There were many lessons learned in managing the logistic requirements of moving equipment and people and making sure that they meet each other at the right time and the right place, along with all the peculiarities of tools, know-how and the applicable clearances, to enter the facilities and be permitted to perform their contracted work.
We at ITG are quite familiar with IT refreshes and their complexities, since as a part of our overall IT support for US Government Agencies at home and abroad, we have performed more than 150,000 computer installations and data migrations. These engagements have been distributed across commercial and government markets, encompassing more than 1,850 domestic and international locations.
Coupled with the warranty and service support for over one hundred thousand systems and components, under contracts with multiple U.S. Government agencies and prime contractors, this complex logistical and technical effort requires strict quality standards and repeatable processes, which ensure customer satisfaction and repeatable revenue streams. In support of these activities ITG maintains over 1,230 locations in the United States and availability to near 4,000 available field engineers and technicians making our company uniquely qualified to provide reliable, high quality system installation and support services.
The logistics of coordinating computer equipment and installation personnel, with appropriate qualifications and security clearances are complicated but achievable when handled by experienced logistic experts. ITG has provided acquisition, distribution, and installation of computer systems for the past 27 years and during this time we have developed the necessary communication, tracking, and monitoring systems to ensure that the installation process runs smoothly and our customer's mission is accomplished.
Installation Testing Process:
Transport of components to be installed from loading/staging area to installation area Un-boxing of shipped components Performance of the installation process in accordance with client approved procedural guidelines In conjunction with installation of the new component, de-installation of the existing component and associated peripheral equipment identified at the individual site location Migration of user documents and personnel settings from the old hard drive Installation of the new software image Injection of user documents and personnel settings to the new hard drive Testing and certification of the new component(s) Erasure of old hard drives Boxing of the de-installed components Movement of the de-installed components and all related components from the replaced workstations to an area designated by the local site contact Removal of all packing boxes, materials, and debris from the installation site area to a designated location either on- or off-site. Provision of a "Ready-for-Use" certificate Performance of a customer satisfaction survey
Unit testing encompasses verification of hardware operability, network connectivity, and software functionality at the component and sub-component levels. ITG maintains generic unit testing criteria guidelines for most of the common OEM vendors of computers, network devices, and peripherals. Specific client requirements are incorporated into these generic Unit Test work plans during the project planning phase, to form a unique client focused test plan that reflects organizational needs and desires. While unit test procedures vary and are based upon vendor and component type, a typical computer unit test would include functional and operational verification of the following sub-components: monitor, keyboard, mouse, network card, integrated modem, motherboard, video card, processor, fan, drives, storage, memory, input/output ports, power supply, other specialized hardware, such as adaptive technologies, etc. Unit testing should also include systems parameter verification (i.e., temperature, hysteresis, speed, over clocking, etc.), subcomponent interface and recognition of attached peripherals, driver functionality, and individual software program operability. Documentation of successful test completion should be providing to the client perhaps by the provision of a Ready for Use, (RFU) form.
We at ITG are quite familiar with IT refreshes and their complexities, since as a part of our overall IT support for US Government Agencies at home and abroad, we have performed more than 150,000 computer installations and data migrations. These engagements have been distributed across commercial and government markets, encompassing more than 1,850 domestic and international locations.
Coupled with the warranty and service support for over one hundred thousand systems and components, under contracts with multiple U.S. Government agencies and prime contractors, this complex logistical and technical effort requires strict quality standards and repeatable processes, which ensure customer satisfaction and repeatable revenue streams. In support of these activities ITG maintains over 1,230 locations in the United States and availability to near 4,000 available field engineers and technicians making our company uniquely qualified to provide reliable, high quality system installation and support services.
The logistics of coordinating computer equipment and installation personnel, with appropriate qualifications and security clearances are complicated but achievable when handled by experienced logistic experts. ITG has provided acquisition, distribution, and installation of computer systems for the past 27 years and during this time we have developed the necessary communication, tracking, and monitoring systems to ensure that the installation process runs smoothly and our customer's mission is accomplished.
Installation Testing Process:
Transport of components to be installed from loading/staging area to installation area Un-boxing of shipped components Performance of the installation process in accordance with client approved procedural guidelines In conjunction with installation of the new component, de-installation of the existing component and associated peripheral equipment identified at the individual site location Migration of user documents and personnel settings from the old hard drive Installation of the new software image Injection of user documents and personnel settings to the new hard drive Testing and certification of the new component(s) Erasure of old hard drives Boxing of the de-installed components Movement of the de-installed components and all related components from the replaced workstations to an area designated by the local site contact Removal of all packing boxes, materials, and debris from the installation site area to a designated location either on- or off-site. Provision of a "Ready-for-Use" certificate Performance of a customer satisfaction survey
Unit testing encompasses verification of hardware operability, network connectivity, and software functionality at the component and sub-component levels. ITG maintains generic unit testing criteria guidelines for most of the common OEM vendors of computers, network devices, and peripherals. Specific client requirements are incorporated into these generic Unit Test work plans during the project planning phase, to form a unique client focused test plan that reflects organizational needs and desires. While unit test procedures vary and are based upon vendor and component type, a typical computer unit test would include functional and operational verification of the following sub-components: monitor, keyboard, mouse, network card, integrated modem, motherboard, video card, processor, fan, drives, storage, memory, input/output ports, power supply, other specialized hardware, such as adaptive technologies, etc. Unit testing should also include systems parameter verification (i.e., temperature, hysteresis, speed, over clocking, etc.), subcomponent interface and recognition of attached peripherals, driver functionality, and individual software program operability. Documentation of successful test completion should be providing to the client perhaps by the provision of a Ready for Use, (RFU) form.
About the Author:
A few words about the Author: Deborah Laramie, PMP, Certified Best Practices Consultant, Integration Technologies Group, Inc. or ITG, Inc A few words about the Company: Integration Technologies Group Inc. or ITG Inc. is a Best Practices global IT products and services company that supports clients in more than 1,230 locations in 30 countries.
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