Many things have changed in Windows Vista that will significantly help ease the deployment processes. These include the new out-of-the-box imaging technologies, the XML-based migration scripts, new tools for image engineering (ImageX and System Image Manager), enhancements to the unattend.xml format, as well as an updated version of the Microsoft Solution Accelerator for Business Desktop Deployment 2007 (BDD 2007) Beta 1. Microsoft has designed a comprehensive standard and tested set of guidance and automation to make desktop deployment projects easier and more predictable.

An open beta version of BDD 2007 is now available on connect.microsoft.com and enables Lite Touch deployments of Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system desktops with minimal infrastructure requirements. This beta release includes all the deployment tools you’ll need to start pre-production deployment testing. BDD 2007 uses an integrated deployment workbench, built on top of ImageX, System Image Manager, Windows PE 2.0 and WDS.

If you want to get started, visit connect.microsoft.com and apply for the Business Desktop Deployment 2007 (Beta) for Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office system program.