Balancing the needs of end users and IT
Organizations look to their people to drive business success, and to the information technology (IT) department to build and manage an infrastructure that supports and enables people to be successful in their jobs. Often, these expectations create a natural tension between end users, who want the flexibility to support a dynamic work environment, and an IT department that needs greater control and manageability.
The solution to this challenge is an "Optimized Desktop" infrastructure. An Optimized Desktop describes a state in which your organization has attained the right balance in its desktop infrastructure—empowering employees with the flexibility they need to be productive, while providing IT the necessary level of control, manageability, and security.
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Windows 7 is what a modern managed desktop should be. It helps us increase productivity, reduce costs, and provide enhanced desktop
security.
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On the business side, both IT and business executives want to help make people productive anywhere. Workers need seamless access 24/7 to the services and systems that are necessary for their jobs, and a familiar user experience to help them stay productive. Many businesses today require workers to have global, flexible, and reliable access to the corporate network and applications. IT departments need to design infrastructure to guarantee uptime, reduce issues, and enable more self-help. Further, they must design for diverse needs and quickly resolve problems. Learn more about five scenarios for enabling workers to be successful in their jobs with Microsoft desktop solutions.
Cost is also a major issue. More now than ever, your company may be under intense pressure to reduce costs while increasing efficiencies. Whether it’s reducing overall IT budgets; determining automated ways to deploy, track, and manage; or guaranteeing no work stoppages—the need for a better managed IT is present and growing. Discover ways to gain cost savings for your organization.
Managing risk by enhancing security is important. IT needs to protect data from loss, theft, and online attacks. It also needs to improve compliance based on legislative and industry mandates, in addition to internal policy. The responsibility for ensuring a safe network environment can be daunting. Not only must companies protect sensitive data from varying intrusions, they must do so while allowing authorized users access to data and connections. Meanwhile, adherence to corporate security policies and federal regulations are required. Find out about the security enhancements in the Windows 7 operating system that help organizations manage this risk.
For more detail on the Optimized Desktop, download the datasheet.
Creating a dynamic IT organization
Critical to success in achieving an Optimized Desktop is a roadmap that defines and prioritizes concrete steps to advancement. Working with industry analysts, Microsoft has identified four "maturity levels," from Basic to Dynamic (see below), that help enterprises move gradually toward turning their IT investments from being a part of a cost center into strategic assets for the business.
For more detail on Optimized Desktop products, download the product guide.