Delivering Business Value With Windows

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Delivering Business Valuewith Windows

February 2007

– Ganesh Bhat, Infosys & Omer Qureshi, Microsoft

Secure. Empowered. Connected.

IT executives worldwide are under constant pressure to identify and advisemethods to enhance employee productivity, achieve operational agility and reducecosts. This mandate has software industry leaders, IT architects and decisionmakers pushing the envelope to devise ways to increase operational efficienciesand cut total cost of ownership. This must be accomplished while dealing withregulatory and security concerns and maintaining consistently high levels of customer satisfaction and stringent SLAs. Microsoft’s Windows Vista can helpachieve these objectives.

Windows Vista delivers significant value to companies by addressing criticalbusiness scenarios in several ways. It empowers people by making it easy for themto find, share, and use information. With its enhanced connectivity features, it enables mobile and remote workers to stay connected and productive anywhere,anytime. Windows Vista also addresses growing security threats by helping

protect data in and out of office, securing the environment and making it easier toachieve compliance with government regulations and internal policies. Finally, it makes it easier to deploy, manage, and support integrated desktop environment by

helping optimize the desktop infrastructure. Windows Vista provides enhanced productivity, mobility and security benefits at a far lower total cost of ownership(TCO).



Introduction

In a flat world, competitive threats no longer come only from the same industry segment of a localeconomy. New competition today comes from dozens of other industries and economies across geographiesthat offer significant advantages in cost and quality of talent. In order to achieve growth in the face of competitive threats and business risks, IT departments across the globe face new and daunting challenges.The onslaught of security threats, breaches and data theft, the rising cost of data center management,creeping application support, and deployment cost are some of these concerns.

Industry and IT decision makers, meanwhile, continue to push the limits of existing technologies like neverbefore, with end users demanding more in terms of productivity, quality and delivery of service.Microsoft‘s vision of Dynamic Systems and the prescriptive guidelines of Infrastructure Optimization

equip organizations to deal with these challenges head on.

Overview - Infrastructure Optimization (IO)

Microsoft‘s Infr astructure Optimization initiative arms IT decision makers in their efforts to win the war ontotal cost of ownership (TCO) of IT infrastructure. IT Infrastructure is a strategic asset and the criticalfoundation upon which software can deliver services and user applications for businesses to operateeffectively and successfully.

For many organizations, growth and rapid development of new technologies have resulted in highlycomplex, inflexible and difficult to manage data centers and desktop infrastructure. In addition, the costsinvolved are not only high but also fixed regardless of changing business requirements.

The Infrastructure Optimization Model from Microsoft has been developed using industry best practices,Microsoft‘s experience with its enterp rise customers, and analyst work.

A key goal for Microsoft in creating the Infrastructure Optimization Model was to develop a simple way touse a flexible maturity framework that can easily be used as the benchmark for technical capability andbusiness value. The model has four stages – Basic, Standardized, Rationalized, and Dynamic. Each stagehas specific workloads or capabilities.

The Infrastructure Optimization Model from Microsoft helps customers understand and improve the currentstate of their IT infrastructure in terms of cost, security risk and operational agility.

Significant cost savings can be realized by moving from an unmanaged environment toward a dynamicenvironment. Security improves from highly vulnerable with Basic infrastructure, to dynamically proactivewith a more optimized infrastructure. IT Infrastructure Management changes from being highly manual andreactive to highly automated and proactive.

Microsoft and its partners can provide the technologies, processes and methodologies to help customersmove ahead on their infrastructure optimization journey. The process moves from a fragmented or non-existent state to being optimized and repeatable. The ability of organizations to use technology to improvetheir business agility and deliver business value increases as they evolve from the Basic state to a Dynamicstate empowering information workers, managers and supporting new business opportunities.



Working with Microsoft and leveraging this model as a framework, an enterprise can quickly understandthe strategic value and business benefits to the organization in moving from a Basic level of maturity(where the IT infrastructure is generally considered a ―cost center‖) toward a Dynamic state. At this stage,

the organization gets a clear picture of the business value of the IT infrastructure and sees it as a strategicbusiness asset and business enabler.

