PC Desktop Support Services
Microsoft Windows 8.1 Upgrade and Consulting Services
Windows 8,
Microsoft's first universal client operating system, is designed to power devices ranging from smartphones and tablets to engineering workstations. An abundance of new and improved features, including its touchscreen support and signature "live tiles" user interface, offer a broad range of benefits for companies who understand how to put them to work. Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can help bring your organization up to speed with Windows 8 and its successor Windows 8.1 and show you how to derive significant business value from the operating system's many technical enhancements. In addition, Progent's Windows 10 migration consultants can help you evaluate Windows 10 or migrate to Windows 10 from your Windows 8.1 environment.
Three basic desktop editions are available for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 . All of these versions work with popular Windows desktop software such as Microsoft Office as well as with the next generation of applications available from the Windows Store, and all three versions include built-in security via mechanisms such as secured boot and Windows Defender. Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise add support for BitLocker and BitLocker To Go for encrypting storage, advanced Group Policy management to increase control of Group Policies, Remote Desktop for anywhere access to your work PC, Offline File Access for the ability to stay productive when disconnected from the Internet, and Client Hyper-V virtualization for running multiple operating systems on a single computer.
Windows 8 Enterprise includes Windows to Go for porting corporate images of Windows 8 that boot from a USB-connected drive, DirectAccess for easily establishing secure remote connections to corporate networks without requiring VPN, and BranchCache for improving productivity and conserving bandwidth in remote offices.
Top New Features of Windows 8
The Pro and Enterprise versions of Windows 8 offer a powerful set of new or enhanced features for improving security, manageability, productivity, connectivity, virtualization, and performance. Important features include:
BitLocker
Windows 8 introduces several enhancements to BitLocker drive encryption including BitLocker Provisioning for deploying Windows 8 in an encrypted state, Used Disk Space Only Encryption for faster encryption, Standard User PIN and Password Change to reduce IT administration hassle, Network Unlock to unlock the system volume automatically during boot for easier administration, and support for Full Disk Encryption (FDE) for fast, hardware-based encryption. BitLocker to Go makes it possible to encrypt a Windows To Go drive
Windows To Go
Windows To Go allows enterprises to create a managed corporate image of Windows 8 on an encrypted USB drive that can be booted and run online or offline on any compatible PC powered by Windows 8 or Windows 7. This allows corporations to provide controlled, free-seating computing environments for contractors and visitors, ensures security in BYOD scenarios, and allows mobile workers to travel light by using the PCs available at their destinations.
Group Policy Management
Windows 8 simplifies Group Policy management by allowing administrators or help desk technicians to refresh Group Policy settings remotely and by making it easy to determine the status of replication of Group Policy Objects across a domain. Advanced change management capability for Group Policy supported by Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP) includes the ability to checkpoint policy rollouts and minimize downtime with Microsoft Advanced Group Policy Management (AGPM).
Offline Files
Support for a new Always Offline mode in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 makes it possible to allow users never to transition to Online mode and allows Windows to synchronize changes in the background automatically at specified intervals. This permits faster access to files in redirected folders and can dramatically reduce costs on metered connections. To reduce overage costs on 4G mobile networks, Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 can detect when a user is roaming or is near or beyond a bandwidth limit and can be configured to switch automatically to Offline mode to postpone all synchronization. Users retain the option to initiate synchronization manually.
Remote Desktop
Remote Desktop allows you to use the Internet to connect a local PC to your physical or virtual work PC and use the applications, files, and network resources as though you were physically in front of your work PC. Enhancements in Microsoft RemoteFX and Windows Server 2012 provide a realistic desktop experience that allows users to play 3D graphics, use USB devices, and use touch screens. Remote Desktop features that require the Enterprise edition of Windows 8 include the ability to access work resources published via RemoteApp, support for RemoteFX USB Redirection and PnP device redirection, User profile disk, and RemoteFX virtual graphics processing unit (vGPU).
