Business Case for Win 2000

A very generic business for Windows 2000 would go something like.

1. More security.

Higher levels of encryption on the accounts database (AD) mean that passwords are more secure.

Kerberos Authentication means that user authentication is inherrintly more secure.

IPSec provides point to point packet level encrption for added data security.

2. Greater Flexibility

AD allows greater administrative flexibilty, you can delegate ANY administrative task to ANY user.

3. Networking Services

Much better support for mobile users via VPNs and/or Dial in support, potentially using RADIUS authentication.

Better integration of DNS as primary name resolution service, and integration with AD for better security on name records.4. Better manageability

Using Group Policy to manage clients/servers at a more granular level. Provision of all aspects of security/desktop/lock down from a single deployed object. Ability to install/uninstall applications remotely from users desktop.

There are several good whitepapers on Microsoft's TechNet Site (www.microsoft.com/technet).

paul

Put more simply:
1. Remote software loading- the app installation files are kept on the server and automatically loaded when the client needs an application to open a file. Very cool. And, you can deny the user file changes like oops I hit the delete key- even if you don't, the applications will autorepair themselves from the server files. Gotta love it.
2. Roaming login- the user's desktop, settings, etc. are stored in a profile on the server and loaded for them no matter which Win2K machinethey log on to. Broken computer? No prob, here's a fresh Win2KPro machine, go back to work on the same desktop in 10 mins- 5 with a laptop.
This includes My Documents too btw, Folder Redirection makes anything they put in My Docs go to a folder onthe server.
3. 5 9's reliability- W2K is advertised as staying up 99.999 percent of the time. never counted, but it does a much better job of handling problems, and doesn't require reboots to change TCPIP settings - that's worth a cheer or two!
4. All the technical stuff that makes it easier to use (sorta)- it has good step by step help and wizards, if you study up Active Directory you can mimic your organization pretty good, the backup saves "System State" in case of a prob- we did a systemstate restore today, from a mysterious overnight problem of no AD or login allowed. From totally dead in the water(rolling blackout, I think, or janitor unplugging issue) we took an hour to come back up just the way we left it the night before. There's plenty more but you'll have to hit the MS site for it :)
Good luck!