Complete Solution for the Migration of User Settings

COLOGNE, Germany, May 7, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Profile Migrator(TM) allows a centrally controlled migration of user settings for arbitrary windows-based applications on clients and servers. The software supports the migration to Windows 7 and Windows Server 2008 R2, the virtualization of desktops and servers, the introduction of 64-bit systems, and version upgrades of common programs (including MS Office, Outlook, Internet Explorer, Adobe Reader, etc.). The beta version of the program is now available for download from http://www.profilemigrator.com for a 30-day evaluation.

Program customizations and individual settings of users are stored in user profiles. These represent a set of configurations that is stored via distributed entries in various files. Each application treats user data differently, however. A standard does not even exist for software manufacturers themselves. The migration of user profiles is thus a complex matter and is hardly ever attempted these days.

Enter Profile Migrator(TM), a new software by sepago that migrates user configurations in operating systems and applications. The program is very powerful in this respect and can be used for practically all migration scenarios. That's because Profile Migrator(TM) uses a profile migration method based on "Application Configuration Sets" (ACS) which has been newly developed by sepago.

The ACS technology combines the information about the creation of the user profiles by an application into an XML file. The user settings of the application are then migrated with this file. For a variety of standard programs, the necessary ACS files can be downloaded from an online database and imported into Profile Migrator(TM). Missing ACS files can be created with the program if required.

Profile Migrator(TM) is thus not restricted to preselected applications. Administrators can carry out a migration project that has been flexibly adapted to their needs. The program supports a system changeover to Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2, the introduction of 64-bit systems, the virtualization of desktops and servers, and version upgrades of common applications such as MS Office.

An intuitive graphical user interface (GUI) permits program operation and the execution of the profile migration in three steps: 1. Selection of the profiles, 2. Selection of the applications, 3. Check of the settings and start of the profile migration. As only selected application data is migrated, the migration simultaneously serves as a profile cleanup.

Profile Migrator(TM) can as of now be downloaded from http://www.profilemigrator.com as a beta version and can be evaluated free for 30 days. All settings made in the test version can be saved and can later be applied to the production environment with the full version. Profile Migrator(TM) Beta processes server-stored (roaming) profiles and Citrix UPM profiles. The full version will also permit the migration of local profiles.

Migration of user profiles saves follow-on cost and increases the acceptance of IT innovation

Without the transfer of their personal settings, users experience their new desktop after a migration as a nuisance. Templates, standard formatting, signatures, settings on file locations, shortcuts, macros and add-ins, background images, skins, font sizes or settings for the toolbar are no longer present. The reconfiguration of these settings, which simplify work and lend a motivating "look & feel" to the workplace, represents lost productive work time. Often users need additional help from the user help desk for this. This results in significant follow-on cost from a migration.

On the product website http://www.profilemigrator.com, we have provided an ROI calculator that highlights these hidden costs of a migration. After entering the individual parameters, a significant savings potential and a convincing Return on Investment (ROI) emerge. In an example calculation for organizations with 2,500 users, this amounts to around 120,000 euros - a relevant savings potential in times of tight budgets and continuously increasing competition.

But even the non-pecuniary perspective is clearly in favor of migrating user profiles. Retaining settings is a real service that ensures user satisfaction and contributes to a fundamental increase in the acceptance of innovation in IT. For the first time, Profile Migrator(TM) creates the opportunity to migrate user settings for arbitrary windows-based applications. This allows a system/version update to be carried out in a cost-efficient and user-friendly way.

About sepago

sepago GmbH, based in Cologne (Germany), are specialists for application provisioning and automation in complex IT environments. As a Citrix Platinum, Microsoft Gold und VMware Enterprise Partner, sepago offer services in the areas of consulting and operation support at the highest level. The business unit Research and Development develops future-oriented software solutions based on special market insight from the consultancy business. sepago have become known internationally as the creators of the Citrix User Profile Manager. Further information on the company is available online under http://www.sepago.com. Under blogs.sepago.de, sepago developers and consultants discuss current IT technology topics.

    Press Contact

    Carsten Brueggerhoff
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    Phone: +49-221-8019395-0
    Email: [email protected]

SOURCE sepago GmbH