BDS Solutions were engaged to upgrade a legacy Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM) 2007 server for Barts Health NHS Trust (Barts) to the latest SCCM 2012 R2 version, a Windows product that enables administrators to manage the deployment and security of devices and applications across an organisation.
To ensure business operations were maintained, existing packages were migrated to the new platform and processes established to convert the legacy packages to the SCCM 2012 Application Model, improving delivery reliability and enabling the Trust to complete a problematic application roll out.
The operating system delivery model was significantly improved. Barts were previously using manually captured lightweight image and all applications were manually added during the Task Sequence process resulting in slow delivery times and excessive management overhead for maintenance. BDS Solutions created a Build and Capture Task Sequence to automate the creation and capture of the new standard base image, including all latest available updates and core business applications, reducing the computer preparation from over hour to less than 30 minutes.
Yet, even more time was saved on image delivery for new computers via an agreement with the supplier to pre-image the computers. This was achieved with the creation of a Pre-Staged content file, and a bespoke stand-alone Task Sequence to prepare the computers and bulk load the pre-staged content for the supplier to use. This means that new computers provided can be operational within about 10 minutes of having been received.
To ensure Barts continue to realise the additional benefits of the upgraded SCCM platform, a detailed handover workshop has been provided to Barts SCCM lead who had inherited the old platform and some questionable procedures.
Blog by Dean Lockwood, Solutions Architect