Migration and Deployment
Changes to the network infrastructure or desktop
configuration across large organisations can provide enormous
benefits; with improvements in productivity amongst staff
and better communications, both internally and with clients
and suppliers. At the same time, widespread change presents
tremendous risks in terms of the potential for interruption
to daily operations, loss of reputation with clients and,
for commercial organisations, erosion of shareholder confidence.
Whether server- or desktop-based, the underlying methods
by which a migration is managed are fundamentally similar;
allowing a single management structure to effect both infrastructure
and workstation change simultaneously. In devising such
a programme the chief requirement is a detailed understanding
of how all processes in each of four areas of activity interact
in a comprehensive management structure.
The major phases
of migration activity are:-
 |
Planning |
|
Discovery |
|
Solution Design |
|
Test and Migration |
One of the key issues in managing these
phases is the mix of resources appropriate to each task.
There is often a requirement for third party suppliers to
supplement inhouse resources by providing either necessary
skill sets, or the sheer manpower required to expedite a
large programme in a short time. The contractual arrangements
with external suppliers can be the basis for unacceptable
difficulties in reporting, implementation of change requests
and, in the worst cases, a lack of proper accountability.
The clear definition of roles and responsibilities and the
establishment of effective control mechanisms are essential
to prevent under-performance by any operational group and
ensure that in-house and external resources are completely
co-ordinated.
