IT Connection Newsletter: Number 6
Progent's Certified Experts Offer
Microsoft Windows 8 Upgrade and Consulting Support
Windows 8 includes headline features such touch-screen support and a new tile-based Start interface, but Microsoft's latest client operating system also introduces less conspicuous yet significant improvements such as more built-in security, faster startup, enhanced cloud support, better synchronization, and client virtualization. Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you evaluate the business benefits related to upgrading existing PCs to Windows 8 or adding new Windows 8 clients to your network.
Windows 8 includes headline features such touch-screen support and a new tile-based Start interface, but Microsoft's latest client operating system also introduces less conspicuous yet significant improvements such as more built-in security, faster booting, expanded connectivity, enhanced cloud support, fault-tolerant storage, better synchronization, advanced backup/recovery, more powerful search, lower power consumption, and client virtualization.
Predictably, some of these enhancements come with a cost. Incorporating Windows 8 into a business network may require that you reconfigure your remote access environment, modify your security scheme, update or replace applications and utilities, and retrain users.
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you evaluate the business benefits and engineering challenges related to upgrading existing PCs to Windows 8 or adding new Windows 8 clients to your network. Progent can help you to resolve problems encountered during the process of upgrading to Windows 8, adjust your remote connectivity environment and your network infrastructure as needed, redesign your IT security strategy to take full advantage of the security enhancements built into Windows 8, recommend new desktop management procedures in order to simplify administration of all your Windows 8 clients, and provide customized webinar training sessions to bring your IT management staff and your end users up to speed quickly on Windows 8.
For larger organizations, Progent's project managers can help set up test labs to evaluate Windows 8 and design and execute Windows 8 desktop migration plans based on leading practices.
New Features of Windows 8
Windows 8 includes many new features that address a variety of customers ranging from gamers to workstation power users. Many of these features are designed to improve the usefulness and manageability of Windows-based smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Professional and Enterprise versions of Windows 8 have important features that enhance the productivity of users working with mainstream business applications.
These new capabilities, when combined with the latest computer hardware, offer big advantages over previous releases of Windows and should be factored into any ROI calculation. High-value innovations incorporated in Windows 7 include:
- UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface)
- Client Hyper-V Virtualization
- Storage Spaces
- Windows To Go
- Native Support for USB 3.0
- Improved Multiple Monitor Support
- High Performance File Explorer (to replace Windows Explorer)
- File History
- Support for Near Field Communications (NFC)
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you follow leading practices in deploying Windows 8 in a production system. For large-scale Windows 8 desktop rollouts, Progent's methodology is one that has proven effective in Windows 7 migrations. This is process is centered on automating the capture and replication of standardized images of operating systems, drivers, and core applications to be deployed in various business groups and a wide range of work environments.
By using Microsoft's advanced deployment tools for Windows 8, Progent can help you achieve a high degree of automation during the rollout process, thereby avoiding the delays and mistakes that often accompany a manual deployment. Progent can help companies with any phase of a Windows 8 rollout and also offers project management services to help you complete your migration on time and within budget.
To control costs, save time, and minimize engineering risk for large-scale migrations, Progent uses Microsoft's deployment automation tools provided with the Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK). These tools include Windows System Image Manager (Windows SIM) to create custom baseline images, Deployment Imaging Servicing and Management Tool (DISM) for editing existing images, Application Compatibility Toolkit (ACT) for uncovering compatibility issues, User State Migration Tool (USMT) for migrating the personal data of individual users, and Volume Activation Management Toolkit (VAMT) for centralized activation management.
For additional information about Progent's consulting services for Windows 8, see Progent's Windows 8 Integration Services for Windows 8.
Contact Progent About Windows 8 Support
To find out more about Progent's Windows 8 integration and support services, call Progent at
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24x7 Microsoft ISA Server Technology Consulting
24/7/365 Support Microsoft ISA Server
Progent's Microsoft certified professionals offer small and midsize businesses expertise for Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway and ISA Servers. Microsoft's Forefront TMG and Internet Security and Acceleration Servers include an advanced application-layer aware firewall that can secure your IT network from attack by external and internal sources. Forefront Threat Management Gateway and ISA Server provide thorough inspection of Internet protocols such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol, which enables these security platforms to uncover many attacks that can get by traditional firewalls. The integrated firewall and VPN architecture of Forefront TMG and ISA Server support stateful filtering and inspection of all VPN traffic. ISA Servers are the centerpiece of Microsoft's system security initiative, and Progent's Microsoft-certified engineers and CISSP, CISA and CISM certified security professionals can help you strengthen your IT protection through expert planning and integration of Forefront TMG and Microsoft ISA Servers. Progent's Microsoft engineers can assist your company to deploy Microsoft Forefront TMG 2010, manage and troubleshoot all versions of ISA Server, or migrate smoothly from ISA Server environments to Microsoft Forefront Threat Management Gateway.
