resources for your end-users March 26, 2010
Posted by examROAR in Uncategorized.Tags: deployment, planning
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Need a couple of tools to help educate your user populus on Windows 7? Here’s two great sources:
1) Ta-DA! The Official Windows 7 magazine! A how-to for all nifty thing Windows 7 can do to make their life (AND YOURS) easier!
2) ELF! Take a tour of the Enterprise Learning Framework and build a portfolio of helpful tips that will take your students from XP to 7 in 60! The wizard helps you with a strategic timeframe too. What should they expect BEFORE the Win7 deployment? What should they know the day after? What tips would help them a weeks beyond 7-day? Easy to use “collector” wizard packages up a set of links, tips, articles, videos – many are really short- that will show how much you really care about your users.
THINK before you click! (WHY before 7) February 18, 2010
Posted by examROAR in MCITP: Enterprise Desktop Administrator 7 (70-686), MCITP: Windows 7, Enterprise Desktop Support Technician (70-685), Uncategorized.Tags: 70-682, 70-685, 70-686, deployment, planning, Windows 7
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Before planning deployment to Windows 7, consider the WHY. Ask yourself, “why didn’t we move to VISTA” and does this reason still apply?
It’s difficult sometimes to quantify the business value of an operating system– production occurs from the applications! But don’t overlook this and many other questions before moving to Windows 7.
Why? Isn’t Windows 7 the best OS . . . ever? YES! Well, you’re right– I am bit bias– but bias doesn’t help when a project goes sour. Mid-way through your deployment, when resource pressures and business drivers are more than you bargained for, and you’re asking yourself, “Why are we doing this again,” you’ll want something to point to, something to lean on. This is called Business Value! Business Value is the WHY of Windows 7. It identifies OS features that will save and make you $$. (Check out this link for more on Business Value and Windows 7)
Two important steps here: ASK QUESTIONS and MEASURE. You’ll want to find ways to measure the business value. That means gathering some data before you move to Windows 7 so you have an accurate “before” and “after” picture. When the going gets rough, you’ll be able to say to yourself (or whomever 
), this is WHY!
I imagine many come to this blog because they are preparing for a Windows 7 exam such as 70-680 or 70-686. Preparing yourself in the technology is an important step– good luck on your studies! But if you’re also a person of influence in your organization, a decision maker or advisor or subject matter expert, then I hope this post gives you more to think about. As my boss likes to say, THINK before you click!
