the decisions on Cloud platforms
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Desktop Virtualization: The Right Solution for Efficiency, Security, and Unparalleled Flexibility
The cost and time associated with managing desktops is rising at a time when budgets are being tightened and IT staffing is strained. Dell offers a complete desktop virtualization solution that includes server and desktop hardware, software, and services.
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eGuide: A Prescription for IT Efficiency
Healthcare environments require top-notch computing systems to maintain compliance. Windows XP is more than a decade old and is a high security risk on every desktop where it’s installed. Upgrading to Windows 7 or Windows 8 offers better integration into enterprise-level healthcare IT with modern security, faster processes, less administration and break-fix time. Windows 8 is a flexible, responsive, and robust operating system, available on a small tablet or a large, multi-screen display. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with your IT infrastructure. Learn More
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Why Upgrading from XP to Windows 7 Still Makes Business Sense
Regardless of why your business stayed with Windows XP, supporting an aging OS is costly, both in terms of support expenses and the inability to take advantage of new capabilities. Download this guide to examine the business and IT advantages of migrating to Windows 7 and the costs of further delaying the move. It also takes a look at migration strategies, best practices and lessons learned, as well as the resources to help make the move smoother and most cost-effective.
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Virtualization Use Cases: How to Optimize Windows Server® 2008 R2 with Hyper-V™ in the Datacenter
Microsoft® Windows® The benefits of migrating to Windows Server2008 R2 with Hyper-V are numerous: improved management, lower costs for day-to-day operations, and of course, strong virtualization tools. As a result, the vast majority of Windows Server users are going to undertake the migration to the new version. As IT professionals know, a migration can drive costs and problems during the switchover. This is the reason why the Dell TechCenter and their engineering team have invested a great deal in simplifying your migration with Reference Architectures and Business Ready Configurations that eliminate many of the tasks that are commonly put on the IT professional during the migration
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YES Prep Saves $500,000 and Year of IT Staff Time: Virtualizing Dell Systems and Microsoft Hyper-V
Charter school district YES Prep Public Schools faced growing pains when it tried to replicate successful strategies between campuses. Teachers needed communication tools, as well as a system for managing and sharing student data. The district implemented Dell™ PowerEdge™ servers supported by a Dell EqualLogic™ iSCSI SAN, to run collaboration and performance management software in an environment that includes both physical and virtual servers. It also rolled out Dell OptiPlex™ desktop computers and Dell Latitude™ netbooks to improve the reliability of student computers and enhance their computing experience
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Best Practices for Migrating Healthcare Organizations from Windows XP to Windows 7
Migrating from an old OS environment takes a lot of time and planning, but the results are well worth it. Healthcare organizations migrating to Windows 7 from Windows XP can take advantage of increased productivity and security. Download this comprehensive guide for help with everything from convincing employees to switch to technical hurdles.
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Windows 7 Migration: Analyzing Internal vs. External Deployment Strategies and Costs
With Windows XP’s 2014 retirement looming, enterprises and government agencies are intensifying Windows 7 migration initiatives. To help these organizations make an informed decision about which approach to pursue, this white paper identifies the phases associated with an enterprise-wide migration strategy and estimates the time and cost associated with successfully concluding each step. Download this analysis to learn more about internal v. external deployment strategies and costs.
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Penn State Realizes Cost Avoidance and Enhances Learning with Dell Servers and Microsoft Hyper-V
By deploying Dell PowerEdge servers with Intel Xeon processors and Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization technology, Penn State's Jason Long, the IST Program Leader for the DuBois campus, was able to reduce server footprint, improve performance and create a virtual "sandbox" environment for students to learn in real-world situations without real-world impact
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Windows 7 Migration: Why Now Is the Time to Say Goodbye to Aging Client Systems
Inevitably, client computing systems age, and the typical three-year refresh cycle usually prevents high levels of computing disparity between hard-ware and software. In recent years, however, many organizations have delayed refreshing their client systems. One reason for the delay has been that the status quo seemed reliable; client computing devices continue to operate beyond the standard three-year refresh cycle. Download this white paper to learn why now is the time to say goodbye to aging systems.
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Creating a Timeline for Deploying Windows 7 and Eliminating Windows XP
Windows XP support ends April 8, 2014. Therefore, organizations must decide when to begin their migration to Windows 7, set a target date to have Windows XP out and define the scope of the project. This research paper reviews Gartner’s key findings and recommendations for deploying Windows 7.
