Any IT manager who's been around the block knows about Microsoft's Assessment and Planning Toolkit (MAP), which securely assess IT environments for various platform migrations and virtualization without the use of any software agents.

In other words, it identifies the servers, workstations, and other network devices in your organizations so you can plan your OS upgrades accordingly. And if those upgrades will include Windows 7, you'll want to check out the new MAP 4.0 beta. Here's a rundown of what's new in this big update:

• Windows 7 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment
• Windows Server 2008 R2 Hardware and Device Compatibility Assessment
• Virtualization Candidates Assessment for Hyper-V R2 Server Consolidation
• Integration with the Microsoft Integrated Virtualization ROI Calculator
• Inventory of VMware Server Hosts and Guests
• Enhanced Usability and Improved Inventory Performance

If you've ever had to manually inventory a big network, you know what a time-intensive task that can be. The MAP Toolkit promises to inventory up to 100,000 computers in a matter of hours.

MAP also provides environment-specific upgrade recommendations and virtualization candidate reports, as well as planning recommendations for everything from Windows 7 to Windows Server 2008 R2 to Microsoft Application Virtualization.

The 4.0 beta requires a TechNet account or Windows Live ID. It's available for download now.

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