Microsoft Exchange Upgrade Remote Troubleshooting
Exchange 2003 Online Support
Progent's Microsoft Certified professionals can provide expert consulting for corporate-wide implementations of Microsoft Exchange 2007. Progent's consultants can show you how to plan multi-location Exchange Server 2007 installations or updates and can supply local technicians to assist large companies with deployments of Exchange Server in the or any region covered by Progent's consultants.
24x7 Windows 11 Snap Assist Setup and Support
Windows 11 Installation Consulting
Progent's Microsoft-certified Windows 11 experts offer a variety of services for Windows 11 including cloud and hybrid integration, mobile device management and synchronization, at-home workforce connectivity, data and identity security, streamlined deployment, and Call Center support services.
Support and Integration Microsoft Exchange Server
Immediate IT Services Exchange 2010
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants have 20 years of experience designing, installing, and maintaining messaging systems for clients in the and throughout the United States. Progent provides affordable Microsoft Exchange Servers consulting support to make sure that your email environment offers protection, high availability, easy access for remote and wireless users, efficient administrative tools, and productive integration with telephony. Progent offers expertise and integration services for Exchange 2016, Exchange 2013 Server, Exchange 2010, MS Exchange 2007, Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server, and Exchange 2K. Progent can also assist small or medium companies to upgrade to Exchange 2016 Server or Exchange 2013 Server.
Identity Authentication Online Technical Support
ProSight Duo MFA Computer Consultant
Progent's Duo service plans utilize Cisco's Duo technology to protect against password theft by using two-factor authentication (2FA). Duo supports one-tap identity verification on iOS, Android, and other out-of-band devices.
Dynamics GP Development Consulting Services
Dynamics GP Report Writer Professional
Microsoft Dynamics GP/Great Plains software includes analysis and reporting capabilities that allow you to monitor all operations, revenues and expenses, and sales trends with integrated drill-down, inquiry, and reporting capabilities. Progent's Dynamics GP/Great Plains reporting support services can help you design reports that let you understand your business more thoroughly, converting uncooked data into useful management information. Progent is able to enhance your reporting and analytics by offering Crystal Reports expertise, FRx help, and Microsoft Excel assistance. In addition to delivering reporting consulting, Progent can provide Microsoft .NET consulting, Microsoft SQL Server expertise, and programming experience with VBasic, XML and other development environments in order to deliver specialized line-of-business software development and web commerce applications that work transparently with Dynamics GP/Great Plains.
SharePoint 2016 Migration Online Troubleshooting
Online Troubleshooting SharePoint 2016 Migration
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants offer economical online and onsite consulting expertise, software development, and technical support support for businesses of any size who intend to upgrade to SharePoint 2016 or SharePoint Online from earlier releases of SharePoint.
24-Hour Ekahau Onsite Wi-Fi Site Survey Professional
Award Winning Ekahau On-premises Wi-Fi Site Survey Integration Services
Progent's Ekahau-certified Wi-Fi consultants can assist your business to design, implement, optimize, manage and troubleshoot a Wi-Fi solution optimized for your environment. Progent offers online or onsite expertise for Ekahau Pro for predictive Wi-Fi design and Ekahau Sidekick for onsite RF signal analysis.
Help Desk Sharing Cost Savings Computer Consultant
Open Now Co-managed Service Desk Costs Professionals
Progent's Help Desk Call Center management and co-management services help organizations to save money and enhance productivity.
Windows, UNIX, Solaris Computer Engineer
UNIX with Windows IT Consultant
If your business computer system combines UNIX, Linux or Solaris technology with Microsoft Windows, Progent can help you to integrate your computers into a unified network that permits all your OS platforms to coexist for easy management, seamless dataflow, high availability, enhanced throughput, and tight security. Progent's UNIX and Windows coexistence assistance offerings include IT infrastructure configuration and support, support for Microsoft Windows services for UNIX (SFU), remote network monitoring and administration, remote network support and troubleshooting, on-site technical support, and Help Desk support.
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