Client Hyper-V
Client Hyper-V is a basic version of Microsoft's familiar Hyper-V server virtualization technology adapted for Windows 8 desktops with SLAT-capable CPUs. (SLAT stands for Second Level Address Translation and is called EPT by Intel and RVI by AMD). A comparable functionality, called XP Mode with Virtual PC, is available as a free download on Windows 7 desktops. Client Hyper-V allows you to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) with various operating systems on a single desktop and have full isolation. Client Hyper-V does not support some advanced Hyper-V features such as Live Migration, Hyper-V Replica, SR-IOV Networking, and Synthetic fibre channel.
Storage Spaces
Storage Spaces, a new core feature of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, provides disk virtualization through Microsoft's storage pool technology. Pools make it possible to combine a collection of various types of hard disks as well as solid state drives (SSDs) to create a single logical pool or multiple pools that can be expanded on the fly as needs require. For improved resiliency, Storage Spaces support mirroring and parity.
DirectAccess
DirectAccess provides remote users with easy and secure access to data behind the corporate firewall and features a one-time password plus automatic health checking, patch management and security updates. DirectAccess eliminates the delays and hassles associated with establishing a VPN connection or the need to re-establish the VPN connection after every Internet dropout. Introduced with Windows 7, DirectAccess has been made simpler to implement by allowing IT managers to use Windows Server 2012 to perform address translation rather than requiring the deployment of IPV6.
BracnchCache
BranchCache uses client-based or server-based caching to minimize Internet traffic between a remote site and a corporate data center, thereby improving branch office performance and lowering connectivity costs. BranchCache originally required the combination of Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2. With Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, BranchCache has been enhanced with data encryption without requiring PKI, automatic service discovery via Active Directory, unlimited expandability through clustering, and streamlined printing.
Improved Features in Windows 8.1
Windows 8.1 is a free upgrade to Windows 8 and includes hundreds of new or enhanced features and fixes. The most prominent enhancement is the return of the familiar Start button that was absent from Windows 8. Windows 8.1 also incorporates a number of major enhancements in the areas of usability, mobility, security, and mobile device management. Some of the most significant new features introduced with Windows 8.1 include:
Workplace Join
Network managers can now offer more detailed control to company resources. Once a user's device has been registered, IT administration can allow various levels of access but still enforce specified governance rules on the registered device.
Work Folders
Work Folders make it possible for files that users create locally on devices that are not domain joined to synchronize back automatically to the file server in the corporate data center. Work Folder syncing is integrated into the Windows 8.1 file system and does not require third-party folder replication software. Administrators still have the option to enforce Dynamic Access Control policies on the Work Folder Sync Share and can utilize Workplace Join.
Mobile Device Management (MDM)
Once a user registers a mobile device, the device joins the Windows Intune management service. This permits the use of a Company Portal that provides a consistent user interface for remotely accessing corporate applications, data, and resources from almost any device. Network managers have more advanced policy management capability for Windows RT devices and have the convenience of managing Windows 8.1 computers as mobile devices without the need for installing a full-blown management client.
Auto-triggered VPN
When a user selects an application or network resource that requires access via the inbox VPN, Windows 8.1 automatically displays a one-click sign-on prompt, eliminating the hassle of launching the inbox VPN client.
Device Encryption for All Clients
Before now, device encryption was restricted to Windows RT and Windows Phone 8 operating systems. All versions of Windows 8.1 make device encryption available, and the Pro and Enterprise editions allow you to configure it with additional BitLocker protection and management features. Consumer devices using a Microsoft account are automatically protected with device encryption.
Boot to Desktop
Windows 8.1 allows you configure to Windows to boot directly to the familiar desktop environment after you have logged on.
OneDrive Cloud-based Storage
OneDrive is an online storage option incorporated into Windows 8.1 that allows you to access, share, and sync files from any device you happen to be using. Once you have signed into your Microsoft account you can browse your OneDrive using either the OneDrive application or the familiar Windows File Explorer utility in the desktop. OneDrive includes 15 GB of free online storage (1 TB for Office 365 subscribers) and users can purchase additional storage capacity from Microsoft.