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Making Desktop Virtualization Real And Easy to Implement
Windows Server 2008 R2 provides a critically important new capability that has the potential to dramatically improve the budget, resource allocation, and security of an organization through desktop virtualization. All IT and Data Center Managers know the current approach of unique devices with literally thousands of different images and highly unsecure data just will not work moving forward.
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Addressing Public Sector IT Pressures with Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2
Like their counterparts in private companies, IT organizations in local, state, and federal governments and government agencies face many of the same challenges, including the need to provide ever-more services and the need to protect data
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Windows 7 Migrations: 4 Steps to Reducing Challenges
Deadlines to complete Windows 7 migration are quickly approaching. As most IT managers in enterprises and government agencies are aware, Microsoft will end extended support for Windows XP in early 2014, which means that organizations will need to accelerate their efforts to conduct a well-managed and nondisruptive move to the latest operating system. Fortunately, the migration need not be onerous — and it may even provide benefits beyond Windows 7 productivity enhancements.
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Dell ProConsult Windows 7 Readiness Assessment
To capitalize on the benefits of Windows 7, you must make sure your computing environment is ready for the upgrade. The Dell Windows 7 Readiness Assessment is designed to identify application compatibility, hardware compatibility and migration readiness, and to provide the recommendations needed to help make your transition to Windows 7 as smooth as possible.
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Bringing Windows Server Virtualization to Your Production Environment
Virtualization technology is fast becoming the strategy of choice for companies that want to reap the benefits of cost-effective, flexible, and easy-to-manage server environments. After all, many standalone servers are running at 10 percent capacity or less, and businesses are finding that they can consolidate individual server workloads onto fewer, more powerful hardware units. In many cases, a single server box can support 10 or more virtual servers, each with its own operating system, allocated memory, and processor capacity.
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Enterprise-Class Hyper-V: Dell PRO and Microsoft Get it Done!
The value of Windows Server 2008 R2 is impossible to contest. And the migration to this critical infrastructure component is beginning in earnest, therefore developing the right plan and approach for this migration is an essential task for IT professionals
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CIO Strategies for End User Computing: Maximizing Productivity without Sacrificing Security
Advances in mobility and client computing technology combined with the ubiquity of social media are creating a culture of constant connectivity and anywhere access to information. As these trends extend into the work place Dell recommends CIOs proactively respond by creating a cost effective 3-5 year strategic plan for end user computing that enables increased end user productivity while maintaining IT control, and helps mitigate security threats. This paper provides best practices for creating end user computing strategies that respond to an evolving workforce.
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Windows 7 migration challenges and best practices for large enterprise and public sector - Dell Whitepaper from Forrester Research
Today, IT managers worldwide are accelerating their efforts toward planning for and migrating to Windows 7, and the next 12 to 18 months will be critical. But firms are facing a number of migration challenges. To learn more about ways to overcome these challenges and to find out what the study revealed about how to increase chances for a better Windows 7 migration,
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Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V: A New Solution Provides You with High Efficiency Virtualization
With the availability of Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V, IT decision makers have access to new features and functionality that make now the time to implement it in their data centers
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Get The Benefits of Windows Server 2008 With Simple Migration
As one of the core server software platforms in many organizations, Microsoft Windows Server is a key part of IT infrastructure. And the newest release, Windows Server 2008, not only improves functionality, but provides a number of on-going cost savings as compared to prior versions
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CIO Strategies for Consumerization: The Future of Enterprise Mobile Computing
IT consumerization, workforce mobility and flexible computing are changing the relationship between enterprise IT, knowledge workers and end users. For the CIO, IT consumerization represents the confluence of a difficult set of challenges (security, technology policy, data protection, end-user technology) and business strategy (new business models, talent strategy, corporate brand and identity).
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Avoiding the 8 Common Mistakes of Windows 7 Migration
Many organizations delayed client refresh initiatives to conserve resources during the economic recession. Organizations also delayed migration to the Windows 7 operating system for the same reason, and because OS migrations can be risky and time-consuming.
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How Well Is Your Data Protected?
Data theft is on the rise, and so too are the penalties for exposing personal information. Some research shows that the number of data breaches increased by 50 percent from 2007 to 2008. As such, companies need better data protection.
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Corporate Desktop Operating System and Browser Trends, Q2 2010 to Q2 2011
In this report, Forrester analyzes more than 400,000 client PCs to determine the latest corporate OS and browser trends. What did we find? Windows 7 has quickly become the standard for new hardware, and IE's corporate dominance is slowly eroding in favor of Firefox, Google's Chrome, and Apple's Safari.
