Disk Image Software

Disk imaging tool allows you to create an image file that contains a replica of the operating system and associated disk partitions of the target computer. This image file can then be stored and transferred across various channels like intranet, cloud, repositories, etc., depending on the organizational requirements.

What is Disk Imaging Software?

A disk imaging software allows users to create an image that contains the hard drive content, partition details, and OS partitions. The chosen partitions will have all installed apps and configurations carried across. All of the information gathered from imaging a hard drive will be kept as an image on a network share. The disk image tool can then distribute the image after being compressed to the user's specifications.

How would disk imaging tool help you?

• Backup your data and restore in various data loss scenarios like system crashes, malware attacks, natural disasters, etc.,
• Improve safety and simplify data recovery by storing the images in multiple on-premises and cloud locations.
• Enhance convenience by deploying the image file to multiple machines across various channels like USB, ISO, PXE, and the internet.
• Increase the productivity of your IT team by cutting down the time required to set up new machines.
• Helps maintain compliance standards and government regulations.
• Automatic user profile backup can help with seamless data management and user migration.
• Boost accuracy by automating all manual workflows thereby eliminating manual errors during imaging and deployment.

What can disk imaging software do?

Imaging: As mentioned before, disk imaging software will enable you to create a replica of the operating system, settings, and user files of the target computer.

Backup user profiles: It will back up user profiles and will help you migrate access permissions, preferences, security settings, and configurations unique to a user account.

Application deployment: Accelerate the machine setup process by deploying relevant applications and drivers along with your OS image.

Specificity: Employ granular customization by curating settings like user profiles, computer names, computer domains, and user accounts specific to each computer.

Disk adjustment: Optimally utilize the free space in the target hard disk by automatically extending the data partitions in the unallocated space.

Compression: Seamlessly compress your disk images to a smaller size to simplify the transfer of the large disk images.

Shrinking: If the target disk size where the image is to be deployed is smaller than the image size, disk image software allows you to shrink the image before deployment.

In addition to these features, Windows imaging software can function as a cloning software/backup software depending on the organizational requirements.

How much will a disk imaging software cost?

The cost of disk imaging software may depend on various factors like:

1. Type of the licensing model: User-based licensing, machine-based licensing, deployment-based licensing
2. Availability of features
3. Number of computers/users
4. Subscription model: Annual, Monthly, Perpetual

How to choose the best disk imaging software?

With the availability of multiple disk imaging tools in the market, it can be baffling to choose a single provider from the available options. Though it is advisable to choose the best fit for your organizational requirements, the following general guidelines will help you make the right decision:

1. Automated driver management: Choosing a disk imaging software that allows you to automate driver collection and deployment will help you save valuable time and effort.
2. Hardware independent deployment: If your network has computers from multiple manufacturers, creating and maintaining a reference image for each version can be tiresome. A hardware-independent solution can help you deploy a single golden image to multiple computers.
3. Cost: Choose the right licensing model based on your imaging and deployment requirements to optimize costs. The licensing models can be user-based, machine-based, or deployment-based.
4. Ease of use: A simple UI to guide users in their imaging and deployment process can go a long way in transferring knowledge to new users and improving productivity. Also, strong customer support can help you streamline any problems in the workflow.

What are the different types of disk imaging tool?

Though the primary function of a disk imaging software is to image and deploy operating systems, it can also be used for a variety of purposes. Thus it can be classified into different types based on the unique needs of the organization:

• Backup software
• Imaging software
• Cloning software
• Incremental backup software
• Partition backup software