Network Help for Small Businesses

Microsoft's breakthrough client operating system combines the familiar Windows 7 look, including the popular Start Menu, with the Live Tiles and touchscreen features of Windows 8's modern interface. Other headline features of Windows 10 include enterprise-class security, the new Edge browser with HTML5 support, the Cortana voice-based personal digital assistant, tight Cloud integration, the ability to work with virtually any class of desktop or mobile device, and a suite of tools for streamlining and centralizing the management of all Windows 10 devices. Windows 10 also offers a host of benefits such as faster boot and resume, faster Wi-Fi reconnect, enhanced multi-monitor support, expanded Snap capabilities, and an improved task manager.

Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help you evaluate and test Windows 10 to determine whether Windows 10 is appropriate for your organization. Progent also offers support in any phase of a project to migrate to Windows 10 from any earlier version of Windows. Migration services available from Progent include ROI analysis, project management, compatibility testing, pilot systems, virtualization strategies, Cloud integration, mobile connectivity and synchronization, teleworker access, security and compliance consulting, deployment and management automation, disaster recovery planning, configuration support, wired/wireless convergence, training for IT staff and end users, and post-migration technical help.

Improved Features in Windows 10
Windows 10 is the most tested software in history, with over 5 million beta users. If you now run Windows 7, there is little training required thanks to the availability of the familiar Windows desktop. Users can adopt the modern Windows 10 interface at their own pace. Existing Windows 7 and Windows 8 devices can be upgraded in place, preserving data, apps and drivers. New or enhanced capabilities of Windows 10 include:

Cortana
Cortana is a new intelligent personal assistant based on voice technology similar in concept to Apple's Siri. Users can interact with Cortana using natural speech or text to access services such as web and file searches, calendar tracking, and reminders. Cortana's user-accessible Notebook stores learned behavior patterns and can be edited to inform Cortana about specific interests, delete unwanted information, specify "do-not-disturb" times, adjust battery use, and customize settings for speech, search and various other services. Cortana also has an option to derive personal information from a user's Facebook account.

The Edge Browser
Microsoft Edge is a new standards-based browser that will replace Internet Explorer as the default browser on Windows 10. Edge's headline feature is that it allows users to annotate web pages, which can be copied and shared via OneNote. Edge is also integrated with the Cortana intelligent digital assistant and features a Reading Mode that allows users to capture web pages, strip them of ads, and read them offline. For compatibility, IE 11 is also maintained on Windows 10.

Single sign-on with Office 365
Windows 10 users can now utilize Azure Active Directory (AAD) as the identity service not only for logging into Office 365 but also as the single sign-on for Windows login, Windows Store, plus OneDrive settings and file synchronization. Users also have the option of using familiar sign-on options such as Microsoft Accounts, Active Directory, and local accounts on their Windows devices.

Keyboard/Touchscreen Auto-switch
With 2-in-1 devices featuring a touchscreen and a detachable keyboard, Windows 10 can switch automatically between user interfaces optimized for the current input mechanism based on whether the keyboard/mouse hardware is attached.

Single-file Provisioning
Windows 10 is designed to support fast and simple provisioning via a single configuration file. For most out-of-the-box computers powered by Windows 8.1 or Windows 10, this feature allows you to build a configuration file that can specify policies, upgrade OS Editions, install drivers, and enroll in an MDM solution. An advantage of using a configuration file is that it can be applied via email, a USB key, an SD memory card, or directly over a network, eliminating the hassle of traditional OS imaging for provisioning Windows devices.

Business Store Portal (BSP)
Windows 10 administrators have access to a free web-based store portal called The Business Store Portal (BSP) designed to provide organizations with a controlled, user-friendly, secure and resilient mechanism to distribute applications and manage licenses. The BSP is a private extension of the Windows Store that can be securely accessed by signing in with an Azure Active Directory identity. Authorized members of an organization utilizing the BSP simply have to click on a link to install an application, which can be a standard Windows Store app or specialized line-of-business (LOB) software.

Improvements with Windows Defender
Windows Defender's configuration and state are less vulnerable to malware tampering by limiting interactions with Windows Defender to trusted and signed processes. In addition, when third-party antimalware expires and stops providing security, Windows 10 will prompt the user over a three-day period to re-subscribe. If the user fails to do so, Windows 10 will automatically activate Windows Defender to provide protection.

Device Guard
Device Guard can block zero-day exploits or Advanced Persistent Threats (APT's) by allowing administrators to prevent the execution of applications not digitally signed by a trusted source. Because Device Guard can run in a virtual container isolated from the rest of Windows 10, the device is protected even against exploits that have gained full system privilege.

