Meeting the Needs of Roaming Professional Users

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Roaming professional users are very similar to stationary professionals. Even though they use multiple computers, they also typically have a primary computer.

For these users, roaming should be effortless and come at no additional cost over stationary use.

The following plan illustrates how basic and advanced change and configuration management might be applied to roaming professional users:

  • Basic User Data Management. All aspects apply. Local private storage is essential for this group. The desktop should be redirected.

  • Advanced User Data Management. Roaming User Profiles are required. The use of the Encrypting File System might appeal to senior executives. However, note that encrypted files and folders cannot be included in a Roaming User Profile. Encrypted files and folders can, however, be redirected.

  • Basic Settings Management. A limited number of overrides will be tolerated. They are not local administrators.

  • Advanced Settings Management. It is okay to control computer state and access. However, this will often require the creation of a local My Documents folder if network-based quotas are small.

  • Basic Software Installation and Maintenance. All aspects apply. Application publishing can be used, but only if you can run the application from the network so that the applications do not need to be installed on a local computer. Use installation on demand for optional features.

  • Advanced Software Installation and Maintenance. Use application assignment sparingly. Assign applications only to users, computers, not to computers.

  • Basic Remote OS Installation. All user access to remote installation options is removed completely so that all installations are performed by either administrative or Help desk personnel. Alternatively, remote installation options are restricted so that installation is completely automatic.