Configuration Manager v.Next Overview - Mat's additions

As mentioned in both my and Col's previous posts, it is all about the User Centric Client Management and its 3 pillars:

• Empower the end user
• Unify the infrastructure/admin consoles, consolidate the separate tools (Mobile Device Manager is rolled into SCCM)
• Control via improved feature sets and simplified processes.

This is based on a new definition of an end user - more tech savvy, used to the consumerisation of IT, Digital native. IDC predicts that there will be 1Billion mobile workers by 2011 - 75% of US workforce will be mobile by end of this year and 80% of Japanese.

Consequently demand for IT specialists will shrink(40% this year), there will be an increase in balanced versatilists (definite consultant speak - IT Pro's will need more all round knowledge and adaptability.

v.Next will embrace the user and move away from the device. It will provide a web based software catalog that users can pick from.

Tech details:

• Can deploy apps to DP group
• Role based security in admin consoles (which can be customised)- allows you to show only the items that role needs.
• Can set a security scope, e.g. a EU admin would only see EU relevant data.
• Should be able to reduce infrastructure - primarys are needed for scale only with them as an option for content distribution
• Data segmentation for users - so they only see software catalog items relevant to them.
• Using SQL transation replication rather than file replication services (for some data)
• Lots of work on client health to help troubleshooting and auto remediation.
• Mobile Device manager merged into v.Next. This will include cross platform support, ability to deploy apps to devices or user.DCM to devices, secure over the air enrollment, monitor and remediate out of compliance devices, app allow/deny.
• DCM (Desired configuration management) is now called Settings management.
• Patching - auto deployment of specific things based on rules - e.g. windows defender definition updates (and a very simple interface to configure these rules, audible gasps of joy in the audience).
• OSD (Operating System Deployment) offline servicing of images based on update baseline you set for the live environment - means new builds don't need to go through a patch process once built, they are build to the latest environment update level by default.
• Boot media updates - hierarchy wide boot media, unattended boot media with pre execution hooks to auto select task sequences.
• USMT 4.0 - hard link offline and shadow copy features, UI integration.
• Remote control - send CTRL+ALT+Del to remote device is back.
• Settings Management - v.Next can 'set' registry, wmi, scripts. Unified across servers, PCs and mobiles. Audit tracking.
• Configuration Item revision history - version control in packages so you can see what has changed over time.