TCO Benefits and Business Agility

Infrastructure Optimization provides prescriptive guidelines that are technology and vendor-neutral. Itenables IT decision-makers to curb the cost of manageability while raising service levels and enhancing thebusiness agility of the organization.

According to a recent study 1 , organizations that follow IO guidelines and certain best practices of infrastructure deployment and management have achieved significant agility and lower TCO. There is alsocorrelation between an organization‘s ability to standardize Core Infrastructure components and TCO

savings 2 .

Table 1 shows that IT labor costs can be driven down by adopting best practices with PCs running currentversions of the Windows client OS and systems management software 3 . Key focus areas forstandardization are desktop and server deployment, security directories, application distribution and userprovisioning as well as entitlement framework such as Group Policies for management and security.

While the desktop operating system plays a role in reducing TCO, the primary source of savings are IT process improvements. An operating system‘s contribution t o this comes from features that make it easierto adopt new best practices. Key features of Windows Vista along with advanced Group Policy make iteasy to adapt these best practices. Infosys has designed and developed tools and process whichcompliments op erating system‘s features and helps in adapting and automating these best practices.

Infosys‘ one stop Accelerated Deployment Solution, part of Catalytic IT suite, enables cost effective,predictable and customized transition to new Windows technologies like Windows Vista. In addition,Infosys uses proven toolsets and methodologies which will help in adapting best practices, resulting inreduced TCO. Tools include:

- Automated discovery of inventory components across multiple platforms- Defined methodology and tools to accelerate application rationalization and packaging and

distribution process- Scanning tools for Microsoft Office files to assess effort required for remediation and tools to

accelerate remediation- Workflow-enabled dashboard to track complete deployment status

- Desktop Migration Tool



IT Best Practices 4, 5, 6 Potential Cost

Savings per year

Standard desktop strategy $110

Single syst em management tool $110

Centrally managed PC settings and configurations $190

Centrally managed PC applications $70

PCs managed by Group Policy Objects $120

Comprehensive PC security $130

Use of packaging tools with automated software distribution $120

Automated user provisioning $50

Comprehensive directory solut ion $120

Reduction of third-party application directories $90

Table 1: IT best practice s and potential cost savings.

Windows Vista for lower TCO

Table 2 1, describes distribution of costs for an organization spending $4,500 per PC per year. IT labor is alogical place to reduce costs because it directly affects the IT budget and can be reduced by improving ITprocesses and adopting best practices.

An organization‘s IT labor costs are determined by its:

– Level of IT i nfrastructure optimization, which contributes 54% of IT costs – Industry, which contributes 34% of IT costs –

Size, which contributes 12% of IT costs





Windows Vista provides flexible support for a variety of deployment scenarios including remoteinstallations and in-place upgrades like light touch installation using WDS, Zero touch installation usingSMS and BDD 2007.

• Windows Automated Installation Kit (WAIK): A new set of deployment tools, WAIK helps create,manage and automate deployment of Windows Vista images.

• Windows Imaging Format (WIM): A file-based imaging format, WIM enables a single image to bedeployed to different types of computer hardware with different language requirements.

• Modularization: Windows Vista is built with separate but inter-dependent components, which makesit easier to customize Windows Vista to a certain degree for user and organizational needs. It alsosimplifies adding optional components such as device drivers, testing and installing updates, andadding languages.

Security and Compliance

Windows Vista helps keep systems secure and organizations compliant with internal policies andgovernment regulations.

• Advancements in managing user accounts in Windows Vista can help dramatically with improvingsecurity. Companies today face a difficult trade-off: Do they deploy their PC users as administratorsand accept the high security risk, or do they limit the privileges of their users but deal with impacton productivity when users need to connect to a printer or install a new application? Windows VistaUser Account Control capability helps reduce the attack surface area of corporate PCs withoutimpacting user productivity.

• Some of the other critical advancements in Windows Vista to help with security and compliance:

Enhanced online security with the Windows Vista Browser Protected Mode and anti-phishingfeatures that help protect end user data; Windows Services Hardening to make the OS more resilientto attacks. Additionally, granular event logging, auditing and tracking for security events inWindows Vista make it easier for companies to achieve compliance with both internal policies aswell as government regulations.

• BitLocker Drive Encryption protects confidential corporate information on mobile PCs. BitLockernot only helps protect the data on local laptops and desktops but also lowers the cost of refurbishinga PC.

Empowered Professional With corporate data growing exponentially, Windows Vista allows users to find, use and share data andramp up productivity with smart tools to organize information.

• Search, organize and information visualization tools in Windows Vista help users get to critical datafaster. Powerful integrated search capabilities in Vista can save companies precious man-hours byhelping employees find just about anything on their PC or Intranet quickly and easily. New live



icons give users ability to clearly preview documents and go directly to the item they need – resulting in time savings and increased user productivity.

• Other features of Windows Vista that improve user productivity include user interface, WindowsAero, new ways to navigate the windows on the desktop helping users quickly find what they arelooking, SuperFetch and ReadyBoost technologies for high-performance systems, and browserenhancements that make users more productive online.

Enable Mobile Workforce

People can be more productive if they can work in different places and with other people without physicalboundaries. It is this driver that is taking mobile computing mainstream. Industry research has concludedthat mobile computers can improve employee productivity and generate positive ROI.

• To help address the security risks of mobile computing, Windows Vista includes the latest wirelesssecurity protocols enabling users to connect to WiFi networks more securely. Network Access

Protection used with ‗Longhorn‘ Server infrastructure ensures that computers are in a secure statebefore they are allowed to reconnect to the network, preventing them from spreading a virus insidethe organizational network perimeter.

• BitLocker Drive Encryption in Windows Vista Enterprise protects confidential company data on lostor stolen laptops because the contents of the hard drive will be protected even if it falls into thewrong hands.

• Windows Vista is optimized to work especially well on mobile hardware. The new WindowsMobility Center puts all of the most commonly used controls all in one place — such as battery,brightness and presentation settings. Improved power management helps the battery last longer andthe PC revive quicker from ‗sleep‘ mode.

The Infosys approach to Vista Deployment

The best technologies and tools are not enough to ensure a successful end state. It requires investing in bestpractices and guidance to standardize and produce repeatable and scalable deployment solutions. Infosysleverages new technologies and tools to provide customers a consistent methodology and prescriptiveguidance across all phases of deployment based on Microsoft MOF/MSF and BDD.

Infosys’ Accel erate solution delivers seamless end-to-end Microsoft Solutions for enterprise needs – fromenvisioning, readiness assessment, design of the integrated environment, application rationalization, anddistribution to global remote touch deployments. It also provides effective support by monito ring the healthof connected business desktop systems. It helps enhance the utility of business desktops through bettercollaboration, search capabilities and improved business efficiency. While reducing TCO, it helps enhancemanageability through refinement in processes, IT systems management and supporting infrastructure likeAD, distribution, etc. The solution also proposes Windows Vista Application Compatibility Factory (ACF)to provide a comprehensive and accelerated compatibility testing methodology for migrating applications



to Windows Vista. All programs are equipped with a deployment dashboard to monitor and track deployments and provide a central repository for program artifacts.

Solution Highlights:

Infosys‘ Accelerate solution provides a cost -effective, predictable and customized transition to WindowsVista. Accelerate enables customers to move their desktop and associated infrastructure from a ‗basic‘ level

of optimization where the infrastructure is considered a cost center to a ‗rationalized‘ and ‗dynamic‘ level

of optimization where it becomes a business growth enabler and a strategic business asset.

The Infosys GADC ensures effective and efficient utilization of resources. This coupled with effectiveplanning and best practices in design enables a lower overall cost of operations.

