Each user of an office system experiences the structure through their Desktop computer. This computer system is, therefore, a very important component in the user's perception of the system as a whole.
  Although the network environment may be very rich, and the office filled with data and communication services, an inability to use these services is a common complaint among users. Training is a major part of a solution, but so is a desktop system that presents a quality environment to the user.
   Improper installation of programs such as Microsoft Office can lead to endless frustrations when the user tries new features. This is sad, as some of these features can be important parts of the software and others may greatly increase productivity. Most large software packages benefit greatly from performance tuning.
   This is also evident in the Windows 9x, NT, and 2000 operating system environments themselves. Many users are first frustrated by the defaults that Microsoft considers an "ideal" work environment. Native installations of these operating systems are greatly improved by some basic system configuration changes.
   Installing a common interface to these programs inside a company is another challenge. Changes made to one system may need to be repeated in turn at each computer on a network. There are techniques (such as registry modifications) that can automate these changes, once certain conditions are met for computers on a network. These conditions include standardized boot routines, where computers are updated periodically at startup by routines from central fileservers. SoftProse Technology, Inc. has developed procedures for configuring and maintaining hundreds of machines from a central location, using startup software and standard operating system tools. Other services (including Windows 2000 and NT scripting, and Microsoft's Systems Management Server) can be employed to give similar results.
   Important tools for tuning systems (especially Windows 9x clients) involves the use of Windows Script Host (WSH) and DOS batch files for certain procedures. WSH scripts are the basis for our Logon technology for Windows 9x clients to NT and Windows 2000 servers. Although batch files appear at first to be archaic, they are also quick to write and edit, use a very established technology, and get the job done in an efficient manner. We consider them to be a very effective tool in performing system maintenance, and offer several examples in our Batch File Library.