Miracast Wireless Display Sharing
Developed according to the Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) wireless display specification, Miracast allows you to use Wi-Fi to project a full Windows 8.1 screen from a laptop, tablet, or all-in-one to a large wireless display-enabled screen of up to 1080p.
Broadband Tethering
You can use a Windows 8.1 mobile broadband-enabled PC or tablet into a Wi-Fi hotspot to allow other devices to connect and access the Internet.
How Progent Can Help You Integrate Windows 8.1
The innovations incorporated in Windows 8.1 and the variety of devices supported by the operating system represent a serious challenge to IT managers responsible for making sure that increasingly heterogeneous networks can function as cohesive information systems. Progent's consultants have experience integrating and maintaining environments that include Windows XP, Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Mac OS, and Linux-based desktops as well as tablets and smartphones powered by Android, Apple iOS, and Windows operating systems. Progent can help you evaluate Windows 8.1 in a proof-of-concept test lab or provide project management services for planning and executing an efficient migration to Windows 8.1 following leading practices. Progent can help you identify and resolve software compatibility issues, revamp your security strategy, update your remote access connections, configure virtual machines, manage mobile devices, and perform other tasks to make sure you benefit fully from the enhanced features of Windows 8.1.
For more details about the enhanced capabilities of Windows 8.1 and for a description of Progent's support services for migrating to Windows 8.1, see Progent's Windows 8.1 migration support.
To control costs, save time, and minimize engineering risk for large-scale migrations, Progent can use 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 management of Windows 8.1 activations.
Many of the advanced features offered by Windows 8.1 are accessible only in conjunction with Windows Server 2012 R2. Progent is a Microsoft Certified Partner with a Server Platform competency and can provide expert consulting support for all aspects of Windows Server 2012 R2 integration. Progent can help you evaluate the business case for adopting Windows Server 2012 R2, design a migration plan, set up proof-of-concept pilot systems, provide comprehensive project management services, configure Windows Server 2012 R2 servers and Windows 8.1 computers to work together so as to maximize their business value, develop a sound strategy for security and compliance, and deliver ongoing technical assistance. For details about Progent's support for Windows Server 2012 R2, see Windows Server 2012 R2 consulting services.
Additional Consulting and Support Services for Windows 8 and Windows 8.1
Progent offers a broad range of online and onsite outsourcing and co-sourcing support services to assist organizations of all sizes to deploy, manage, and maintain information systems that include Windows 8.1 desktops, notebooks, tablets, and smartphones. Progent's Technical Response Center can provide cost-effective online access to a Microsoft-certified consultant to resolve issues associated with Windows 8.1 in areas that include compatibility, remote or mobile connectivity, or security and compliance. Progent's desktop management consultants can assist you to cut costs by automating desktop administration tasks like change management, license tracking, performance and security monitoring, and group policy control. Progent's smartphone and wireless tablet consultants can help you deploy and manage a secure BYOD ecosystem that includes Windows 8.1 client computers as well as various smartphones and tablets by offering services like iPhone and Windows 8.1 integration, Android phone setup and management consulting, and BlackBerry and Windows 8.1 integration expertise.
Progent's certified IT security engineers can assist you to refine your security strategy and meet compliance requirements by implementing new security features incorporated into Windows 8.1. Progent also offers a selection of affordable security vulnerability scanning packages that can assess the security profile of Windows PCs, notebooks, smartphones, and tablets. For round-the-clock protection, Progent offers the ProSight suite of network management outsourcing services, a collection of remote network monitoring and reporting services that include Progent's ProSight LAN Watch Windows server and desktop management services and ProSight WAN Watch infrastructure monitoring and management service based on advanced RMM technology. Progent's Cisco-certified CCIE network engineers can show you how to optimize your network infrastructure to support the enhanced remote connectivity technology built into Windows 8, including DirectAccess, BrancheCache, Remote Desktop, and Work Folders.
To improve security and compliance, uptime, throughput, manageability, and disaster recovery for Windows 8.1 computers, Progent's virtualization experts can show you how to deploy the Client Hyper-V technology included with Windows 8.1 Pro and Windows 8.1 Enterprise.
