'This time around, the key is really the planning,' Connelly says. And although that's true of any Windows upgrade scenario, this time Microsoft's new deployment tools seem to be making the effort worthwhile.

Making it to the end of any Windows migration journey is arduous and painful. Thankfully, those embarking on this path are not alone. Advice abounds, much of it worthwhile. Everyone we spoke with emphasized that taking careful stock of both the software and hardware landscape should be the critical launching point for any migration to Vista. And rather than worry about budget concerns or hardware purchasing issues, mission-critical business drivers should dictate the schedule of your deployment.

Most important, the act of rolling out the software is all about preparation. Take the time to test Microsoft's deployment tools and become familiar with the deployment guidelines presented in the BBD.

'Yeah, there's a lot of stuff,' Sierra Nevada's Ainsworth says. 'But we're just taking it at our own pace.'

Words to live by.