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Rogue Peripherals & Applications: Controlling the Chaos
Security concerns remain a high priority for IT departments as hackers continue to target corporate computers, hoping to steal data for malicious purposes. One of the most vexing management problems for end-user support staff is when an unauthorized application or peripheral causes a conflict or malfunction.
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How to Accurately Plan for Windows Server 2008 Hardware
Microsoft Windows Server 2008 promises to deliver simplified server management and enhanced security, as well as resource optimization and server consolidation through support of built in virtualization technology. But before an organization can realize these benefits, it must first evaluate its server hardware situation to determine which existing servers can run the new OS. Knowing that, an organization can then estimate what new hardware will be needed to migrate to the new operating system.
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How Security Features in Windows Server 2008 Can Save You Money
Data theft is on the rise, and so too are the penalties for exposing personal information. In fact, businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions reported 50 percent more data breaches in 2008 than in 2007, exposing the personal records of at least 35.7 million Americans, according to the non-profit Internet Theft Resource Center.
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Windows 7: A Prescription for Desktop Health
IT plays an ever-increasing critical role as healthcare organizations seek ways to improve patient care. Healthcare IT executives are busy smoothing out electronic medical records implementations, enabling mobility within medical center facilities, or evaluating how to support the latest medical diagnostic and imaging systems. With such priorities, desktop modernization hasn't been on the agenda. Most healthcare organizations, in fact, still rely on computers running Microsoft's 10-year-old Windows XP operating system. For many, that will change this year.
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The Federal Agenda: How to Optimize a Windows 7 Deployment
As agencies become more open and responsive to citizens' demands for more accountability and transparency, IT plays an increasingly pivotal role within the U.S. government. Federal IT executives must enable greater flexibility for users within their agencies, while still maintaining tight controls over their computing environments. Security is paramount, as is the ability to manage risk and reduce costs.
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Simplifying Windows Server 2008 Deployment
Windows 7 will substantially improve productivity and manageability within your organization. The first step is to assess and plan this migration which will impact nearly every aspect of your PC environment. Skipping this step leads to complications, cost overruns, and issues with your internal customers. Dell's experience in OS migrations and PC deployment drives a best practices approach to designing your rollout. Watch this video to learn more
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Dell Virtualization Advisor
This tool is designed as a guide for customers with a comfortable knowledge of virtualization and their server/storage environment. For those customers who prefer a more customized solution, Dell offers a full range of Infrastructure Consulting Services to analyze your specific needs and operational considerations to provide recommendations including future growth.
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Migration Lesson Plan for Educational Institutions
Universities and K-12 school systems throughout the U.S. are putting away their overhead projectors and paper-based teaching aids. Today, leading-edge coursework is all about interactivity with collaborative, virtual learning as a primary objective. Distance-learning sessions are springing up around campuses and schools worldwide, and education's reliance on software-based instruction is increasing year by year. For education IT executives, these new classroom environments mean the need to support increasingly shared multimedia workloads and a slew of new and varied applications -- all while keeping traditional legacy applications flowing smoothly.
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Updated 2010: Windows 7 Commercial Adoption Outlook
More than one year after its general availability (GA) launch, Windows 7 powers one out of every 10 PCs within North American and European companies. While far from overwhelming -- especially considering that Windows XP still powers 75% -- IT managers worldwide are preparing for a significant desktop transformation over the next three years.
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Top 10 Reasons to Migrate to Windows Server 2008
Windows Server 2008 is designed to provide increased reliability and control over your server infrastructure. New virtualization tools, web technologies, and security enhancements help save time and reduce costs, and provide you with high availability and increased flexibility for your changing business needs
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Dell - Microsoft Hyper-V and SCVMM
Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V™, Microsoft's next generation hypervisor technology, adds an exciting new dimension to the server virtualization market. With Hyper-V and Microsoft’s integrated Server Management suite, you can take advantage of a powerful set of tools to help simplify infrastructure management and better utilize your hardware investments
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Tips and Tricks for a Successful Windows 7 Migration
Many public organizations and large enterprises had ridden out the tough economic times by delaying an operating system (OS) migration from Microsoft Windows XP to Windows 7. Today, however, the case for a migration is highly compelling.
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Best Practices for Migration to Windows 7
Windows 7 is garnering positive reactions with the speed, stability, and interface improvements. Join Aaron Goldberg, VP, Market Experts Group of Ziff Davis Enterprise and Andrew Garcia, Senior Technical Analyst at eWeeks Labs as they cover such topics as buying new hardware versus upgrading PCs in place, successful approaches to migrating user data and settings/personality, image management, options for XP environments, and much more in this Dell sponsored webcast.
