Windows 7 Migration:

AN EXPERIENCED TEAM AND PROVEN PROCESSES ENSURE SUCCESS

CAPITALIZE ON NEARLY 20 YEARS

OF WINDOWS MIGRATION EXPERIENCE
To Reduce Risk & Avoid Unnecessary Cost
The Technisource Migration Model Uses Two Time-Tested Methodologies
Our years of experience in helping firms update their operating systems and applications led to the development of two methods that few other firms offer. These methods streamline deployments and help control costs. IT had to reinstall an older version of Excel as they pressed to figure out how to fix the broken files. Failure to test ultimately led to frustrated users, lost productivity of some of their most costly employees, and out-of-pocket expense to fix the problems. All because of not testing.

Updating your operating system to Windows 7 doesnt have to be painful. True, some of your existing applications might require modification. Files might need to be converted, group policies updated, and bandwidth increased. Some existing hardware might now be obsolete. And users might require additional support for a while but if approached in an organized and logical fashion, migrating to Windows 7, while challenging, does not have to be an IT nightmare. Were not minimizing the level of effort required. Although Microsoft has done a thorough job of streamlining the migration process, there are still potential pitfalls. Firms running older operating systems will no doubt find that replacing them is not trivial. The keys to a successful deployment are: understanding which features of Windows 7 will support your organizations attainment of its business objectives, how ready from a resource (hardware and software) and skill set perspective you are to use the new OS, and how adept your firm is at identifying and managing all the tasks involved in implementing the system.

This involves defining business objectives; inventorying applications and hardware; understanding such issues as data storage, images and image processes, and applicability of additional tools; and deciding on which version of Windows 7 best fits your needs and environment.

DISCOVERY

The Impact Mitigation Process

Our extensive experience in assisting firms with their OS migration projects gives us insight into potential project pitfalls so we can avoid delays or additional costs. We assess all of the potential effects the deployment of Windows 7 might have on the organization. In the Project Design phase, we specify ways to avoid or eliminate the risks or mitigate their impact. A number of obvious and some not so obvious issues must be considered: understanding which applications need to tested, how the implementation of features is going to change the amount of network bandwidth, the amount, type, and methods of user or IT staff training, whether the pace of deployment will require augmenting the help desk for some period, how the pace of deployment should be altered to address business usage. Dozens of issues must be examined for their potential impact on the organization before the rollout. Although such a process seems so straightforward that it would be second nature to most firms we find thats not the case. Many firms rush into migration without thoroughly appreciating the potential minefields that can disrupt and frustrate IT staff and user alike or they leave issues unexamined in the hopes of additional project revenues later. If a firm hasnt updated their operating system in several years, they might be completely unaware of some of the potential risks. One of our clients attempted to rollout Office 2007 without any testing thinking that backwards compatibility wouldnt be an issue. Overnight they automatically pushed it out to all of their end-users. The next morning they found that the update had caused all of their Finance Departments Excel files to break. Their CFO and their VP of Finance & Accounting couldnt open their spreadsheets. As one might imagine the results werent good.

Our Collaborative Work Breakdown Structuring Process

Because system migration is our bread-and-butter, we know the tasks to perform. From application testing to application remediation to building the image to building the automated medium to designing the data transfer script to scheduling technicians to hit all the remote sites we know what has to happen for the migration to work. BUT were not your IT Department and we know that in some circumstances there are pieces of the migration project that they want to or should do for a variety of reasons like culture, cost relief, or to enhance knowledge transfer of the environment. There are also pieces that make sense to outsource either because the internal team doesnt have the time or experience. Our structured approach to migration allows us to clearly delineate which tasks could be performed by in-house personnel and which should be outsourced. During the Project Design phase, we list all of the tasks to be performed and then work together with the client to decide who should get which assignments. This entails an evaluation of team skills and staff availability and can incorporate cultural sensitivities. For example, perhaps some groups of users only trust one employee for certain tasks. This type of process accommodates the needs and resources of the client. An additional benefit to the client is knowledge transfer. By working closely together with our staff of migration specialists, client personnel develop new technical and project management skills. They also obtain an intimate knowledge of their new system because of their deep involvement in making it work. These are skills and insights that can prove invaluable down the road as system modifications are required. This integrated blending of in-sourcing and outsourcing is a Technisource strength.

PROJECT DESIGN Within this phase hardware requirements are identified, software applications and versions are standardized, data handling methods are specified, Windows images are created, automated deployment processes are developed, the deployment schedule is created, any needed management tools are designed, and training requirements and methodologies are determined. Internal staffing requirements are established and assigned and the potential need for outsourcing is evaluated. TESTING Critical to meeting scheduled deadlines and controlling costs, testing assesses application compatibility, hardware capacity, deployment processes, help desk capabilities, and network bandwidth. If problems arise, alternative solutions are created. DEPLOYMENT This is where the rubber meets the road the new operating system is disseminated throughout the organization. The issues addressed in this phase include the use of automated tools, the building of a single image with the operating system only and layer applications on top, the standardization of deployment processes and tools for use for future deployments, communication to end users, training, and service desk augmentation as necessary. PROJECT CLOSURE Important, but often underappreciated, this concluding phase summarizes the migration process and validates that success criteria were met. It is here that the lessons learned and operational recommendations are documented.
Technisource developed and honed this five-phase migration process over almost two decades of performing Windows migrations from Windows 3.1 to Windows for Work Groups to Windows NT to Windows 95, 98, and 2000, to XP, to Vista and now to Windows 7. It is an efficient, prudent, and proven approach.

