Migrating to Windows 7: Achieving Application Compatibility

Your migration to Windows 7 is inevitable. And virtualizing some of the applications you’re moving there is also a good idea. Doing both at the same time could reduce costs, help you avoid application sprawl, boost scalability improve user productivity. But the reality is that testing and validating application compatibility across a large number of legacy and homegrown applications can be huge burdens.

Fortunately, new solutions and best practices have emerged to help you overcome these burdens. Download this white paper to see how to easily test and fix application compatibility issues, and simplify migrations to Windows 7 and streamline the conversion of applications for virtual environments.

Download now »

Live Webcast: How to Manage All Your Devices from One Console
September 25, 2:00 p.m. (EDT)

Ready to take control of your multi-platform environment? On Thursday, September 25, join Microsoft and Quest to learn how you can manage all your devices from one console – regardless of platform!

With Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012, coupled with Quest Management Xtensions (QMX), you can distribute software, push profiles and apps and more to iPads, iPhones, Apple notebooks -- and, of course, to your Microsoft Windows operating system devices. 

Register now »

ChangeBASE Patch Tuesday Report - September 2012

With this September Microsoft Patch Tuesday update, we see a set of 2 Important updates.

The Patch Tuesday Security Update analysis was performed by the Quest ChangeBASE Patch Impact team. From the thousands of applications included in testing for this release, they identified no Amber or Red issues.

Given that these patches update non-critical files a reboot is most probably not required.

Testing Summary

• MS12-061: Vulnerability in Visual Studio Team Foundation Server Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2719584)
• MS12-062: Vulnerability in System Center Configuration Manager Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2741528)

MS12-061	Vulnerability in Visual Studio Team Foundation Server Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2719584)
Description	This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Visual Studio Team Foundation Server. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if a user clicks a specially crafted link in an email message or browses to a webpage that is used to exploit the vulnerability. In all cases, however, an attacker would have no way to force users to perform these actions. Instead, an attacker would have to convince users to visit a website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes them to the attacker's website.
Payload	No specific file information
Impact	Important - Elevation of Privilege

MS12-062	Vulnerability in System Center Configuration Manager Could Allow Elevation of Privilege (2741528)
Description	This security update resolves a privately reported vulnerability in Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager. The vulnerability could allow elevation of privilege if a user visits an affected website by way of a specially crafted URL. An attacker would have no way to force users to visit such a website. Instead, an attacker would have to persuade users to visit the website, typically by getting them to click a link in an email message or Instant Messenger message that takes users to the attacker's website.
Payload	A.     Reportchart.asp, Reportinginstall.exe, Smsse.dll
Impact	Important - Elevation of Privilege

*All results are based on a ChangeBASE Application Compatibility Lab’s test portfolio of over 1,000 applications.

© 2012 Quest Software, Inc.

Manage all your devices: Windows 7, iOS or OSX

Doing my bit to help out the team here...

This webinar should be an interesting one as we get to find out how to manage your iPhone and your Mac Air while still managing your Windows legacy kit...

Find out more here: 

Live Webcast: How to Manage All Your Devices from One Console
September 27, 2:00 p.m. (EDT)

Ready to take control of your multi-platform environment? On Thursday, September 27, join Microsoft and Quest to learn how you can manage all your devices from one console – regardless of platform! 

With Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2012, coupled with Quest Management Xtensions (QMX), you can distribute software, push profiles and apps and more to iPads, iPhones, Apple notebooks -- and, of course, to your Microsoft Windows operating system devices.

Register now »

Quest UWM Webinar and Session Calendar Update

It's back to school and time to get back to work - so, I thought I would post a brief update on some of the Quest UWM (User Workspace Management) seminar and webinar calendar dates.

Here is a quick reminder for those in Europe: 

How to Deploy Windows 7 with Ease
Speaker: Microsoft & Quest
Friday, September 14 10.30 a.m. BST

Link: How to Deploy Windows 7 with Ease

And if you care about application compatibility, application packaging or just getting applications deployed to your user base, you should check out the Packaging Event in the Netherlands.

Packaging Event, Amsterdam, NL

Date: October 11-12 2012

The ChangeBASE team will  have two speaking slots and a workshop at this Packaging and Compatibility focused trade-show. 

See details of these below:

• Speaker Session, Oct. 11: “User Workspace Management and Application Readiness” (Sophie Tidman, Systems Consulting Manager): Find out how to easily prepare your applications for migration to new Microsoft Windows and Office platforms, new Internet Explorer versions, and virtualized desktop and application environments.
• Speaker Session, Oct. 12 : “Application Compatibility Beyond Windows 7 – Turbo-Charging Your Packaging”(Ann Maya, Senior Workspace Technologist): Learn how automated packaging and an integrated MSI editing tool can dramatically accelerate adoption of not only Windows 7, but Windows 8, App-V 5.0, Windows Server 2012 and more.
• ChangeBASE Workshop, Oct. 11: (Led by Ben Cook, Systems Consultant and Sophie Tidman, Systems Consulting Manager): See firsthand how our unmatched solution can find and fix application compatibility issues  in minutes, and then provide you with a wide range of reports — from high-level overviews to technical details. 

You might have heard that Dell now has a special interest in Quest. 

You can read more here: http://content.dell.com/us/en/corp/d/secure/2012-07-02-dell-acquisition-quest-software

As part of this acquisition process, DELL and Quest are getting together and having a "Lunch and Learn" where you will be able to find out how Dell and Quest make a great team to deliver your migrations faster.

Topic: Accelerate and Simplify Windows 7 and 8 Deployments for Any Device

Wednesday, September 26, 2012 - Pasadena, CA

Registration

Thursday, September 27, 2012 - Salt Lake City, UT

Registration

Have Fun!

Quest TEC Conference 2012: Barcelona

Just a quick note that I will be presenting some of the ChangeBASE application compatibility and virtualization tracks at the Quest TEC conference in Barcelona this October.

What is the TEC Conferencce? Here are the basics:

The Experts Conference (TEC) Europe 2012, along with the first-ever Quest User Conference. TEC Europe will be held Oct. 22-24, at the Hotel Rey Juan Carlos in Barcelona, Spain, and will take place in conjunction with the Quest User Conference, Oct. 23-25, at the same location. 

TEC Europe will feature advanced technical training focused on enhancing the skills of the most experienced users of Microsoft® directory and identity; Exchange Server; virtualization and user workspace management; and PowerShell technologies. The Quest User Conference will provide expert training on Quest products and peer-to-peer networking with industry colleagues, along with Quest product development and executive leadership.

You can find out more here:

http://www.theexpertsconference.com/europe/2012/virtualization/

And, you can register here: https://www.questeurope2012.com/TEC/