Two-factor Identity Authentication
Windows 10 credentials are stored locally on client devices and encrypted asymmetrically. This allows the Windows 10 device to be used as one of the elements in two-factor identity authentication based on Fast Identity Online (FIDO) Alliance standards. For example, Microsoft's Passport platform allows networks, apps and websites to authenticate a user's identity using either a PIN or biometric login without the need for entering a password.

Single-console Management
You can combine Windows 10 Mobile Device Management (MDM) based on Azure Active Directory and Intune along with traditional on-premises management services like Active Directory Group Policy and System Center Configuration Manager to consolidate Windows management within a single, centralized console.

How Progent Can Help You Evaluate and Integrate Windows 10
The vast feature set of Windows 10 and the broad selection of supported client devices can be challenging for IT managers charged with making responsible for making a cohesive IT ecosystem out of a mix of company-owned and user-owned products from multiple vendors. Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants have extensive backgrounds integrating and supporting networks that include Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Mac OS, and Linux-based desktops and notebooks as well as smartphones and tablets powered by Android, Apple IOS, and Windows. Progent can help you assess Windows 10 in a test-lab simulation of your environment or provide project management consulting for designing and implementing a smooth migration to Windows 10 based on industry best practices. Progent can assist you to detect and mitigate compatibility problems, update your security solution, improve your remote connectivity, set up Hyper-V virtual clients, manage mobile devices based on Windows and other operating systems, and provide other services to ensure you derive the maximum business benefit from Windows 10.

To reduce the costs, time and risks associated with a major rollout of Windows 10, Progent can provide expertise with Microsoft's powerful provisioning available in Windows Assessment and Deployment Kit (ADK), including recently introduced Imaging and Configuration Designer (ICD). Progent also offers the help of a Microsoft-certified System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) expert who can show you how to update and configure your SCCM solution to automate a Windows 10 migration.

Many of the advanced capabilities of Windows 10 require a current version of Windows Server 2012 R2. As a Microsoft Certified Partner with a Server Platform competency, Progent can deliver world-class consulting and technical support for every facet of Windows Server 2012 R2 integration. Progent can help you assess the business value of Windows Server 2012 R2, develop a migration strategy, create a pilot systems, provide project management help, configure Windows Server 2012 R2 servers and Windows 10 devices to work together efficiently, devise and validate an appropriate security and compliance solution, and provide continuing online and onsite consulting services and technical support. For more information about Progent's IT services for Windows Server 2012 R2, refer to Windows Server 2012 R2 consulting and support services.

For more details about Progent's support services for migrating to Windows 10, see Progent's Windows 10 migration consulting.

Additional Consulting Services for Windows 10
Progent can help organizations of all sizes to plan, implement, administer, and maintain networks that incorporate Windows 10 clients of all types. Progent's Technical Response Center can provide fast and effective online assistance from a Microsoft-certified technical support expert to fix problems you encounter with Windows 10 in areas such as application or device or driver compatibility, remote connectivity, or security settings. Progent's desktop management experts can show you how to save administrative time and expense by centralizing and automating Windows 10 management processes such as OS updates, license control, tracking usage, and enforcing policy. Progent's wireless mobility experts can help you design and deploy a secure and manageable BYOD environment by providing services such as iPhone and iPad integration, and Android phone and tablet configuration and management support.

Progent's certified network security consultants can help you design, deploy, and test a security and compliance strategy that takes full advantage of the advanced security features built into Windows 10. Progent has developed a portfolio of affordable security vulnerability assessment packages to evaluate the security profile of desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones powered by Windows 10 or running in conjunction with Windows 10 clients. For ongoing data security, Progent offers the ProSight suite of network management outsourcing packages, a selection of 24x7 remote monitoring and management (RMM) services including Progent's ProSight LAN Watch Windows server and desktop monitoring services and ProSight WAN Watch network infrastructure performance monitoring service based on state-of-the-art RMM technology. Progent's Cisco-certified CCIE network infrastructure experts can assist you to implement the powerful remote connectivity options available in Windows 10 and can help you create a network topology that accommodates wired and wireless devices, enables anytime-anywhere collaboration, and delivers enterprise-class security, consistent performance, and high availability.

To improve manageability, security, affordability, and resilience for Windows 10 clients, Progent's Hyper-V virtual client consultants can show you how to benefit from the Client Hyper-V feature available with Windows 10. Progent can also provide Windows 11 planning and migration consulting to help you upgrade to the latest version of Microsoft's Windows client OS.

Contact Progent to Find Out More About Consulting Services for Windows 10
To find out more about ways Progent can help your organization evaluate, deploy, and manage Windows 10, call 1-800-993-9400 or visit Contact Progent.