Chapter 1: What is User Workspace Management?

Today's computing environments are growing more complex every day. Just a few years ago, the standard was one computer for every employee. But with today's operating system upgrades, remote application infrastructures, VPN connections, desktop sharing, and hosted virtual desktops, a user's personal computer isn't all that personal any more. One central problem with this ever-widening architecture is in maintaining the user's workspaces - the personal bits and pieces that make a computing environment comfortable for...read more

Complete Series: Automation Tools for Windows 7 Migration

Considering a migration to Windows 7? Without the right tools, it might be harder than you think. What many administrators don't recognize is that the central hurdle in migrating to Windows 7 lies not in actually installing its bits to your hardware. Much more challenging are the activities that surround the install. There are seven key migration activities that must occur to be successful with a Windows 7 migration, all of which you'll learn about...read more

Chapter 2: Using Teleworking for a Greener, More Efficient Government

In this chapter, we'll review some of the trends and business process changes that are driving the implementation of teleworking solutions in the government sector. Three specific areas of interest are noteworthy: shrinking budgets, growth and acceptance of teleworking, and environmental considerations....read more

Chapter 4: Effective Asset Management

In tough economic times, having an effective service management strategy can be the difference between surviving, and while I won't say thriving, at least maintaining a competitive edge. By closely aligning IT and business operations and goals, organizations can extract more value from their current infrastructure, keep costs low, and yet still provide the necessary value to their customers, both internal and external. A critical element of any such strategy is effective asset management. Effective...read more

Chapter 5: Communicating the Hidden Value of IT

As technology workers, we all face the challenge of IT being perceived as a cost center: The work is all done in other departments, and IT provides the tools to make that work easier, faster, and more efficient. Communicating the results of any IT project back to the business can be considered a phase of the project life cycle. However, transforming the role of IT requires constant communication. Technology is a means to make work...read more