at the big rollout in New York today of Windows Vista. But an interesting side note is the effort PC companies are making to supplement the new Microsoft OS and simplify the transition for enterprise customers.
Vista officially launches today for corporations and other large organizations, while the packaged consumer version won't be available until
late January.
Lenovo, Dell, (Quote), and HP (Quote) said they're ready to launch Vista-related software.
Lenovo, for example, has enhanced its ThinkVantage Technologies (TVT) for Vista Enterprise edition. One component of TVT, Rescue and Recovery, is a fully-integrated extension of Vista's own built-in protection that restores a PC to its previous working state, even if the operating system will not boot.
Rescue and Recovery is designed to help users diagnose and recover systems from catastrophic software failures caused by viruses and malware (define).
Deepak Advani, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Lenovo, said the company refers to it as "the blue button of life," during a press
conference in New York this morning.
Advani said that Lenovo has been working to integrate Vista into its new laptops for well over a year. "We have opened centers of excellence in the
U.S. and in China and we're going to open one in the U.K. as well," he said.
During the upgrade-to-Vista process, users will be able to create a backup image of their Lenovo system to an external optical drive or hard disk. If the upgrade fails, they can recover at the touch of a button.
ThinkVantage Access Connections is a profile management utility that automatically switches network, security, printer, browser settings and more
when users change locations. This essentially allows users to “speed-dial” a network.
Users can set profiles for different locations, such as office Ethernet connections, wireless connections in the home, an airline lounge through a wireless wide area network (WWAN) or coffee shop through a wireless hot spot.
Among the advantages the software provides IT is a reduced need for users to deal with the complexities of managing connection settings. Lenovo said it also reduces reliance on remote support.
The software is free and comes with all new ThinkPads and ThinkCentre PCs. Users of older versions can download the latest updates.
Lenovo has also included a security chip, the Trusted Platform Module (define) (TPM) in its systems for many years. Vista will ship with drivers for TPM that Lenovo plans to leverage to enhance its security features. For example, Lenovo's shipped four million systems with a built-in fingerprint reader for security.
"You'll be able to store all your passwords and logins encrypted using the chip," said Clain Anderson, director of security & affiliated software for Lenovo's software and peripherals business unit.
Using the fingerprint reader for ID, Anderson said users would have the option to let the system automatically fill in passwords and any ID information when filling in registration forms.
HP and Dell Roll Out Their Own Vista Tools and Services
HP is rolling out an array of support services and Vista-related software. The computer and printer giant said its OpenView enterprise management software will support both the Windows Vista and Exchange Server 2007 environments.
HP's smart plug-ins (SPIs) — including the Exchange Server 2007 SPI — are designed to ensure seamless interoperability with the new platforms for companies looking to upgrade.
Like Lenovo, HP was an early provider of TPM 1.2 embedded security and that continues with its Vista-ready PCs and notebooks. Additionally, HP said it will offer several features for notebook Vista users. These include its HP Mobile Data Protection 3D and HP Wireless Assistant, which offer improved wireless access management and improved data protection.
Meanwhile, Dell is focusing on Vista, Office 2007, and Exchange Server 2007 migration tools for its corporate customers. For example, customers with a volume license agreement from Microsoft can send Dell its Vista image and have Dell factory-install it through its standard imaging service.
For companies migrating to Vista, Dell offers the Windows Vista ROI Tool, which it said gives quantifiable information to help plan and budget around their migration. The software lets customers track their total cost of ownership for up to three years.
Exchange Advisor Tool provides a blueprint designed to optimize and simplify customers email environments including system sizing, availability, data security, backup and recovery, and archiving.
News courtesy of internetnews.com
November 30, 2006
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Contents:
1. Manufacturers Look to Simplify Vista Transition for Enterprise Customers
Additional Articles:
Looking Ahead to Windows Vista: Part I
More Bits for Vista Enthusiasts
Looking Ahead to Windows Vista: Part 2
Looking Ahead to Windows Vista: Part 3
Vista Security Mostly Invisible But Thorough
Black Hat Takes Vista to Task
Vista Outlook Not as Cloudy?
Vista One Step Closer to Release
Vista RC1: A Major Improvement Over Beta 2
Microsoft Hard-Balling EU Over Vista
Getting a Good Look at Vista
Allchin Breaks Out the Pom-Poms for Vista
Adobe, Symantec Press EU to Block Vista
Gartner: EU Complaints Might Lead to Vista Delay
Vista to Downgrade Pirates
Vista gets Cute (Qt)
A Vista Delivery Next Month?
Microsoft Ships Final Test Version of Vista
PC Makers Ready for Vista
Vista on Track: Microsoft Bends For E.U., Korea
New Microsoft License Ties Vista To Hardware
Security Vendors Have a Vista Bone to Pick
Microsoft, McAfee Trade Barbs Over Vista Security
Holiday PC Buyers to Get Vista Coupons
Vista's PatchGuard Bypassed?
Bug Causes Vista RTM Roadblock?
Vista Wait to End with November
Vista Compatibility Checks and Balances
Vista Gets the Final Sign-Off
How Fast Will They Flock to Vista?
Pirated Vista, Office 2007 Already on the 'Net
Vista's Day Has Come
Are You (And Your Apps) Ready For Vista?
Countdown to Vista: Microsoft's Past and Future
Study: Vista to Spur Revenue, Jobs Growth
Is Vista the Last of Windows?
Vista Exploit Looking for Achilles Heel
From Vista to Viiv in Vegas
Microsoft Shakes Up Vista Options
Microsoft Aims to Support Small Business Success
Windows Vista Service Pack Already in the Works
Rivals Say Vista Still Violates EU Ruling
Sales Up, Profit Off: Microsoft Looks to Vista
Microsoft: Vista Is Just the Beginning
Graphics Rumble Seen on the Vista Horizon
Vista's Hello; Gates' Last Hurrah?
Could Vista Save Dell?
Vista: You Might Not Care Yet -- But You Will
New Tools Ease Vista Deployment Pains
The Great Migration: Upgrading to Windows Vista
News of Vista SP Release Date Slips Out
Microsoft: Sorry About Windows Vista Ultimate 'Extras' Delay
Windows Vista Gets Another Dose of The 'Blue Pill'
Microsoft Releases Two Vista Updates
Microsoft Readies First Vista Service Pack Beta
Microsoft Releases Vista Search Documentation
IT Departments Giving Vista the Cold Shoulder
Vista Service Pack, Windows Server Previews Hit
Will 2008 Be Vista's Golden Year?
Vista Networking Tips: Tips & Tricks for Wi-Fi Networking with Windows Vista
IT Adoption of Vista to Begin in 2008
Vista Adoption Far From a Done Deal
Dueling Service Packs: XP vs. Vista
Vista SP1 to End Genuine Advantage 'Kill Switch'
Near-Final Vista Service Pack Arrives
Free Vista ... If Microsoft Looks Over Your Shoulder
Vista Networking Tips: Intro to Wi-Fi Networking Using Vista
Looking Back on 2007: The Vista from Here
Vista Networking Tips: Sharing on a Wi-Fi Network Using Windows Vista
Vista Networking Tips: Connecting to Wi-Fi Networks Using Windows Vista
Vista Sales – You Do the Math
Vista Sales May Be Looking Up
2010 for Next Big Windows Release?
Tool Cuts Vista Down to Size
Vista SP1 Leaked on BitTorrent
Did Microsoft Muddy Vista Requirements to Aid Intel?
Tit For Tat in 'Vista Capable' Suit
Windows Vista Tips & Tricks, Part 3
Court to Microsoft: 'Vista Capable' Appeal Denied
