The IT Division (IT) is engaged in a number of initiatives to help reduce the cost of workstation acquisition and support for our customers. Many of these efforts involve Windows workstations and include:

1. Migration of NT4 users to Active Directory. IT has approximately 150 accounts (of which 120 or so are active) left to migrate. IT will eliminate the NT4 domain infrastructure by the end of August, based on progress made to date.

2. Desktop security. This includes patch deployment and verification. IT continues to improve how we determine what needs to be done to protect Windows systems, while meeting the requirements of the University of California, DOE and other oversight agencies.

3. Automatic inventory collection. Implementing a system to electronically collect hardware and software inventory information from managed systems has many benefits. This data can be used to plan an effective replacement strategy, plan for software upgrades which have dependencies on other components of a system and lead to major productivity improvements in the way we do our annual property audits.

4. Berkeley Lab Computer Store. IT is developing a better way to find and buy standard workstations. These efforts can increase the economy of scale associated with the use of commodity desktop and laptop systems. The Berkeley Lab Computer Store will act as a portal to contracts developed by Procurement Division staff over the next year.