Should you implement MS Vista for your business?

Microsoft's latest desktop operating system, Windows Vista, has been among the slowest to be adopted by business users. Many IT experts (including C&G Consulting) and businesses have been waiting for the release of "Service Pack 1" before considering business use of the software. As with all technology investments, the decision to implement or not to implement Vista should be made for business reasons.

CNET reports that US Businesses are beginning to warm to Vista, with nearly half of IT managers reporting that they're using or evaluating Windows Vista:
http://www.news.com/Poll-Businesses-in-U.S.-warm-to-Vista/2100-1016_3-6226572.html?tag=topicIndex

Since Windows Vista is a desktop operating system, the chief questions to be answered from a business perspective before deciding to implement it at your business are:
  • Does Windows Vista run all of my business software?
  • Is there a return on investment for upgrading existing computers to Windows Vista, or should only newly purchased PCs be ordered with Windows Vista?
  • What should the training budget be to make sure users are comfortable performing their work using Vista?
  • Will your organization benefit from upgrading Microsoft Office to the 2007 version at the same time?
The answers to these questions are unique to your business.

Several technical factors outside your business must also be considered. Microsoft is readying a new version of Windows called "Windows 7". It is currently on schedule for release in 2009. Rather than facing the same upgrade questions for the desktop operating system within 18 months, some organizations are planning on skipping the Windows Vista platform to implement Windows 7. Their logic is that business software compatibility for Vista will likely mature by the release date of Windows 7, and since Windows 7 is an evolution of Vista, business software compatibility will be less of an issue at that time. Microsoft is actually enabling businesses to choose to skip Vista by continuing to sell Windows XP Professional, and has extended the deadline for its discontinuance several times in response to pressure from business customers.

All these variables make the Vista upgrade decision highly subjective to your business. Attend our webinar on Wednesday March 12th (email to register) to see Windows Vista for yourself or contact Michael Senkbeil (msenkbeil@c-gconsulting.com) at 262-522-8248 if you would like to discuss what Vista strategy your business should take.