When you think about migrating a user or a group of users from Windows XP to Windows 7, or perhaps replacing an existing build with a new build, the task at hand can be complicating for an administrator and completely annoying for end users. One question we should all be asking, is there software we can use to seamlessly migrate user specific and customized settings automatically without risking the loss of data and consuming way too much time? And then have the settings seamlessly pushed to the new OS/build or virtual machine from one central location…
Prior to an OS, user migration, or virtualization initiative there are several very important factors one would want to take into consideration before investing capital in software, people, time and/or processes. In this day and age, it’s not uncommon to have to deal with stretched IT resources and finances and elevated pressures from management. We need to be smart and use all available tools and resources to the best of our advantage as we push towards a more standard and repeatable approach to OS, user migrations, and virtualization. Especially with the onslaught of virtual entities and virtual machines, processes and infrastructure. One proven way to reduce TCO (total cost of ownership) with migration initiatives is by leveraging industry proven automation software which seamlessly provides the needed functionality all while decreasing time, and efforts spent on each user migration.
Now with the above in mind, what do we want to automate as we prepare for our OS migrations and user virtualization initiatives? Here are some settings one would want to migrate, with the overall goal of making the job easier for technicians and completely minimizing end user frustration. With user virtualization and OS migration software from SlyAdmin, these settings are already preconfigured and ready to use out of the box. A fine combination between customization and automation is what we all want to achieve in any initiative.
Out of the box, here is what you can do with SlyAdmin user virtualization and Operating system migration software.
- Capture custom settings:
- Capture and migrate registry, and files
- Seamlessly migrate application specific and custom application settings (market data, spreadsheets, macros, etc.).
- Migrate Lotus Notes and Database specific settings…
- Migrate custom applications, and homegrown applications.
- Capture, store and migrate user relevant Microsoft Office settings (97,2000, 2007, 2010).
- User specific customizations, color schemes, and preferences.
- Localized outlook customizations (pst files, contacts, etc.).
- Capture and migrate user relevant OS properties
- Theme settings, desktop colors and customizations.
- Window appearance and user defined schemes.
- Internet Explorer customizations
- Capture favorites and taskbar settings
- IE certificates
- Seamless Mobile Device Migrations and synchronization
- Capture and migrate Active sync settings.
- capture and migrate Blackberry (RIM) configurations.
- iPhone/iPad and iTunes customizations and settings.
