5. What We Are Announcing New KACE Appliances reduce cost & complexity of Windows 7 Migration New features automate full migration process Appliance-based approach provides more rapid and cost effective migration
6. The Need for Windows 7 Migration 59% of businesses do not use automation 83% of businesses will skip Vista No MS support for in-place XP to Win 7 upgrade KACE survey, Apr 2009
12. Summary KACE has simplified the Windows 7 migration process with a number of key new features in its latest product releases KACE empowers organizations that need an efficient way of moving directly from Windows XP to Windows 7 in order to minimize IT costs and end-user downtime. KACE’s appliance-based approach allows you to rapidly deploy and enable its Windows 7 migration solution.
Three Key drivers have led to the current need for an efficient Windows 7 migration tool. First, 83% of businesses will skip MS Vista and jump directly from XP to windows 7 according at a KACE survey. Second, There is no Microsoft support for an in-place XP to Windows 7 upgrade--They can’t simply insert a Windows 7 CD into a Windows XP machine and have the machine upgrade. This means that organizations have to execute clean installations to make the transition. Third, a majority of businesses, 59% according to a KACE survey, don’t use tools to automate operations—the market clearly needs a Windows 7 migration solution.
Organizations face a number of key challenges to execute a Windows 7 migration. First, they need to ensure that the operating system is compatible with their existing software. Next, they need to make sure that their hardware meets the minimum system requirements of Windows 7. And third, since organizations have to execute clean installations rather than in-place upgrades to transition directly from XP to Windows 7, they need to retain valuable user-specific information. Gartner estimates this amounting to $1,035 to $1,930 in migration costs per user.
In order to overcome these challenges and have a successful and efficient windows 7 migration, it’s important for organizations to look at the entire windows 7 migration process. Windows 7 migration includes much more than just the deployment of the operating system. It consists of analyzing inventory readiness, migrating user states, distributing software and patches, application virtualization, and ongoing management of assets.
The latest releases of KACE appliances offer new capabilities and benefits that result in a faster, less expensive, and more reliable windows 7 migration. User State MigrationDeploy user-specific files and settings along with an operating system and applications, reducing the risk of losing critical informationK-imagingEditable imaging format eliminates redundant transfers in capture, storage, and deployment of imagesNetwork OS InstallAutomates the buildout of Gold Master images and provides a hardware independent deployment solution.Inventory AssessmentMonitor machines for Windows 7 readinessAsset ManagementTrack Windows 7 operating system and software license compliancePatch ManagementDeploy relevant Windows 7 patches to machines on local and remote networksApplication VirtualizationKeep Windows 7 deployment “fresh” and free from potential application conflicts
KACE differentiates itself in the market place with a number of key advantages in its Windows 7 migration solution. The KACE appliance-based approach allows for rapid deployment and minimal training. You simply have to plug the KACE appliance into your network and it’s good to go. KACE utilizes a single user interface that allows you to execute all the steps involved in a Windows 7 migration from an intuitive web-based console. And finally, rather than focusing on just the installation of Windows 7, KACE optimizes the entire Windows 7 migration process.
The pricing and availability for the latest releases of KACE appliances is as follows.
