Welcome to an insider's view of the Microsoft enterprise IT environment. Here you'll find our latest content on Microsoft IT's best practices and lessons learned as we plan for, develop, deploy, and manage Microsoft products in our own global enterprise. Content is added regularly, so be sure to check back often to see what's new, or subscribe to our RSS feed to receive alerts when new content is posted.

• Microsoft IT Strengthens Security with Data Loss Prevention
  With information residing in a multitude of places, enterprises face growing risks of inadvertent or malicious leaks. The integration of Active Directory Rights Management Services into RSA Data Loss Prevention products provides a very effective solution for Microsoft IT to locate and protect sensitive data.
  Added: Monday, 16 November 2009

• Enabling Information Security through the HBI Information Classification
  To prevent the inadvertent disclosure of High Business Impact (HBI) information, Microsoft IT designed and implemented a system using Microsoft technologies in conjunction with a third-party solution that automatically identifies and classifies HBI information at risk, and then starts the remediation proccess.
  Added: Monday, 16 November 2009

• How Microsoft IT Simplified the Windows 7 Installation Experience with OSD
  Microsoft IT will talk about how they simplified the Windows 7 installation experience by developing a self-service wizard. The wizard can be launched from network boot or run advertised programs in control panel. It uses preflight checks and gives the user the ability to select applications to install. Find out how Microsoft IT will enhance this offering in the future.
  Added: Monday, 16 November 2009

• How Microsoft IT Used OSD as Part of the Windows 7 Deployment
  Microsoft IT will talk about how they leveraged the Operating System Deployment feature within System Center Configuration Manager to deploy Windows 7 within the Enterprise. Learn how Microsoft IT customized the solution that has been engineered for extensibility and how you can do the same.
  Added: Monday, 16 November 2009

• Enabling Information Security through the HBI Information Classification
  To prevent the inadvertent disclosure of High Business Impact (HBI) information, Microsoft IT designed and implemented a system using Microsoft technologies in conjunction with a third-party solution that automatically identifies and classifies HBI information at risk, and then starts the remediation proccess.
  Added: Monday, 16 November 2009

• Data administration of Business Rules Providing A Great Connected Systems Experience
  Until recently, data administration in Product Activation systems was a time-consuming, manual process which would take weeks to complete not to mention the development and test resources required to configure the data. The MSIT Product Activation systems team built a solution with innovative use of Microsoft technologies which not only automates the manual processes but also provides quality checks to ensure accuracy and agility.
  Added: Monday, 9 November 2009

• Centralizing and Sharing Business Intelligence
  Centralizing and sharing business intelligence helps Microsoft lower costs, streamline business processes, share business information securely across the entire company, and establish closer relationships with business partners.
  Added: Wednesday, 28 October 2009

• Work Smart Guides Deliver Key Software and Services Productivity Scenarios
  Microsoft IT (MS IT) created Work Smart Guides to provide employees with scenario-based, re-usable, best-use productivity aids on Microsoft products and IT technologies. The goal of the Work Smart Guides project is to enable more consistent, productive, and cost-effective use of software and service offerings across the company.
  Added: Friday, 23 October 2009

• Streamlined PC Procurement Improves Productivity While Controlling Costs
  Do you manage a PC procurement system? Learn how Microsoft IT closely manages the PC configurations available to its employees. Specific computer procurement guidelines allow Microsoft employees to easily purchase supported PCs. In turn, providing a limited set of supported PC configurations enables the corporation to improve application compatibility, hardware compatibility and provide an improved user experience.
  Added: Tuesday, 20 October 2009

• Maturing Deployment Methodology Yields Streamlined Windows 7 Deployment
  Windows 7 deployment goals have been exceeded and Helpdesk call volume is below anticipated levels. Microsoft IT delivered on a Windows 7 deployment plan that minimized end user disruption. Investments in communications and productivity materials support a prepared end user population.
  Added: Tuesday, 20 October 2009

• Improving the Wireless Network Infrastructure at Microsoft
  In this article you will learn how Microsoft IT defines Enterprise Data Protection for Intellectual Property (IP). Brokering IP between employees, vendors, and partners requires nuance. The usefulness of data is directly proportional to its range of movement. At the same time, portable computing devices with significant storage capacities enable users to distribute corporate data. Balancing these realities at Microsoft has resulted in four Strategy Stages. They include Current Strategy, Short Term Solutions, Long Term Solutions, and Realizing the Vision.
  Added: Tuesday, 20 October 2009