5 Steps to Migrate to Windows 7

Period of Windows XP will soon be over. Since Microsoft announced its intention to discontinue support for older operating systems a decade in April 2014, many companies are frantically trying to regulate migration to other operating systems.
Severity of the situation is getting worse as most of the applications and third-party program began earlier withdrew their support for Windows XP.

Microsoft urged users to do their job to start the migration by offering support for Windows 7 operating system by 2020.

Microsoft also emphasize the importance for XP users to migrate to Windows 7 before they moved to Windows 8 that has not been introduced, to ensure no gaps in support - an approach supported by research firm Gartner.
Because it takes at least one and a half years to plan and deploy the new operating system, like it or not, companies must move quickly.
Here are five steps to a successful migration.
1.What business priorities
Have clear command of the entire enterprise allows one to use technology to help meet business priorities.
This method should be done in conjunction with IT decision makers and representatives of several different business units within the company.

2. Set user segmentation
Set user segmentation is quick to judge all users and align their work habits and requirements, with technology providing the appropriate desktop will be useful to identify which user groups can benefit from the fastest new environment. Special segments including workers, outside workers, remote workers, and similar to it.
3. Assessing endpoint hardware
The purpose of the hardware endpoint was to assess the ability of the user's device to determine whether and how such devices could be used after migration to Windows 7 platform.
Analysis is required to view all the skills, matching them with the requirements of Windows 7, identifies the device that needs replacement, purchase of new hardware and install the operating environment and the company approved applications for productivity.

4. Managing Applications
When migrating to a new operating system, one major challenge is the validation process to ensure that existing applications can continue to serve on the new operating system.
Companies should consider investing in application management tools that can help provide information about the application portfolio, which accurately predict the behavior of applications on the new technology platform to test the compatibility and remediation applications automatically.
For example, Windows 7 requires that the applications are compatible with the operation of 32-bit or 64-bit to work. Applications built on 16-bit architecture can not work in this new operating system and a lot of old applications that are important to the company could not walk.
In addition, not all companies have the time and / or investment and to adjust their applications with the new platform.
5. Adopting desktop virtualization
Windows 7 upgrade process can be simplified by using desktop virtualization that enables companies to quickly and easily obtain a safe, cost-effective mobile and that they need.
Companies also can continue to improve the existing investment in new hardware infrastructure. Through desktop virtualization, IT can create a picture of a standardized desktop Windows 7, to identify and create an environment optimized profiles, building support resources appropriate for the user and moving data and user settings to the new virtualized environment.

Migrating to Windows 7 is often done in stages in a big company, which took many months and create repetitive downtime experienced users.