An indispensable tool for enterprise-level Windows 7 migration

There are many one-stop tools for migrating from Windows XP to Windows 7, but there are few choices for enterprise customers. Knowledge of product options available in the current enterprise market can improve your VAR value-added dealers) combination.

More system migration guide: Windows Server 2008 R2 upgrade and Migration Guide

Before listing the migration tools from XP to Windows 7 for the enterprise environment, let's take a look at the differences between the available one-stop tools and the enterprise environment migration tools. Solution vendors should know that there are many risks during migration.

This means that before, during, and after the migration process, there is not much space to make mistakes when a large number of users and the size of the general application library are used to maintain the useful access that the working desktop environment must retain when reaching the Enterprise.

For most of them, the biggest problem comes from the large application libraries that enterprises generally maintain for the user base, it is also the biggest consumer of human, program resources, and large Windows XP to Windows 7 migration plans. The main difference between individuals and enterprise applications is that enterprise user authorization is batch authorization. Most desktop applications generally have less than 200, while enterprise applications have between 1000 and 5000, all of which are installed on the computer of the enterprise network.

Processing applications is part of the migration process. First, you need to determine which applications do not have to worry about during the migration process, and which applications need some additional fixes. This is especially true for key applications, self-developed or customized desktop applications. Fixing usually requires a lot of time and effort to program to ensure that applications in Windows XP can run on Windows 7. There are also available alternatives, such as in a Windows XP-based environment, which does not require programming and allows the old code to run in a standard Native Windows 7 environment.

The key to successful migration is how to deal with these applications, which is why analysis and automated remediation measures are important. Table 1 lists products with these features, but it depends on your deep understanding of the customer's environment and comprehensive identification of risks.

Do not forget that analysis and repair are only the first step. The next step is testing and deployment. This often involves different tools. Therefore, some options in the following table must be regarded as complementary rather than competitive. The estimated price depends on the total number of clients and other authorization issues. Generally, the larger the number of clients, the lower the unit price.

Vendor	Name	Type	Price	Note
App-DNA	AppTitude	Analysis and repair	$25 to $50 per client	No automatic deployment function is available. Precise automatic analysis and repair. Provide additional services. Rigorous channel opportunities and applications.
Dell	KACE Kbox	Deployment	$13 to $45 per client	Highly automated deployment. The image structure. No built-in repair function. Available through Dell channels.
Laplink Software Inc.	PCmover Enterprise	Installation and deployment	Minimum $10 per client	Provide additional services. Various channels can be purchased, depending on the location. Simple configuration and automatic migration. You can try it out before purchase.
Microsoft	WAIK and MDOP	Installation and deployment	Free: Microsoft partners and enterprise customers can obtain MDOP free of charge through their authorization. WALK can be downloaded from Microsoft's website for free.	Provide additional services. Many value-added channels. Moderate support for automation.
Prowess	Smart Deploy	Virtual Machine packaging and operating system deployment	Each application $2000; Prowess also provides enterprise-level license authorization, which does not limit the number of applications.	Free hardware image technology. The virtual environment can be intelligently packaged to fix problems when APIs or applications are running. Highly secure deployment technology. Powerful channel cooperation opportunities.
Zinstall	Enterprise Server	Virtual Machine packaging and operating system deployment	Minimum $100 per client	Server-based deployment technology. Create an XP compatible running package by creating a virtual machine. Keep the XP environment intact. The Enterprise Console manages the source and target. Direct and indirect cooperation opportunities with Zinstall or through Lifeboat Distribution.

Table 1: List of migration tools from enterprise-level Windows XP to windows 7

Vendors in Table 1 know the importance of channels when assisting with Enterprise Desktop migration, so they provide different levels of support and encouragement to develop and maintain long-term channel partners. They also provide some forms of direct cooperation opportunities-especially Prowess and Zinstall-as well as basic solutions for some dealers.

The additional service has great potential, only because too many services and support are required throughout the project development scope, implementation, and deployment. Some vendors in Table 1 mentioned that the migration from XP to Windows 7 will bring about value-added sales and service opportunities ranging from 100,000 to millions. Migration of Windows 7 is now in the midst of many enterprise plans, which is indeed a golden opportunity.

Time to upgrade

For many enterprises and organizations, it is a big problem to determine the upgrade time. Driver upgrades often occur in the most common environment.

Manufacturers now do not hesitate to install Windows 7 on new computers to replace Windows XP. Because of this, solution providers are motivated to use the operating systems pre-installed on computers during sales, rather than rebuilding the operating systems as required by customers. Then, use some excellent technologies to attract customers to seriously consider and decide to upgrade, including improving security and reducing system space occupation compared with Windows Vista) provides better support for SSD and other peripherals and enhances the capabilities of remote access and management tools.

Once your customers are willing to migrate, you may help IT staff continue their work during the migration, and for partners of Value-Added distributors on the migration project ), if they understand and understand the project goals, daily work, and the tools and technologies they use to deploy Windows 7 computers, they are more likely to provide a successful migration experience.