Microsoft reveals internal Windows 8 deployment scheme
updated 04:59 pm EDT, Sun September 30, 2012
Dedicated feedback website lauded as success
Microsoft has provided details on the Windows 8 deploying experience, by explaining what happened when it deployed the operating system to desktops within the company. A blog post detailed how the Microsoft installed Windows 8 onto 30,000 systems, allowing nearly 30,000 employees to use the oncoming operating system from mid-July onwards.
Aside from the expected enterprise deployment techniques of updating and training the help desk staff ahead of the mass installation, it also adopted a social networking model for support. A moderated forum called //pointers allowed employees to provide feedback on the changes as it took place throughout the company, which after seeing relatively high traffic levels to the site, made Microsoft think of this as a valuable collaboration and knowledge-sharing tool.
System administrators used IT Easy Installer to streamline the upgrade experience, by automating as much as possible. The program allowed teams to work out if the target machine was suitable for Windows 8 and offered compatibility guidance for already installed software, as well as migrating data to local or network storage as a backup.
Microsoft will be launching Windows 8, as well as its tablet-based Windows 8 RT on October 26th. [via Engadget]