The endeavor requires the ability to think both strategically and tactically.

To paraphrase the Cheshire Cat, If you dont know where youre going, it doesnt matter which way you go
The first step in deploying Windows 7, as with almost any endeavor, is to understand where you are, where you want to go, and how youre going to get there. At Technisource, we approach migration projects in five distinct phases: Discovery, Project Design, Testing, Deployment, and Project Closure. We begin by working with you to map Windows 7 features to your business objectives and conclude by reviewing and analyzing whether we ended up at our intended destination and what lessons we learned on the journey.

Find out how Technisource can help you with your Windows 7 Migration For more information about our Windows 7 migration services contact.. at

Why Technisource is the Right Choice for Your Windows 7 Migration

There are many types of firms available to help you migrate to Windows 7 these include small, local services firms; the behemoth national consulting firms; product providers; and VARs. Depending on your needs some of these type firms might work for you but we believe that for most firms Technisource is the best fit. Heres why: Weve been working with Microsoft operating systems since the beginning. A long standing Microsoft Partner holding the Desktop Platform competency, weve crafted a specific Windows migration approach that assesses the readiness of your firm. Our proven approach ensures you are fully prepared and mitigates potential risks before implementation begins. Our structured implementation has had successful results for hundreds of customers. Weve migrated tens of thousands of end users in a variety of environments. We recognize that every implementation is somewhat different and our flexible, open model means we can handle the project entirely or as a member of your internal team. Because were also a staffing firm with a national recruiting base we can cost effectively support migrations of any size at any location(s). Weve designed and implemented Microsoft infrastructure solutions for clients having from 100 to more than 100,000 users.

Migration Experience that Spans Industries

Weve assisted firms across a variety of industries tackle their Operating System migration projects. A sampling of our specific experience includes:

Technisource Operating System Migration Experience

Client/Industry Pharmaceutical Description Migration and laptop technology refresh for the clients 4,000-person nationwide field sales force. Operating System Migration Projects 1. Complete project management responsibility 2. Upgraded 6,500 machines to an upgraded standard image with a 24 hr. turnaround on all deployments. 3. Project included imaging, data transfer, and profile-based application installations for 120 different user profiles. 4. Replaced over 75 systems per day 5. Maintained stringent service level agreements Developed and executed an automated installation process using the Altiris migration tool. Designed and implemented a systems management solution to manage 3,700 PCs. Additionally, Technisource created and deployed a standard operating environment for all machines, developed application packages for standard applications, and designed an automated deployment solution based on user type within Active Directory. Windows migration project management and implementation assistance. The project scope included over ten thousand users across multiple geographic locations. The deployment included numerous airport rental car locations in 41 states and Canada. Using an automated script, Technisource backed up user data on back office machines, replaced the desktop, and restored the data. The decommissioned PCs were centrally located for disposal by the client. Created a new Windows image for both 32 bit and 64 bit platforms. The new image was delivered to approximately 400 machines using the Windows automated installation kit. Assisted this client in developing a complete project plan and executing the rollout to desktop and laptop users across multiple locations. Additionally, Technisource was responsible for upgrading workstation hardware to support the new operating system. Provided a complete Windows solution. The project included the design and implementation of Windows Active Directory, as well as, server and client migrations for their many locations. Additionally, a heterogeneous backup solution was designed and implemented to maintain the ability to service both the clients Windows and UNIX environments. Managed a full deployment of approximately 3,300 campus-based machines and 1700 remote machines. The deployment was performed during business hours for campus users and through a depot-based model for remote machines. Technisource assumed control of the project and upgraded approximately 900 machines over the course of two months. The client now has a standardized, reliable operating system that is fully operational throughout its enterprise. Complete a Windows migration for approximately 1,200 users. Technisource provided the project leader and a team of migration technicians to complete this project successfully.

Manufacturing

Windows migration for a mid-sized manufacturing company in the Chicago area. Because of its previous non-standardized environment, this community colleges IT department regularly needed to install applications by running SETUP from CDs. They also had a limited ability to manage application licenses. Large food products company based in Chicago. Acting on behalf of a major PC manufacturer, Technisource performed a refresh of 3,700 PCs within three months.

Education

In a comparison of the features and benefits of the different types of migration service providers, Technisource unique strengths become apparent.
Retail/Food Products

Comparison of Windows Migration Service Providers

Small, local firms Characteristic Wide variety of skills & experience Sufficient resources for larger and concurrent projects Technology neutral Need to meet product revenue quota Provide both turnkey or project pieces Support migration with whatever tools needed Wide reaching geographic foot print for deployment Big, national consultants Product Providers VARs Technisource

Retail/Car Rental

Healthcare

Large Dallas-based hospital

No

Yes

No

Yes

Yes
Energy Houston-based international energy organization needed to upgrade their users in conjunction with an SAP rollout. San Francisco-based biotech company with numerous locations in the US and London.

No

Using Subcontractors Yes Yes

Using Subcontractors No Yes

Using Subcontractors No Yes

Yes
Biotech

Maybe Yes

Yes No

Finance

International finance organization

Maybe

No

No

No

Yes
Media After several failed attempts from their internal IT department, this Boston-based media organization required a rapid deployment ofWindows to their end users. A subsidiary of a leading chip developer,

No

Yes

No

No

Yes
Communications

No

Using Subcontractors

Using Subcontractors

Using Subcontractors

Yes

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