IDC research has found that a well-managed environment will consistently outperform an inconsistent or poorly managed environment, delivering better uptime, lower cost of management, fewer help desk calls, and a better end-user experience.

When applied and used properly, advanced management tools will offer a positive return on investment (ROI). For instance, a PC that uses all six Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) solutions can realize annual IT productivity savings as high as $252 USD per year, or a 36 percent reduction in annual cost, compared with a PC that is not using the MDOP suite. End users see a productivity gain as well. Cost savings associated with improved user productivity calculate at an additional $274 USD per PC per year. Together with savings realized by the elimination of third-party software, hardware, and additional software licensing costs ($46 USD per PC per year), these savings can reach a combined total of up to $571 USD per PC per year.

While this requires an initial investment in MDOP, the cost savings associated with improved IT productivity and efficiency include the benefit of accelerating routine tasks such as rolling out new PCs, operating systems, or applications. More stable and reliable PC configurations can reduce recovery and repair activities. And companies can reduce IT labor costs associated with PC deployment and support by automating IT processes, enhancing operational visibility, and providing quicker resolution to PC problems.