The Accelerate solution has won credibility from Microsoft which has endorsed Infosys as one of its five

worldwide partners in this space. The solution provides:

• A proven end-to-end approach addressing migration challenges from vision to handover ensuringeffective utilization of business desktop systems and leading to enhanced efficiency

• Utilization of unique Infosys methodologies and tool-sets to reduce program complexity andautomate the migration process resulting in accelerated deployment and lower TCO



• An elaborate planning phase to capture business / user requirements and develop a strategy forautomated deployment and a standardized operating environment

• Seamless delivery of planning and execution, including remote deployment and rigorous testing,with minimal disruption to end-users and the business

• Advantages of mature Global Delivery Model, Global Accelerated Deployment Center (GADC) andextensive experience in deploying Microsoft technologies in complex environments

• An approach that is based on international best practices and frameworks including IT InfrastructureLibrary (ITIL), Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF), Microsoft Operations Framework (MOF)and Microsoft Business Desktop Deployment (BDD) Methodology

• An approach to quick and fail-safe desktop migrations, client image engineering, applicationpackaging, office migration, infrastructure design and deployment, and desktop deployment

Solution Benefits

Comprehensive – Solution addresses the integrated desktop environment – Desktop infrastructure – readiness and refresh; AD infrastructure – design and deployment; Operations infrastructure – integration of SMS/MOM and related products; Application infrastructure – packaging/sequencing and deployment.

Accelerated – The solution incorporates a mature methodology and automation to ensure comprehensivecoverage and reduce rework and manual efforts enhancing productivity. Through the unique GADC model,Infosys‘ global team across geographie s enables accelerated deployment.

Managing Complexity – Infosys‘ best practices methodology based on ITIL, and its Project Management

body of knowledge along with a successful record in managing large deployment programs, minimizesdisruptions to critical support systems and user downtimes. The impacted areas are analyzed, planned andmanaged through deployment. This ensures that organizations have a smooth and predictable deploymentexperience.

Lower TCO – The Infosys GADC ensures effective and efficient utilization of resources. Coupled witheffective planning and best practices in design, it achieves lower overall cost of operations.

Extended Operational Support – Infosys‘ Service Level Agreement (SLA) based approach from the

GADC ensures that customers receive complete support during as well as after deployment.

The Infosys Advantage

Tools and Methodologi es

In addition to Microsoft toolkits, customers can leverage Infosys‘ proven toolsets and methodologies l ike:

• Automated discovery of inventory components across multiple platforms including Windows 9xmachines

• Defined methodology and tools to accelerate application rationalization and packaging process



• Scanning tools for Microsoft office files for remediation to assess efforts required for remediationand employ tools to accelerate remediation

• Workflow enabled dashboard to track the deployment status. The dashboard also serves as aprogram repository for all artifacts

Vista CoE

Infosys has established a Windows Vista Center of Excellence to concentrate on customizing and buildingappropriate frameworks and tools to ease Vista deployment challenges for organizations

Appli cation Compatibi li ty Factory (ACF)

Application compatibility is one the most important challenges faced by organizations deploying newoperating systems. Infosys‘ ACF is designed to provide the necessary expertise and reduce the pain points

for compatibility and remediation of applications

For Global 2000 corporations planning to migrate to Windows Vista, Infosys‘ Vista Application

Compatibility Factory provides a comprehensive, cost-effective and accelerated approach to applicationcompatibility testing and remediation with minimal business disruption. The solution leverages proventools, techniques and best practices developed by Inf osys‘ Vista Center of Excellence (CoE). The Vista

CoE has created award winning deployment solutions on the Microsoft platform adopted by customersacross the world.

Infosys‘ services provide end -to-end solutions for the corporate desktop application landscape fromapplication inventory to deployment/ support:

Assessment – Through Infosys‘ Organization Maturity Level Assessment, the maturity level of the

customer‘s infrastructure and the compatibility testing entry point is determined. A planned approach toapplication compatibility assessment provides clarity on deployment timelines and cost.