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The Essentials Series: Automation Tools for Windows 7 Migration
Ensuring Windows 7 migration success requires effective planning, good data, and the support of an automation platform. The right platform integrates the seven key activities with the data that ensures their success. Furthermore, an effective Windows 7 migration platform can also be used as your solution for ongoing administration and maintenance.
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Maxol: Oil Firm Grows Business While Trimming Servers by 80 Percent
Maxol offers a comprehensive range of oil and petroleum products to all sectors of the Irish market. Always trying to trim costs, Maxol wanted to curb the rate of server growth and the costs associated with server proliferation. It also wanted to boost utilization of its servers, some of which ran at a limited capacity. Maxol used the Windows Server 2008 Enterprise operating system featuring Hyper-V virtualization technology to consolidate twenty-two servers to six servers, an eighty percent reduction. Maxol estimates that it will save approximately U.S. $94,000 in hardware and U.S.$47,000 in electrical costs over three years. Server utilization has jumped to thirty percent, and server management is easier using Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager 2008. The IT staff can create virtual machines in a fraction of the time needed to deploy physical servers.
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NetBenefit: Hosting Provider Uses Virtualization to Expand Services and Reduce Costs
NetBenefit is a leading provider of managed hosting services in the United Kingdom. Faced with ever more expensive London data center costs, the company was looking for ways to expand the hosting solutions it offered its clients while maximizing data center space
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Gartner Client Operating Systems: Enterprises Plan Early, but Slow, Move to Windows 7
This Gartner analyst paper indicates that Windows 7 promises to be a popular migration project, but many organizations plan to spend three to four years on the endeavor to leverage PC refresh and keep costs down. Client computing managers should use this research to understand how other organizations are planning their projects. Click here to read more.
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Gartner Research: Prepare for Your Windows 7 Migration Crunch
This Gartner analyst paper indicates that the necessity to migrate off Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 2000 in a tight time frame to Windows 7 will create an extra budgetary and resource burden on companies from 2011 to 2012. Click here to read more.
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HotSchedules: Workforce Scheduling Provider Increases Capacity and Competitiveness with Virtualization
HotSchedules needed an agile and scalable IT environment that could respond quickly to growth opportunities. The company deployed the Windows Server 2008 operating system with Hyper-V virtualization technology to consolidate its server environment, reduce costs, and maximize network performance. By hosting up to 19 virtual machines on each physical server, HotSchedules increased its growth capacity while cutting power costs 77 percent and enhancing the company's competitive position.
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Dell Storage and CommVault Simpana Ease Adoption of Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Migrating data associated with Microsoft operating systems, applications, and other software can be a challenge administrators overlook when planning system upgrades. Dell PowerVault and Dell EqualLogic storage and CommVault Simpana data management software enable flexible data migration and transparent, release-specific data object recovery and backup to help simplify upgrades in enterprise environments.
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Addressing Windows 7 Application Compatibility
Most large companies don't roll out a brand new technology as soon as it's released. Upgrade and migration projects can be huge, especially for complex, distributed workplaces that employ numerous custom applications.
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Windows 7 Security and Compliance
Hackers are employing more sophisticated techniques to infect systems and steal data. In addition, more data is subject to privacy and protection laws and regulations. As a result, organizations are under increased pressure to secure their computers, protect their users' and customers' data, and comply with new regulations.
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HotSchedules Video
Virtualization services from Dell helps HotSchedules scale their business.
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Accelerating OS Deployment with Microsoft Windows Deployment Services
Microsoft Windows Deployment Services (WDS) provides an accessible, flexible way to perform mass deployments of current and legacy Windows operating systems. Using customized answer files and taking advantage scripting and other tools with WDS can help dramatically reduce the time to perform highly configured mass deployments with minimal infrastructure impact.
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The Current State of Windows 7 Migration
2010 is widely considered the year in which companies of all sizes are going to refresh their hardware and software. Many companies are planning and executing Windows 7 migration strategies in an accelerated timeframe, and in this paper, we'll discuss the factors driving that urgency and the practical and operational benefits of upgrading.
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Cost-planning for a Windows 7 Migration
Microsoft Windows 7 is earning positive reviews for its productivity and security features, and experts agree it is the right OS for businesses in 2010 and beyond. When you're planning an upgrade to Windows 7, one major factor is budget planning. This tech brief will discuss the three main -- and sometimes overlooked -- budget considerations every company should keep in mind: Hardware costs, application compatibility assurance, and deployment cost.
