Automating processes to optimize a Windows 7 deployment

Most organizations skipped the migration to Windows Vista. However, IDC expects around 20 percent of enterprises to adopt Windows 7 within the first 12 months of its release, and another 40 percent to upgrade within 12 to 48 months. The reason: IDC estimates that the average cost of deployment activities is $527 per PC, but can go as high as $700 or more depending on the time spent by IT staff and users. That is roughly 20 to 40 percent of the cost of the PC. Reducing the cost of deployment will significantly reduce the total cost of ownership — especially in combination with cost-saving features in Microsoft Windows 7.