Application Rationalization – An inventory of applications across the enterprise is built using Infosys‘

proven tools, recommendation of application rationalization based on various parameters. Rationalizing of applications will significantly reduce the number of applications to be tested and remedied.

Application Testing Infrastructure – This entails developing test cases, designing and installing test bedsbased on real-time scenarios. Infosys has designed and developed robust and real-time based test casescenarios which can be customized for each organization‘s environment.

Compatibility Testing – This involves performing various types of testing for application compatibility likebaseline testing, target environment testing, Install/Uninstall testing, GUI and functional testing.

Remediation solutions – Application mitigation recommendations and solutions are provided forapplication implementation in new target environment. Defect tracking mechanisms ensure a reduction intime taken for mitigation solutions

Lower cost and an accelerated testing time cycle are achieved by using shared application compatibilitydatabase.

Application Packaging – Applications tested for compatibility are sent for application packaging.Interoperability of test environment and packaging infrastructure ensures cost benefits.

Deployment/Support – Windows Vista Competency Center is based on the Infosys Global Delivery Model,leveraging geographical and time-zone differences for an accelerated deployment. Infosys also supportsapplication upgrades.

Conclusion

A move to Windows Vista clearly provides definitive business value and operational efficiencies to reduceTCO and labor cost for organizations. The new features of Windows Vista equips IT organizationsworldwide with the essential tools to meet ever-increasing business challenges and transform IT from a costcenter to business enabler.

Organizations choosing the right migration strategy and tools can reduce operational costs associated withsuch a move. In line with organizational needs, the right level of infrastructure optimization can provideenhanced benefits, cost reductions, and business agility. Windows Vista enables companies to empoweremployees, optimize desktop infrastructure, help the mobile workforce function effectively, and increasesecurity and compliance.

Windows Vista technology combined with Infosys ‗Accelerate‘ solution can help organizations move to a

higher level of infrastructure optimization with a better managed environment for easier and faster

adoption.

About the Authors:

Ganesh Bhat is a Senior Consultant and is part of the platform solutions team within the SystemIntegration practice at Infosys. He has over 14 years of experience in systems and network operations,implementation, strategic system design and integration, technical consulting and pre-sales activities.



Omer Qureshi is a Technology Development Manager (TDM) with the Microsoft Enterprise PartnerGroup (EPG). He is responsible for core infrastructure optimization technical strategy and solutionsdevelopment for global systems integrators. Omer has over 12 years of experience in the field of ITinfrastructure, network and security management. He holds several advance industry certifications such asMCP, MCSA, MCSE, CCDA, PMP, BEA & Security+.

Bibliography

1 Barna, William, Microsoft. Infrastructure Optimization: Driving Down Costs of the Business Desktop, 20062 ―Infrastruc ture Optimization: Driving Down Costs o f the Busines s Desktop.‖ Microsoft Corporation , April 2006

3 Current Windows software is defined as any version of the Windows client OS released before Windows Vista. Systemsmanagement software profiled in Microsoft and IDC studies includes the Active Directory® service of Windows Server 2003 andMicrosoft Systems Management Server 2003.

4 IDC White Paper spons ored by Micros oft, Optimizing Infrastructure: The Relationship Between IT Labor Costs and BestPractices for Identity and Acces s Management with Active Directory, Doc #204221, November 2006

5 IDC White Paper spons ored by Micros oft, Optimizing Infrastructure: The Relationship Between IT Labor Costs and BestPractices for Managing the Windows Desktop Doc #203482, October 2006

6 IDC White Paper sp ons ored by Micros oft, Optimizing Infrastructure: The Relations hip Between IT Labor Costs and BestPractices for Syst ems Management Server Doc #205110, January 2007

7 Source: Barna, William, Microsoft. Infrastruct ure Optimization: Driving Down Costs of the Busines s Desktop, 2006

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