Overview of the Deployment Process

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Overview of the Deployment Process

The first step in the deployment process is to assess your business needs so that you can define the project scope and objectives. Next, decide how best to use Windows Vista to meet those needs. Then, assess your current network and desktop configurations, determine whether you need to upgrade your hardware or software, and choose the tools for your deployment.

Having made these decisions, you are ready to plan your deployment. An effective plan typically includes the following:

  • All the details for customizing Windows Vista.
  • A schedule for the deployment.
  • An assessment of your current configuration (including information about your users, organizational structure, network infrastructure, and hardware and software needs).
  • Test and pilot plans.
  • A rollout plan.

Create a test environment in which you can deploy Windows Vista by using the features and options in your plan. Have your test environment mirror, as closely as possible, your users' network, including hardware, network architecture, and business applications.

When you are satisfied with the results in your test environment, roll out your deployment to a specific group of users to test the results in a controlled production environment (a pilot).

Finally, roll out Windows Vista to your entire organization.

Creating the deployment plan is a cyclic process. As you move through each phase, modify the plan based on your experiences.