ForeSite Insight

Vista is Ready to Meet Your Business Needs, but Does Your Business Really Need Vista?

Microsoft recently released a trio of new product offerings in Windows Vista, Microsoft Office 2007, and Exchange 2007. The long awaited Windows Vista Operating System comes after a 5 year lull since the debut of Windows XP. The latest introduction boasts enhanced security features, but many are wondering if the benefits truly outweigh the cost of implementation.

Is your company ready to dive into a new OS? With 27% of surveyed organizations planning on migrating to Vista within 1-2 years, and 33% looking to implement within 6 months to a year, there are a few considerations that should be addressed before taking the plunge.

1. Is your Hardware up to par?
Vista is known for its considerable hardware requirements, with minimum requisites far more demanding than in any other Windows Operating System. There are actually 2 levels of requirements that businesses can meet, “Vista Capable”, or “Vista Premium Ready”. Only about 50% of PC’s in North America meet the minimum requirements, while 94% of systems are not equipped for Vista Premium.

2. What edition is right for your business and how does the licensing work?
There are currently 5 editions of Vista to choose from, Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Enterprise, and Ultimate. Though it it is not recommended to use a home edition on a company network, there are still a number of factors that will determine which edition would be optimal for your business. The Enterprise edition requires customers to have a Software Assurance or Microsoft Enterprise Agreement. Additionally, a new upgrade program is available which allows consumers to upgrade to higher editions. Known as Vista Anytime Upgrade, this feature may be a great benefit for small business owners.

3. How will your day to day business be affected?
One major consideration that needs to be taken into account is the daily applications that are used to keep your business up and running. An overview of Microsoft’s Application Compatibility Toolkit can assist in making this decision; however precautionary measures should always be taken before any implementation is performed. All mission critical applications must be tested beforehand, and all data should be backed up. A business plan should be pre-determined that outlines a course of action, in the event that an application fails.

4. Have you considered the people factor?
The hardware and the software are not the only issues that need to be addressed. If there is not a benefit for the company, and the employees, it may not make sense to switch operating systems for all PC’s at once. As there will inevitably be a learning curve, as with all new processes, training will be necessary for even those who are somewhat computer savvy, and this may require additional IT support as well. Though random migration is not recommended, it may not be necessary to switch each PC, and train each employee, all at once.


5. So what is this actually going to cost?
To really get a sense of the cost/ benefit of switching to Vista OS, all of the above factors must be given careful consideration. For some, it may be an incredible asset, and for others, it may not be necessary right away. Licensing fees, and hardware cost are not the only issues that need to be noted. Application and Backup Testing, including any potential modifications must be addressed, as well as the cost and time required for training, and additional IT support.

Windows Vista is finally here, and ready to support your business needs, but you really need to stop and consider if your business needs a new operating system, or if it may be of more value to wait. With the introduction of services packs and improvements that will certainly be released, it may not be necessary to rush into any major technology overhaul. If your business is ready and prepared for a complete system transformation, then be sure that all factors have been considered, and a complete plan of action is in place.

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Attention Wolfpack Fans

ForeSite is once again partnering with your Hartford Wolfpack to present the 2006-2007 "Save of the Game". Along with this partnership, we get some great seats at the Wolfpack hockey games and want to share them with you, our valued clients. If you are interested in tickets to a game this year, email Rosey Das and she will distribute on a first come first served basis. Enjoy the game and see some of the best action at http://www.saveofthegame.com/.

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