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Installing Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Drivers on Dell PowerEdge Servers
Upgrading Dell PowerEdge servers to the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 OS also typically requires selecting, installing, and troubleshooting device drivers. Using tested and validated drivers and following best practices can help administrators ensure optimal performance in their environments.
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Migrating Dell PowerEdge Servers to Microsoft Windows Server 2008
Upgrading to the Microsoft Windows Server 2008 OS can offer myriad advantages, including enhanced performance, security, and stability. By following best practices for in-place upgrades and taking advantage of tools such as the Dell Windows Server 2008 Readiness Advisor, administrators can help ensure a smooth migration on their Dell PowerEdge servers.
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Dell Latitude Z for Mobile Business People
In the mobile business world you need to be constantly connected, that's why it is no surprise these days that most people rely more on their smart phones than their laptops. Get ready to change your mind.
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Automating Processes to Optimize a Windows 7 Deployment
Recent research from IDC suggests around 20 percent of enterprises to adopt Windows 7 within the first 12 months of its release, and another 40 percent to upgrade within 12 to 48 months. The need to replace an aging fleet of computers, the potential cost savings when using Windows 7, and the inevitable end of Windows XP support mean the time to start planning is now. However, most IT departments haven't managed a major client OS refresh in over six years. In that timeframe, application, user data requirements, and complexity have grown exponentially. A Windows 7 deployment will likely involve hundreds or thousands of PCs, with some in distributed and remote locations. This introduces several challenges.
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Gartner Research: Planning for the Security Features of Windows 7
With Windows 7, Microsoft has added and extended many security capabilities in its flagship Windows operating system (OS) that Gartner believes have strong merit. Deciding which features to activate as well as testing will impact the planning for every Windows 7 rollout. Get it here!
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Gartner Research: Prepare for Your Windows 7 Migration Crunch
This Gartner analyst paper indicates that the necessity to migrate off Microsoft Windows XP and Windows 2000 in a tight time frame to Windows 7 will create an extra budgetary and resource burden on companies from 2011 to 2012.
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Baker Tilly Looks Forward to Running Windows 7 on Dell Clients
Baker Tilly is one of the largest firms of chartered accountants and business advisors in the United Kingdom, with 2,200 employees at 25 locations. The firm has a high concentration of mobile employees—more than 70 percent of its employees often work from dispersed locations using portable computers.
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Customer Success: Hoover City Schools Case Study
Hoover City Schools in Alabama wanted a solution that would give its faculty and staff more flexible ways to communicate as well as replace its current voice-mail system. Working with Microsoft Gold Certified Partner TekLinks, the school district deployed Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 with unified messaging in August 2007 and has begun to deploy Microsoft Office Communications Server 2007 for instant messaging and conferencing.
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Your First Step in Your Windows 7 Migration: Dell's Windows 7 Readiness Assessment
Windows 7 will substantially improve productivity and manageability within your organization. The first step is to assess and plan this migration which will impact nearly every aspect of your PC environment. Skipping this step leads to complications, cost overruns, and issues with your internal customers. Dell's experience in OS migrations and PC deployment drives a best practices approach to designing your rollout. Watch this video to learn more.
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Forrester Report: Windows 7 Adoption Outlook
More than one year after its general availability (GA) launch, Windows 7 powers one out of every 10 PCs within North American and European companies. While far from overwhelming - especially considering that Windows XP still powers 75% - IT managers worldwide are preparing for a significant desktop transformation over the next three years.
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Making a Successful Migration to Windows 7: A Fireside Chat with the Experts
Windows 7 has arrived, and the plaudits for it are overwhelming. The decision to move is really about when, not if. To that end, the real questions for most IT professionals are how best to make the move to Windows 7, and how to simplify and streamline the migration process. To help you be successful, this webcast features experts from Dell and Ziff Davis Enterprise in a fireside chat format, to discuss the key steps to successful migration.
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Windows 7: Tips and Best Practices for Simplified Migration
With XP approaching its end of life, and many organizations choosing to skip Vista as an interim step, the new Windows 7 release holds the promise of new user features and benefits. Regardless of the starting point, a migration to Windows 7 is a path that holds as many questions and challenges as it does potential rewards. By beginning your planning now, understanding industry best practices, as well as having the right tools in place, your transition to Windows 7 will go as smoothly as possible when you're ready to make the move. Read this white paper to learn more about new features to Windows 7 and best practices for simplifying your migration.
