Genesis - The Desktop Standardization Utility
There are many tools on the market that deploy computer images across a network (SMS w/OSD, Altiris, and Ghost just to name a few). All of these tools follow the same basic process - they capture an image of an existing reference machine and then copy it down to other computers on the network.
The problem with this process is two fold:
1) Creating the reference build -
a) If done manually this is an arduous task taking many hours and must be thoroughly documented to expect any hope of standardization
b) A captured image (unless properly prepared by a highly skilled desktop architect) can only be deployed to a machine sharing the same hardware - otherwise it will result in, at the least, driver conflicts, or more likely, the dreaded BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). Because of this, most corporations tend to create whole libraries of images - often one for each department and one for each model of computer
c) Images must be regularly updated to keep them current with security patches and software updates. Most companies fail to do this because the number of images they support prohibits the investment in manual man hours necessary to keep them up to date.
2) The deployment tools are relatively technical requiring a skilled technician to run them
Our first product, Genesis, targets both of these problems. First, Genesis gathers together all of the necessary tools and source files for creating a windows installation along with hardware drivers for your supported PC's, additional software, branding files, customized registry settings, IE Settings, Security settings, etc..
It then compiles all of these onto a bootable DVD used to do a completely unattended installation of the operating system followed by an image capture in the new Microsoft .wim image format. (The OS installation can even be done on a Virtual Machine eliminating the need for a separate reference system)
Following the image capture Genesis will compile and burn a bootable deployment CD or DVD that uses a very simple yet robust interface to deploy the image to new machines. Alternatively, Genesis can also create USB flash drive deployment media.
Genesis will also do post deployment configuration and software installations based upon the end user's job function, location, and/or PC type eliminating the need for multiple images to support different departments.
To address the previously mentioned problem of image maintenance all of the build settings in Genesis are saved to a template so that an exact duplicate build can be created along with any necessary updates at the click of a button. Genesis can automatically slipstream service packs and windows updates into the windows source files as well as run Microsoft Updates immediately following deployment so that images are always kept up to date.
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