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Sean Hasling's avatar
Sean Hasling
Brass Contributor
Jun 08, 2017

Deployment best practices

  I would like to ask a question about the deployment process.   My organization is still struggling to come to grips with how best to deploy Windows 10.   We are an educational institution, so ...
John Louch's avatar
John Louch
Copper Contributor
Jun 09, 2017

I disagree with your assumptions. 95% of the software applications we use are packaged and deployed through SCCM, including updates. We do not routinely re-image machines, only when a machine has completely failed is it re-imaged. There is no difference in a machine I imaged six months ago to a freshly imaged one.  If your workflow involves routine imaging then I could see the value in a thick image, but otherwise it is just extra work to maintain.

  • Sven Aelterman's avatar
    Sven Aelterman
    MCT
    Jun 12, 2017

    Also, what about your 5% of applications that are not deployed with SCCM?

    • Sean Hasling's avatar
      Sean Hasling
      Brass Contributor
      Jun 13, 2017
      Since we have not used SCCM yet, I am not sure I understand. Are you saying that there are some applications that just will not work with SCCM deployments?
      • yannara's avatar
        yannara
        Brass Contributor
        Jun 14, 2017
        40 apps bring some challenge yes, and you have to calculate which is more important;
        1. Faster deployment time of single machine
        vs.
        2. Dynamic (easy) management of apps in OSD

        Then you will end up to;
        1. Install all apps and capture image with B&C or manual capture. You will have full image (win) with static content.
        2. Install all apps within Task Sequence during deployment. Your deployment time might be lot slower.
  • Sven Aelterman's avatar
    Sven Aelterman
    MCT
    Jun 09, 2017

    Maintaining the thick image isn't much extra work, it's automated.

    May I ask:

    • How long does it take for a new machine to finish deployment?
    • How would you manage removing old software and upgrading with new versions, with tricky ones like SQL Server, Visual Studio, etc.?
    • Sean Hasling's avatar
      Sean Hasling
      Brass Contributor
      Jun 10, 2017

      I have the same question. I would like to clarify that I am coming from just using WDS and am trying to make the eventual move to SCCM and the short term move to MDT+WDS.

       

      So when I am trying to deploy out AutoCAD, office, win 10 and possibly even SolidWorks, on the same image... well, let's just say that is why I am asking these questions.

       

      also, two things....

       

      Visual Studio installs and the whole office 2016 + Project and Visio.... would love to discuss this further through email along with some other educational imaging questions.

       

      which brings me to the second question. Anybody interested in exchanging official emails? I feel like I am years behind on the use of MDT or SCCM. I am my tech are trying to make sure that we get it done right.

       

      please PM me if you are interested. I will gladly reciprocate. Thanks.

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