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Enabling the Windows Optimized Desktop through Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows Server 2008 R2
There is more pressure than ever on IT departments to deliver business value, despite the challenges of shrinking budgets, rapidly changing technologies, and increasing security issues. To help organizations address these demands, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows Server 2008 R2 provide technologies to help build an infrastructure for the Windows Optimized Desktop. When deployed together, Windows 7 Enterprise and Windows Server 2008 R2 combine values that can increase productivity for end users and IT professionals and create a more secure and well-managed infrastructure to reduce operational costs and complexity.
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Windows 7 and Optimized Desktop Volume Licensing
Microsoft Volume Licensing solutions provide a flexible, cost effective way to give your organization access to the latest Windows desktop technologies. Whether your business wants to upgrade to Windows 7, have access to advanced technologies like Windows 7 Enterprise and the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, or deploy emerging virtualization scenarios, there is a Volume Licensing program that is right for your organization. Volume Licensing is the most affordable way to upgrade your existing PCs to Windows 7.
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Windows 7 Tips and Tricks vol 4
This volume includes tips on the Windows 7 Problem Steps Recorder, Sticky Notes, Adaptive Display Brightness, the Action Center, how to burn .ISO files, and change your location information.
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Windows 7 Tips and Tricks vol 3
Change the Scenery. Windows 7 allows you to personalize your desktop background to suit your many moods with a new shuffle feature for your desktop
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Windows 7 Tips and Tricks vol 1
Help the Help Desk Help You. Solving problems unique to a machine can be an arduous task for both the end-user and the help desk. This volume includes tips on the Problem Steps Recorder, shuffling through program windows, managing your windows, projecting your display with ease, multi-monitor window management, how to Aero peek your desktop, and live clutter-free.
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Plan Now for Windows 7 - Forrester's Perspective
Planning your Windows 7 licensing strategy is not an exercise done in isolation, and you can gain from Forrester's independent analyst perspective.Your existing licenses and volume licensing agreements, the Windows 7 edition you plan on upgrading to and the timeline, and how SA impacts your deployment all factor into your plans. Your historical approach to refreshing your desktops and laptops combined with the age of your infrastructure by the time you're ready to start your Windows 7 deployment will impact whether you should introduce it via a forklift or ?big bang? approach or via the natural rolling refresh cycle. Read this white paper to learn how analyzing your options for a Windows 7 upgrade today can save you money down the road.
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Dell ProConsult Application Migration & Management
Dell has developed an efficient, cost effective factory approach to Application Migration that begins with assessment and reporting on the compatibility of your application portfolio.
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Windows 7 Upgrade Paths
This document will provide you with the details and information that you need to make the right decisions about how to migrate to Windows 7. This document includes the details on what upgrade paths are supported, and which are not. In addition, there are links to technical resources that can help you plan and manage the migration of your client systems without problems or other issues that might cause costs to rise or for the project to be delayed.
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Enhancing Mobility and Productivity via Touch Devices and Windows 8
On Demand Webcast: Which end user touch devices are right for your organization? If you are not sure of the answer, then you are not alone. Today's tablets, ultrabooks, and laptops are designed with customized user experiences and needs in mind, but for IT management, unlocking the right combination for business needs may be a mystery. Join this webcast to learn more about ways to enhance productivity through both Windows 8 and new touch devices. Register today to learn more about new end-user solutions and about how to integrate Windows 8 for best results within your organization.
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BYOD: Enabling Productivity Without Sacrificing IT Control
On Demand Webcast: Has the bring-your-own-device wave hit your organization? If not, it will; and if so, now is the time to consider the implications of balancing employee productivity with hardware and application security and support, as well as defining the proper policies and levels of acceptable risk around BYOD. As more and more IT Professionals struggle to incorporate personally owned laptops, tablets, and smart phones under the corporate infrastructure, certain challenges must be addressed. This webcast will help answer the "How-to" questions around juggling a diverse set of devices and operating systems as well as maintaining oversight of data and application use.
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Gaining Ground on BYOD Problems with Windows & Service Providers
This eSeminar will look at a few of the key steps that IT Professionals should be considering as they move to a more secure and better managed BYOD environment.
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Avoiding the 7 Pitfalls of Windows 7 Adoptions: An Expert's Perspective
Watch this On Demand eSeminar and learn best practices to drive efficiency and improve migration results. Complete your project on time and on budget.
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Mitigating the Aggravation in Your Windows 7 Migration
Armed with the latest research, experts at this online event will help you to identify and mitigate potential issues you may encounter on your path to migration. But this eSeminar doesn't stop there. In addition to pointing you in the right direction, industry experts will showcase Windows 7 best practices designed to truly drive efficiency and improve results. We will also examine how other enterprise and public sector organizations have made the best use of service providers and the benefits received.
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Windows 7 Migration - Real World Experiences
As the movement to Windows 7 picks up a great deal of momentum, and the implementations start to multiply, it's critical for internal IT staffs to develop an efficient and effective plan for this migration. In many cases, this additional task load can be a real back breaker for IT, and for this reason, many organizations are working with service providers to get the job done. This webcast will provide you with the details you need on how many of your peers are maximizing internal and external resources to make the move. In addition, we'll touch on key issues such as using new PCs for W7 deployment, data migration issues, and how to insure you are maximizing your security solutions.
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Windows Server 2008 R2 & Hyper-V - Expert Panel on How To Migrate, Deploy, Virtualize & Manage
The benefits of migrating to Windows Server 2008 R2 with Hyper-V are numerous: improved management, lower costs for day-to-day operations, and of course, strong virtualization tools. As a result, the vast majority of Windows Server users are going to undertake the migration to the new version. As IT professionals know, a migration can drive costs and problems during the switchover. This is the reason why the Dell TechCenter and their engineering team have invested a great deal in simplifying your migration with Reference Architectures and Business Ready Configurations that eliminate many of the tasks that are commonly put on the IT professional during the migration. A lot of the features we are seeing in R2 have real benefit in, not just lowering your cost of IT operations, but in actually simplifying a number of aspects making your day-to-day administration job easier. But to get to those benefits we have to find the best way to migrate and deploy.
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Best Practices for Windows 7 Deployment - Dell's Expertise and Experience Simplify the Process
Windows 7 has become an important product and a key platform as we look at the improvements in security, usability, management all aspects that not only make for efficient IT but also for protected IT. Join featured speaker Eric Delasalice, End User Practice Director with Dell, as he covers the various OS functions and features that Windows 7 brings forth to the enterprise and all the business benefits to gain from a Windows 7 deployment.
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Simple Solutions to Application Compatibility Issues for Windows 7 Migration
To get to Windows 7 one of the first tasks is to look at application compatibility, make plans, identify any issues and move forward. This is to eliminate any surprises during deployment. Join featured speaker, Jefferson Raley, Manager, End User Computing, ProConsult from Dell, as he goes into detail on how to make a smooth migration into Windows 7 and which compatibility issues to avoid.
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See the Latest Windows 7 News
Two Windows gurus discuss the latest Windows 7 news. The operating system was designed using feedback from customers to simplify users' PC experience. Watch the video to learn more about the new and improved features of Windows 7.
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How to Be Ready for Windows 7
Today, IT professionals are mandated to lower operating costs, enhance security, and simplify both systems administration and management. Yet, challenges persist in the realm of End User/Client Computing. Simply put, IT needs have evolved greatly since 2002, when XP was initially designed. As a result, business costs are rising for desktop and notebook PC ownership while it's becoming unfeasible for IT professionals to ensure robust security needs.
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SAS Strengthens Sales and Streamlines Global Operations with Windows 7 on Dell Client Systems
Helping businesses operate more intelligently is what SAS Institute Inc. does. SAS produces powerful business intelligence and data analytics solutions designed for multi-tier, multi-threaded server and complex grid environments. The company wanted to improve efficiency in its global processes for procurement and deployment of client computers, then use the new processes to roll out client hardware and software that would meet the needs of its developers and sales teams.
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Worcester Technical High School Helps Raise Grades and Test Scores with Help from Dell and Microsoft
The birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, the city of Worcester, Massachusetts is an appropriate place for a vocational high school that is revolutionizing the way students are prepared for 21st century careers. Worcester Technical High School (WTHS) has a 100-year old tradition as a trade school, but in 2006 it made a new beginning with a $90 million, 400,000 square foot facility that has its own restaurant, bake shop, bank, gift store and print shop, all staffed by students and open to the public for business.
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Thomas College Provides Students with Dell and Microsoft Technologies and Reduces Server Footprint
Thomas College is a private liberal arts college in Waterville, Maine that offers a rich liberal arts and professional studies curriculum for undergraduate and graduate students in a wide variety of programs including arts and sciences, business, criminal justice, education and technology.
