Microsoft demonstrated a new feature of NT 5.0 called IntelliMirror, which, through caching and synchronization, automatically mirrors a user's applications, customized settings and data to a server.
Users then have access to all of their data regardless of whether the client is networked.
Officials contend the centralized data feature will ease administration and, therefore, lower long-term system costs. IntelliMirror will be fully supported in NT 5.0 and partially supported, perhaps as an OEM Service Release in Windows 98. DeVaan described plans for future Office features such as self-repair, which would allow a user's file to be replaced if deleted or lost, and installation on demand, which would intelligently install files such as templates from a server as needed. Other Office features in the pipeline include support for roaming users, meaning a user can log onto any networked client to retrieve personal data and customized settings. Again, the centralized control over the suite of applications could help reduce administration costs, said DeVaan.