Contact Progent to Find Out More Consulting and Support Services for Windows 8.1
To find out more about ways Progent can help your organization evaluate, test, install, and manage Windows 8.1, phone
An index of content::
OS X Infrastructure Specialist
Apple Macintosh Network Professional
Progent's Mac networking engineers can help you with a broad range of network foundation issues such as system architecture, remote and mobile connectivity, internetwork communication, protection, and new technologies including Voice over IP and fast wireless connectivity. For business networks based solely on Mac OS X or for environments incorporating a mix of Mac, Linux and Windows based servers and desktops, Progent has the experience and size to deal with the complexity of designing, configuring, and maintaining a network architecture that is robust, secure, efficient and supportive of your corporate objectives. Progent can help you configure Apple’s Xserve enterprise servers, Xserve RAID fault-tolerant storage products, and Apple's Xsan storage area network systems. Progent can also give you access to certified experts to help you with Cisco routers and switches.
Network Consulting Unified CM and Exchange Online
Urgent Unified Messaging Computer Engineer
Cisco Cisco Unified Communications Manager (Unified CM), previously known as CallManager, operates as the heart of Cisco's communications and collaboration portfolio. CUCM and Unified Communications Manager Express (CME) provide a borderless IP-PBX by integrating closely with unified messaging applications such as Cisco Unified CM IM and Presence Service, Cisco Unity Express for voicemail management, Mobile Connect for Single Number Reach, and Unified Contact Center Enterprise (UCCE) for building an advanced customer contact solution. Progent's Cisco-certified consultants offer effective and affordable remote and on-premises expertise to help businesses of all sizes to build and maintain CUCM deployments by providing Unified Communications Manager configuration and technical support consulting services that deliver optimum business value. Progent's consultants can assist with any aspect of CUCM setup and troubleshooting in areas that include integrating Cisco Voice over IP phones and Video phones, designing dial plans, setting up SIP connections and PSTN calling, deploying ISR G2 routers with CUBE support, creating Cisco UCS server clustering systems for survivability, performance tuning, and integration with Exchange Server.
Online Support Data Center
Biggest Site Move Consulting
For enterprises with branch offices in California or any region covered by Progent's engineers, Progent's Microsoft-Certified network consulting experts and authorized Cisco system consultants can provide a range of network support services such as project management, SOX compliance, office relocations, enterprise security, system architecture, on-site or remote branch office support, and technical support for colocation hosting environments. A Progent IT consultant can help you design a multi-site network that makes efficient use of co-location facilities and Internet data centers. Progent�s Microsoft Certified consultants can help major enterprises design, integrate and support massive rollouts of updated versions of Microsoft products including Active Directory, Microsoft Exchange Server, SharePoint Server, SQL Server, and Enterprise editions of Windows. Progent�s CCIE and Cisco Certified Network Professional experts can help you deploy Cisco technology for connection solutions that combine basic, high-performance, integrated, and remote networking.
Services Solaris with Windows
Expert Microsoft Certified Windows and UNIX Consult
If your company is producing UNIX or Linux software on a network that includes Microsoft Windows-based processors, desktops, and office applications, Progent offers full-service network support outsourcing that allows you to focus on your area of strategic know-how while avoiding the continual hassle of maintaining your company information system. By using smart server monitoring and by providing online and on-site assistance when your business needs it, Progent represents an affordable way for managing an IT network that features high availability, security, and performance. Progent's developer support offerings include comprehensive information technology outsourcing, virtual server infrastructure, remote and on-premises service and repair, proactive network monitoring services, and Contact Center services.
Microsoft Exchange 2003 Setup and Support
Exchange 2003 Server Upgrade Consultants
Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants offer technical help and IT consulting expertise for Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server, Windows 2003 Server, and for the complete family of Microsoft server platforms. Progent's upgrade, configuration, administration, and support expertise for Exchange Server 2003 include planning, installation, project management, onsite and off-site troubleshooting, Help Desk outsourcing, certified security evaluation, and full-service network management outsourcing.
