I started at VMware nearly 4 years ago. Back then, getting a company laptop was an all-day adventure. IT took several hours to image my laptop and several more to configure all the settings and applications for my role. In fact, some admins on our IT team used to spend 3-out-of-5 days a week just setting up devices for new hires—a fulltime job for three people. Now, only a few years later, everything is much simpler and faster. New VMware employees:
- Receive a new Windows 10 device;
- Enter their corporate credentials; and
- Are up and running in minutes.
Like our IT team and users here at VMware, our customers are clearly excited about what Windows 10 offers. We hear questions and feedback from thousands of companies in early stages of implementing or planning their journey to Microsoft’s “last operating system.”
As more customers make the move to Windows 10, we realized there was a need to provide a collective learning resource for you and others exploring Windows 10. We also want to provide visibility into how we directly incorporate your feedback into our products.
Introducing the Redmond Video Series: Episode 1
By taking a modern management approach, you have the exciting opportunity to change the way your organization deploys and manages Windows 10. In the first episode of our new video series, we help you learn exactly what this new management approach means to you and your team:
- What Makes Windows 10 Different
- Challenges with Legacy Management Tools
- Opportunities with a New Management Model
- How Organizations Move from POC to Production
- How to Handle Legacy Applications
- Biggest Takeaway for Organizations Migrating to Windows 10
Watch the video below to dive in:
Over the next few months, we’ll dive deeper into the top issues customers like you have about the modern Windows 10 journey. From enrollment to software distribution and patch management, our experts will share tips and tricks to help make deployments more successful.
Getting Started with Windows 10
The opportunity with the new management framework in Windows 10 is enormous. Unlike previous versions, Windows 10 represents a new way to:
1. Improve the experience for users.
2. Modernize the management workflow for IT.
3. Reduce costs for businesses overall.
Windows 10 is a major change in the way we manage endpoints, such as mobile device management (MDM) APIs, Windows Update as a Service, Universal apps and more. Because of this paradigm shift, the traditional management model starts to fall apart as users work more and more off company networks.
To accommodate these changes, organizations typically take one of two approaches to get to Windows 10: a full migration or a hardware refresh. To determine the right path, we recommend customers start with this free assessment of their existing desktop deployments. The tool helps customers understand the best model to deploy Windows 10 based on hardware capability, cost, security and end-user behavior. For example, some devices or use cases might be better suited for:
- A full hardware refresh;
- In-place migration and management using a unified endpoint management solution; or
- A virtual environment.
Click here to access the free Windows 10 assessment tool.
Answering the Biggest Questions Facing Our Customers
Customers often ask me how to move from POC to production. They see the vision for how a modern management approach can impact their business across all enterprise scenarios. After taking the assessment, I like to encourage them to start small.
With all the changes and opportunities with Windows 10, customers should identity a use case that does not work well with their existing PCLM tool, such as traveling sales teams or executives. IT then has the proof points needed for management and business partners. Once they see the benefits, they expand to other use cases, such as branch offices, where the value really opens up.
Free Download: Definitive Guide to Windows 10 Management
The other major question I get is around Win32 apps. While the management framework in Windows 10 is similar to iOS and Android, one of the biggest differences is Win32 apps. These apps are typically much larger than mobile apps, which creates network strain. They also often have additional complexities, such as .net dependencies and libraries, which can prevent apps from successfully installing if not configured correctly.
With VMware, customers can deploy Win32 apps—including EXE and MSIs with or without MSTs and MSPs. Customers can also virtualize applications incompatible with Windows 10, require unique dependencies or need additional graphic power unsupported by current end-user devices.
Are you currently in the midst of a Windows 10 deployment and tackling two of the questions above? Leave us a comment with your biggest questions or insights. Our experts will respond directly and even cover your question in upcoming episodes.
To learn more about how VMware can help with your Windows 10 deployment, watch this demo:
