Swimage Encore is a simple to use application that fully automates the entire OS deployment process including: Image Creation, patching, light touch Image Deployment, zero touch image deployment, user data and settings migration, application installation, automated user notification, full deployment reporting and much more!
Swimage Encore works great in extremely large and complex environments via native integration with SMS/SCCM and Altiris DS as well as in small environments with no Electronic Software Distribution systems and everything in between.
Deployment is not easy. Deployment is not cheap. Deployment is not optional. Your company will need to deploy new operating systems as well as redeploy to existing endpoints. You are paying a price for this right now (upwards of $250.00 PER NODE according to industry experts!). The real question is whether you can improve on that IT cost through the adoption of a more efficient model for deployment.
Deployment has historically been something avoided at all costs. By implementing Swimage Encore, rapid deployment, reduced costs and increased agility empowers your IT department to provide the features and functions needed rapidly with a significant savings of money and time.
That really depends on how much you implement (Don’t you just love “It depends” answers?). We have an ROI model that can be completed with the assistance of one of our Business Development Managers but it is not uncommon to see between a 50% – 75% reduction in the cost per node deployed.
Swimage Encore strives to be the easiest deployment framework in the world. To that end, we have seen customers fully deployed and functional in as few as two weeks. Installation of the software is very fast. The intricacies of deployment mean that normally the software is sold with a services component as well to assist in initial configuration and pilots. Services are available beyond that as well as services linked directly to educating your team on how to leverage their newest IT Asset via Swimage Encore University.
Evaluation is usually a progression. The first step is to set up a call with your Business Development Manager. Working with them we can get the right technical people on the line to determine your best first step. Options include online demonstration, onsite demonstration and proof of concept or, if you are already sold on the idea, purchase!
Most of the time there is software and a services component to a Swimage Encore purchase. This allows our team of deployment engineers the ability to assist with the deployment and configuration of the product in your environment as well as the establishment of cross training for your staff and ideally, the execution of formal training so that when our consultants ext, your team is ready to handle anything they run into.
Honestly, we don’t feel any product in the marketplace provides the value we do as we are more than a product. We are a solution for a business problem. Aided by our background in consulting, we feel our solution is unique in its method of addressing the pain points not only of the technology, but also of the business challenges, opting for the most cost effective and efficient solutions to each.
No. Our goals are the same: rapid adoption of Microsoft Operating Systems. We have consultants that can work with a customer to customize and implement the ZTI and ZTP solutions within the MDT toolset. We ALSO have an alternative that requires significantly less engineering upfront and ongoing by providing a fully functional application that, when used, can provide reduced costs and more rapid deployment within weeks rather than months.
Yes and No (Well, we have a sense of humor!) From a deployment perspective, Swimage Encore absolutely makes your life easier. It can import patches that are approved via your ESD solution and incorporate them not only into the image creation process but also seamlessly into the deployment process. On a “go forward” basis, your patch management solution should manage that node.
Time, Complexity, Consistency, Vision, Support, VALUE
Time: Due to its compiled nature and over a decade of experience behind it, the SWIMAGE ENCORE framework allows a rapid adoption and rapid results. In business, time is money.
Complexity: Requiring little change for a standard deployment out of the box, SWIMAGE ENCORE can be a very simple solution to a complex problem. DO not be confused by this simplicity however, as SWIMAGE ENCORE can be customized to a significant degree to support almost any deployment automation need.
Consistency: Due to the modular nature of the Build process recommended and orchestrated by the SWIMAGE ENCORE framework, customer builds are consistent, complete and easy to deploy.
Vision: Our direction for SWIMAGE ENCORE takes the ‘value-add’ beyond the bits and bytes of deployment into the application of refined and time tested IT process actively orchestrated to drive business results that can be linked to reducing the cost of technology assets. With the direction of SWIMAGE ENCORE into OS support beyond the basic desktop offerings into Server, different CPU architectures and burgeoning support for embedded as well as a focus on intelligent workflow based on ITIL and MOF standards, the Vision of the SWIMAGE ENCORE framework is to be a solution that works not just today, but two years from now.
Support: With any complex problem, there will be times when the customer needs help. Having professionals available via web, email and phone to help with issues is a critical value add for the investment in the SWIMAGE ENCORE framework.
Value: The key focus is on the ROI that is being provided. The cost of the solution is a small factor when you are looking at reducing the average cost per desktop from $100.00 - $150.00. The migration is going to happen; it is up to us (we and Microsoft) to make it as painless and efficient as possible.
Not to pile on, but we also have features that are simply not touched by the competition including Automated End User Notification, Remote troubleshooting, A Centralized Web Console, Native Support for multiple disk encryption technologies, and Support for multiple ESD connections. Add these to the fact that for most organizations, with Swimage Encore there is no scripting requirement, you have a solution that is hard to beat!
Single point products are very attractive and certainly hold the allure of simplicity. Often times however, we find that in an effort to bundle everything in one product, the lowest common denominator must be supported. Since SWIMAGE ENCORE houses the intelligence and framework behind the deployment process independent from an infrastructure partner, we are able to advance it rapidly to support cutting edge requirements and changes brought about by environmental necessity. Joining forces with existing infrastructure solutions to leverage the ‘plumbing’ just makes financial sense as you (the customer’s) investment is being leverage. Add to that the fact that when used with our foremost partner, System Center Configuration Manager 2007, not only does the solution represent the most feature rich and flexible solution, but also, in almost all cases, the least expensive.
Facts are that those core ESD solutions do a number of things very well. Deployment is simply not one of them. Whether it is for one machine or 10,000, Swimage Encore makes deployment simple, reliable and predictable while leveraging your other tools for their strengths.
On the client side, Swimage Encore has been run on client operating systems including:
• Windows 2000 SP4
• Windows XP
• Windows XP Embedded (Downlevel Support)
• Windows Vista (all Flavors)
• Windows 7 (all Flavors)
Our development team is constantly working on platform support. So as our customers reach a need for deployment, we will work to incorporate it into our framework.
32 Bit and 64 Bit support for Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 is included.
We currently have connectors for:
• Systems Management Server 2003
• System Center Configuration Manager 2007
• Altiris Deployment Server
As with client platforms, as there is need in the market, we will extend our connector framework. So if you are a heavy LANDesk user, give us a call!
We have no plans to stop support for SMS 2003. Our goal is to maximize your investments not force you to make additional future investments (beyond investing in our solution obviously!)
We currently support:
• VMWare Workstation
• VMWare Server
• Virtual PC
• Virtual Server
• Hyper V
We test extensively in these environments and support creation of client operating systems in any of them. We also support our server running in any of them. (Note: It is not recommended in production to run our server component in VMWare Workstation or Virtual PC)
We do a lot of business in the federal space and they are, let’s say, security conscious. We have support for Bitlocker and Pointsec available with others in development. Our Pointsec solution leverages a patent pending architecture that allows for zero-touch deployment to a whole disk encrypted workstation without decrypting the data. This allows a significant time reduction in deployment (over 5 hours in some cases!)
We are already working on support for Azure and have prototyped support for Amazon’s S3 data store. This is an area we are spending a considerable amount of time on and should have information soon!
Stay tuned!
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