Mirial Consultants
Cisco Telepresence Specialists
Progent can provide the services of an accredited consultant with an extensive background integrating technology from the leading video conferencing/telepresence providers such as Cisco/Tandberg, Polycom, and LifeSize and can help you to plan, configure, expand, or troubleshoot a video conferencing environment that preserves your investment and maximizes the strategic value of your information system. Progent can also provide the expertise of infrastructure consultants who can help companies of all sizes to build and maintain a network that delivers the speed, reliability, protection, and scalability you need to support your video conferencing/telepresence environment.
After Hours Cisco Expert Development Amazon MWS integration
Amazon Marketplace Web Service development Reports
Amazon Marketplace Web Service (Amazon MWS) is a collection of APIs that allows Amazon sellers to streamline their operations by automating crucial sales activities such as listings, orders, shipments, fulfillment, and reports. By leveraging Amazon's extensive online ecosystem and automating their sales processes, merchants can expand their market, lower their cost of sales, accelerate response time to customers, and increase their bottom line. Progent's Amazon Marketplace Web Service (Amazon MWS) developers can collaborate with your development team and provide programming, workflow integration, project management support, and training so you can shorten development time and expedite your ROI.
Microsoft Operations Manager Remote Technical Support
Application Monitoring Consultant
Remote 24x7 network monitoring, proactive alarms, and actionable reports are crucial to maintaining the health of your network and eliminating preventable and costly disruptions. Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) solutions have progressed to the point that businesses of all sizes can afford a level of network stability that was once reserved for large enterprises. Progent can provide a variety Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) options delivered as economical service packages created to assist your company to detect and fix a an array of IT network issues before they can hurt productivity.
Word 2016 Network Consulting Firms
Word 2016 Consulting
Progent's certified Office and Microsoft 365 experts can assist businesses to integrate Office desktop and Microsoft 365 apps such as Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Access, Visio and Publisher into a cohesive solution that offers quick ROI and promotes improved business outcomes. Progent can assist your company to integrate Microsoft Office or Microsoft 365 applications with each other and with additional core Microsoft platforms such as SharePoint, Exchange Server and SQL Server deployed on-premises or hosted in the cloud. Progent can also help you to resolve compatibility problems between different releases of Microsoft Office and can provide customized online instruction to individuals and teams.
Meraki Switch Deployment Computer Engineer
Meraki Switch Deployment Professional
Cisco's Meraki MS line of access and aggregation switches are intended for environments that go from small branches to large campuses. Progent's Cisco-certified CCIE consultants offer cost-effective online consulting to assist your company to plan and implement a productive network solution based on Meraki switches, simplify network administration with Meraki's cloud-based management architecture, configure policies to maintain security and compliance, create and validate a disaster recovery plan, and troubleshoot issues related to any facet of your Meraki ecosystem. Progent can also assist you to connect Meraki switches with Cisco's Nexus or Catalyst data center switches and with Meraki wireless access points to build a unified networking solution.
Operations Manager Example Application
MOM Case Study
Before Progent’s Microsoft Operations Manager solution, system problems were handled reactively, once workers complained about them. With the help of proactive, computer generated alerts and trend reports sent by Microsoft Operations Manager, Progent is now able to address server problems before they grow to be serious enough to impact network uptime. Because of Microsoft Operations Manager, Progent can resolve incipient problems before customers are aware that the problems are there. Progent offers help for MOM 2005 and MOM 2000 to offer small company IT systems enterprise-class availability, security and performance.
24/7 Online Troubleshooting CIO
CIO Technology Consulting Services
Progent can provide small businesses with an IT management expert who can act as a part-time Chief Information Officer. This part-time Chief Information Officer can provide long-term direction to help you deploy appropriate IT products to improve business operations so they align more closely with your corporate goals. Your business can create and implement a well thought out information technology plan without incurring the cost of a full-time senior IT executive.
