Top 10 Reasons to Deploy Windows Vista for Small Business

Answers to common questions about Microsoft Windows Vista 2007 for small business. All Covered provides expert local small business computer support for Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista nationwide.

Windows Vista, the newest desktop operating system from Microsoft, is now available for large enterprise customers and will be available for small businesses and consumers at the end of January 2007.

There are many new capabilities within Windows Vista, but we thought we would highlight the top 10 reasons your business might want to upgrade.

1. Increased productivity

• Dramatically improved search capabilities – type in a word and Windows Vista searches email, documents, and their content, folders and applications, regardless of where they reside.
• Simplified user interface – the most widely used features are right at your fingertips. No more searching down several layers of menus to find what you want.
• Tabbed windows in Internet Explorer 7.0 help navigate more easily between sites.

2. Improved security

• Built-in Windows Defender to fight against spyware, malware and other unwanted software.
• The improved built-in firewall prevents unauthorized connection to PCs, thus impeding the spread of viruses or other malware.

3. More security

• User Account Controls help you balance the need for power users to do what they need to do to be productive, while locking down capabilities for those who need fewer privileges.
• While Parental Controls are mainly thought of in a home environment, they can also be used to control access to inappropriate content and sites on the Internet. This can be used in conjunction with Group Policies.

4. Even more security

• BitLocker Drive Encyrption (available in Enterprise or Ultimate Edition) to protect your data in case your PC is lost or stolen.
• The Protected Mode of Internet Explorer mitigates damage to a PC by preventing access to critical areas of the operating system.

5. A better mobile workforce

• Better synchronization across PCs, with PDAs or mobile phones with Windows SyncCenter.
• Easy wireless network and remote access set up capabilities ensure you are not wasting time 'getting connected' when traveling.
• Extend battery life or performance with better power management.

6. Protect and backup your data

• Automatically store versions of files as you work on them using Shadow Copy. You don't have to set up a formal backup scheme or program for this functionality.
• For scheduled backups of your key information, Windows Backup Center allows you to choose the files to backup, where to backup (file server, external device such as CD/DVD/Flash drive), and the frequency in which you backup.

7. Retrieve your data easily

• As a compliment to the easy data backup, retrieving that data is also quick and easy. You can retrieve an earlier version of the file or document you may have accidentally deleted or made changes that you want to undo.

8. Ad-hoc collaboration

• Windows Meeting Space allows you to share information on an ad-hoc basis, so you can start working with new vendors or contractors without waiting for them to have access to your network, just the files you want them to see.

9. Easy deployment and migration

• Integrated suite of tools for easy and quick deployment. Some include:
  • Windows Easy Transfer Wizard helps migrate your information and settings from your old computer to your new computer quickly and easily.
  • Hardware 'agnostic' images can be created, so you save time without having to create images for every different type of hardware you own (Dell, HP, IBM for example.)
  • User State Migration Tool (USMT), BDD, ACT, ORK (don't worry, you don’t need to know the meaning of these acronyms – just know that they will help when you are ready to upgrade and deploy Windows Vista.)

10. Lower total cost of ownership

• Deploying or rolling out a PC with Windows Vista will be cut in half because of the imaging and deployment tools available to administrators.
• 1 + 1 = 3. All the new security, deployment, migration, centralized desktop management, user controls, collaboration and productivity features mean less money to manage your desktops, more productive users and a better bottom line.

As with any major operating system change, you should have a planned approach to the upgrade with these things in mind: hardware readiness, application compatibility, migration and deployment challenges and of course, user training.

All Covered will be hosting a web seminar on the Windows Vista in early February, so stay tuned for more information. Look in the Events area of our web site for more details. With the various versions of Windows Vista, you want to select the appropriate one for your company.

Contact All Covered if you want to learn more about Windows Vista. Let us help you plan for a Windows Vista upgrade, when the time is right.

How All Covered Can Help

If this is an issue for your business, All Covered provides backup consulting and services for small businesses nationwide.

• Call us: For a personal consultation, call our friendly sales team at 866-446-1133
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