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In With the New
Hoover City Schools wanted to update its 6,500 client systems—a mix of desktop PCs, netbooks and mobile tablet devices—to the latest Microsoft operating system. But the district needed to be sure that the applications it depended on would work in the new environment, and that learning would be enhanced by the migration, not disrupted. As a solution, Hoover City Schools saved months of testing time and accelerates Microsoft Windows 7 migration with Dell services.
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Managing a Vast Technology Infrastructure
Hoover City Schools wanted to update its 6,500 client systems—a mix of desktop PCs, netbooks and mobile tablet devices—to the latest Microsoft operating system. But the district needed to be sure that the applications it depended on would work in the new environment, and that learning would be enhanced by the migration, not disrupted. As a solution, Hoover City Schools saved months of testing time and accelerates Microsoft Windows 7 migration with Dell services.
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Navigating a Demanding Deployment
The U.S. IT team at Mediterranean Shipping Company faced the challenge of deploying 1,000 desktop systems across 15 cities in a six-week time frame over weekends only.
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Product Spotlight
XPS 12 Convertible Ultrabook: Two Devices in One Package - Powerful Ultrabook Plus Full Featured Tablet
The XPS 12 features a novel and elegant flip-hinge touchscreen display designed to take advantage of the Windows 8 features for touch interaction. The result is two products in one, providing the full functionality of an ultraportable laptop with keyboard plus the convenience of a tablet.
The innovative flip hinge design can easily transition from laptop to tablet and back to a laptop, featuring a full HD screen that provides 97 percent more pixels than a standard HD display. The result is an exceptionally crisp reading as well as photo and video viewing experience. The XPS 12 features thoughtful design, attractive aesthetics, and is crafted from premium materials such as machined aluminum, carbon fiber, and Corning Gorilla Glass for durability.
- A two-for-one ultrabook and tablet with touch display
- Innovative flip hinge design to switch between the two
- Full HD screen with 97 percent more pixels than standard HD displays allowing for exceptionally clear and bright viewing
Sponsored by:
Recent Resources
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eGuide: A Prescription for IT Efficiency
Healthcare environments require top-notch computing systems to maintain compliance. Windows XP is more than a decade old and is a high security risk on every desktop where it’s installed. Upgrading to Windows 7 or Windows 8 offers better integration into enterprise-level healthcare IT with modern security, faster processes, less administration and break-fix time. Windows 8 is a flexible, responsive, and robust operating system, available on a small tablet or a large, multi-screen display. It’s designed to integrate seamlessly with your IT infrastructure. Learn More
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Enhancing Mobility and Productivity via Touch Devices and Windows 8
On Demand Webcast: Which end user touch devices are right for your organization? If you are not sure of the answer, then you are not alone. Today's tablets, ultrabooks, and laptops are designed with customized user experiences and needs in mind, but for IT management, unlocking the right combination for business needs may be a mystery. Join this webcast to learn more about ways to enhance productivity through both Windows 8 and new touch devices. Register today to learn more about new end-user solutions and about how to integrate Windows 8 for best results within your organization.
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Six Myths of Windows RT Revealed!
Misinformation has circulated around Windows RT, the new Microsoft OS for tablets that powers a range of new Dell devices. This white paper confronts the top myths and helps to clarify the true capabilities of Windows RT related to:
- Manageability
- Security
- Enterprise readiness
- Line of business applications
- "Bring your own device" compatibility
- Robustness as an OS
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What's New in Windows Server 2012: Moving Beyond the Data Center
Anywhere, anytime access has become a requirement as users and partners have moved off premises, and customers demand access to the IT infrastructure. IT is increasingly tapping virtualization and the cloud as a way to keep up with current market and end-user demands. These changes have required IT to rethink its approach to computing, moving from a domain-centric environment to one that has its roots in the cloud. With the right planning, hardware and software such as Windows Server 2012, IT can quickly respond to changing business needs and requirements in a cost-effective manner.
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In the News
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Microsoft Windows 8: 11 Hot Enterprise Features of the OS
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Windows 8: New Business-Friendly Security Features
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Microsoft Windows 8 Officially Unveiled at NYC Event
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Microsoft Claims Windows Server 2012, Hyper-V Will Win Converts From VMware
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Microsoft Pushes Windows Azure to Play With the Big Clouds
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Windows 7 Use Will Thrive Through 2013: 10 Reasons Why
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Desktop Virtualization Ready for Prime Time









