LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Military computer users have seen their share of system migrations in the past few years. This new year will be no different with the implementation of Standard Desktop Configuration 3.1 and installation of the Windows 7 operating system on government workstations.
Air Education and Training Command directed the change on Dec. 1, and "over this next year, the 802nd Communications Squadron will be leading the migration of Lackland's nearly 20,000 workstations to the new operating system," said Capt. Stephen Bachran, project officer for the SDC 3.1 migration.
"Since migration to Windows Vista just wrapped up within the last year, a number of people will be wondering what benefits they'll see from this latest effort," said Captain Bachran.
One key benefit is an improved user interface, he said. "Microsoft has made a great effort to make a more user friendly product and the extra work definitely shows. Having multiple windows open at once is made much easier with improved resizing, previewing and application responsiveness."
Power users will appreciate the faster window switching and reduced delays when moving back and forth between applications, he added.
Additionally, Microsoft Windows 7 features improved boot times and sleep/resume functions. So while Vista users wasted a lot of time staring at a load screen, Windows 7 users should experience much faster startups. The new operating system also features a simplified search function, which makes finding documents, media and other files much easier, said the captain.
Significant improvements in its structure help Windows 7 reduce vulnerabilities and enhance cyberspace security, he said. "It has also made many of its security functions more transparent so the user has fewer interruptions and a better experience."
But, "to get all of these great benefits, we have to get through the migration first," said Col. Roy Jones, 802nd CS commander. "One of our biggest challenges during our migration to Vista was maintaining mission readiness. It will be no different this time around with Windows 7."
A key to mission readiness is having customers backup their data prior to migration, he said.
"While we are working with deployment methods that retain data and restore it under the new operating system, there are always going to be some glitches," said Colonel Jones. "To make sure users are able to get back to full mission capability as fast as possible, all files should be backed up just to be safe."
A second key to readiness is identifying systems that run non-standard applications, which may be incompatible with Windows 7.
"Prior to migration, these applications need to be tested to ensure there is minimal mission impact from this transition," said Captain Bachran. "Unfortunately, some systems will have to wait for these applications to be updated before they can migrate."
Eligible computers will migrate to Windows 7 between now and October. "So if you haven't yet, you will soon be seeing Windows 7 on a workstation near you," he added.
For more information or to find out when your computer will migrate to SDC 3.1 and Windows 7, contact your unit computer systems technician.
(Courtesy of 802nd Communications Squadron)