Discover the Windows 8 Upgrade Assistant

Wondering whether or not you can upgrade your current machine to Windows 8? If so, you may want to visit the Upgrade to Windows 8 page on the Windows website to download and run the Upgrade Assistant.

Windows 8 Users Don't Be Blue – 8.1 is Free for You

The next version of the Windows client operating system, previously code-named "Windows Blue" will be officially be named Windows 8.1.

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.

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

The Windows Decision - Application Compatibility

How do we best determine which version of Windows best supports the applications in use in our own environment?

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Did you know that mainstream support for Microsoft Exchange 2003 will be withdrawn two months after support for Windows XP ends, in June 2014? 

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.  

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.

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.

Reflections From Convergence 2013

The annual Microsoft Convergence Conference, which focuses on the Microsoft Dynamics family of products, is underway in New Orleans.

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.

Dell Developing Data Center Dominance

With each new acquisition announcement, Dell's plans for the data center becomes increasingly clear.

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.

'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.

System Center: Because There's No Silver Bullet

We continue our conversation with Microsoft Senior IT Pro Evangelist Bob Hunt.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Directions on Active Directory Domain Services

Discover excellent information and links to resources regarding ADDS in Windows Server 2012.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

Ensuring Exchange 2013 Migration Success

Learn the 10 steps to ensure a successful migration to Microsoft Exchange.

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.

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'

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.

Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 5 Rapid Elasticity

Continuing our look at the characteristics of a private cloud with rapid elasticity.

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.

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?'

Migrating to Private Cloud - Part 2 OnDemand SelfService

Continuing our look at how Microsoft designed Windows Server 2012 to deliver private cloud solutions.

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.

Cross Platform Compatibility Continues

If you have been putting off your upgrade or implementation of Microsoft System Center 2012, your time has come.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Microsoft’s Windows Server 2012.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

BYOD – Another Good Reason to Use VDI for Client Migration

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.

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.

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.

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.

Application Compatibility in Windows 7 Migrations

A new paper from Dell and Quest focuses on ensuring application compatibility during upgrades of desktop operating systems.

What You Need to Know About Windows 8

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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 company’s own data center.

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.

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.

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.

Are You Ready?

Avoid surprises by performing a careful assessment of your environment’s readiness for your Windows 7 migration.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Gartner Research: Prepare for Windows 7 in Three Phases

Many organizations are skipping Vista and looking forward to Windows 7. This independent 3rd party research from Gartner provides the necessary steps to prepare for Windows 7 and ensure a successful migration with adequate operating system (OS) support. Get it here!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Dell Pro Support for IT

Service and support can make or break your business. Downtime, lost data, and unavailable applications all have huge cost. The last thing your business needs is to spend valuable time repeating basic troubleshooting when a hardware issue arises. Simply put, you need to be able to quickly, efficiently and seamlessly resolve technical issues. Your support solution should aid in that endeavor, not get in the way of it.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.