Imaging Windows 7 is the process of capturing an image on a single PC. This image can then be deployed to one or more other PCs in the environment. This can be done with the Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK) with more automated tools such as Windows Deployment Services, or with the more advanced enterprise application System Center Configuration Manager (SCCM).
The technician's PC is the PC you use to do the preparation. You install the Windows AIK here and can use it to create bootable USBs, create bootable CDs, and do maintenance on images. You may also choose to store the images you've captured on this PC. You capture an image from a reference PC. A reference PC has the OS installed, applications installed, and any specific security or configuration settings desired.
When designing images for an enterprise, there are many different considerations. What you choose to do depends largely on your needs and on the capabilities of your organization. A significant decision point is whether you have deployed System Center Configuration Manager. SCCM is an enterprise application that can be purchased, and it is the replacement for System Management Server (SMS). SCCM can be used to enhance significantly the administration and maintenance of an organization. From an imaging perspective, it can be used to deploy images, applications, updates, and other packages such as driver packages.
The challenge is that even though it is a solid product, not all organizations have it because it is not a free product. Furthermore, not all organizations have IT administrators who understand how to use it. A typical class to learn SCCM takes a full week. On the other hand, there are several free tools that can be used. These include the Windows Automated Installation Kit, Windows Server Update Services (WSUS) to deploy updates, and Group Policy to deploy applications and settings. If you have SCCM, use it. But if you don't and your company can't afford it, there are alternatives.
A standard image is a single image used as a baseline for all PCs. It includes customization such as additional applications, security, and other settings affecting features and components of the OS. The enterprise then uses Group Policy, SCCM, and/or WSUS to deploy different settings, applications, and updates to users within the organization.
Instead of a single image for everyone, it's possible for an organization to use different custom images for different target groups. For example, one custom image could be used for users in the Sales department, and another custom image could be used for users in the Accounting department. Even with custom images, it's common to use Group Policy to enforce settings and to use other tools to deploy updates.
A role-based image is just another type of custom image. Instead of creating images targeted to specific departments, they are created for users performing specific tasks. For example, an image could be created for graphic artists that includes all of the tools they need. It doesn't matter which department they work in; if that's their job or role, that's the image they receive.
Very large organizations can span different countries supporting different languages and locales. Separate images can be created to support these different users. On a smaller scale, if needs are different for separate regions within the same company, it's possible to create different images for each of the regions.
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