Reports Microsoft Dynamics
Business Software Programming Companies
For assistance writing, enhancing, or troubleshooting applications for Windows, Linux, or the Web, Progent’s expert team of program developers, relational database architects, and project managers can ensure you get the job done on time and within your budget. Progent's seasoned application developers offer cost-effective and efficient remote consulting for jobs as simple as writing VBA scripts for Excel or as large as rolling out mission-critical database applications built on Microsoft SQL Server or Oracle.
ProSight Remote Network Troubleshooting Support and Integration
Specialists Automatic Topology Diagrams
ProSight WAN Watch is an infrastructure management service that makes it simple and affordable for small and mid-sized businesses to diagram, monitor, reconfigure and debug their connectivity hardware such as routers, firewalls, and wireless controllers plus servers, client computers and other networked devices. Using state-of-the-art Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) technology, WAN Watch makes sure that network diagrams are always updated, copies and manages the configuration of virtually all devices connected to your network, tracks performance, and sends alerts when problems are detected. By automating time-consuming management and troubleshooting processes, ProSight WAN Watch can cut hours off ordinary tasks like network mapping, expanding your network, finding devices that require important software patches, or resolving performance issues.
24-Hour Video Conferencing Consultant
Consulting Polycom Telepresence
Progent offers the support of an accredited engineer with expertise deploying products from the major video conferencing/telepresence providers such as Cisco/Tandberg, Polycom, and LifeSize and can assist your company to plan, install, upgrade, or maintain a video conferencing environment that protects your current investment and optimizes the strategic value of your IT network. Progent also offers the expertise of network infrastructure consultants who can help companies of any size to build and troubleshoot a communications network that provides the performance, dependability, protection, and scalability required to support your telepresence solution.
Data Protection Manager 2016 Security Computer Engineer
Data Protection Manager 2016 and Windows Server 2016 Integration
Microsoft System Center 2016 Data Protection Manager (SCDPM 2016) offers automatic backup and easy recovery capabilities for Microsoft environment. SCDPM 2016 offers application-aware protection for key platforms like SQL Server, Exchange Server and SharePoint Server, protects Windows and Linux VMs, works with virtual machines running on Windows Hyper-V as well as VMware, and can use Microsoft Azure for convenient cloud-based backup and recovery. Progent's Microsoft-certified consultants can assist businesses of any size to design, deploy, administer, and repair an enterprise-wide backup/recovery solution powered by SCDPM 2016. Progent can help you to upgrade from an older version of DPM or from a legacy solution, and Progent can tune your SCDPM 2016 environment for on local, colocated, cloud or hybrid deployment models. Progent can provide online or onsite support and can deliver occasional guidance to resolve challenging issues or provide end-to-end project management or co-management services to help you finish your SCDPM 2016 initiative on schedule and within your budget.
Apple Macintosh Network Consultants
Support macOS Architecture
Progent's Apple Mac support consultants can assist you with a broad array of system infrastructure issues including network architecture, off-site and mobile connectivity, internetwork compatibility, protection, and new technologies including Voice over IP and high-speed wireless connectivity. For company networks based solely on Apple Mac OS X or for systems incorporating a combination of Mac, Linux/UNIX and Windows powered servers and desktops, Progent has the knowledge and depth to handle the complexity of designing, configuring, and maintaining a network infrastructure that is reliable, safe, efficient and supportive of your business objectives. Progent can help you deploy Apple’s Xserve enterprise servers, Apple's Xserve RAID non-stop storage systems, and Apple's Xsan SAN systems. Progent can also provide skilled professionals to support Cisco routers and switches.
Support Desk Sharing Integration Services
Technical Support Services Shared Help Desk Ticketing
Progent's Computer Contact Center Outsourcing Support Services for desktop support are intended especially for small organizations who need fast access to a Help Desk Service Center with expert telephone support and effective escalation capability but who must operate within a modest information technology budget. Key components of Progent's Help Desk Outsourcing Support Services are Helpdesk Support, Optional Remote Access Provisioning, Initial System Assessment, Expert Escalation, Virtual Help Desk Support, Per Minute Billing, and Help Desk Applications Recommendation and Deployment.
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