Should small businesses upgrade to Windows 7?
Creation Date : Sep 21, 2009 10:01 AM | Modification Date : Sep 21, 2009 10:01 AM
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: Nov 23, 2009 8:44 PM
byBruce Ackerman
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I think small businesses should upgrade if it makes good business sense to do so. I'm not convinced that there's a compelling reason to upgrade right now. That said I use Windows 7 and I do like its usability in many ways. Still not digging the incompatibilities with older programs though. It's still *way* better than the bad experiences I had with Vista.
I'm not a bandwagon jumper and advise people that if the systems they have now are not broken then don't fix them. In the end everyone will pretty much be forced to upgrade their older versions of Windows for various reasons including minimum system requirements for third-party software, lack of support from Microsoft and third-party vendors, and the fact that Windows 7 (and its successors) will come pre-installed on new computers unless you ask - and pay extra - for something different.
Thinking about all of this makes me long for the DOS and Windows 3.1 days when everything was much simpler.
Kevin Beaver
Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, speaker, and expert witness with Atlanta-based Principle Logic. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional, he has more than 20 years' experience in the industry and specializes in performing independent information security assessments revolving around compliance and information risk management. Kevin has authored/co-authored seven books on information security, including "Hacking For Dummies" and "Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies." He's also the creator of the Security On Wheels information security audio books and blog, which provide security learning for IT professionals on the go. Check out Kevin's security blog or follow him on Twitter.
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Normally, you would want to wait at least 6-12 months before you upgrade to a new operating system. In a business environment we have to make sure that all of the bugs have been fixed and it is best to let others go through the pains of trying and testing a brand new operating system (os).
In addition, when a new os is released the software on your computer might not yet be compatible. Often, the software companies need time beyond the os launch date to make the two work together.
Let's say you make the upgrade and you learn that one of the key software is not compatible with the new os, you could lose a great deal of money.
It also helps to wait for the 1st service pack release. Service packs address bugs and security vulnerabilities.
George Meszaros
George is the CEO of Webene, a leading web presence solutions provider and new media marketing firm. Webene specializes in web design, graphic design, e-commerce solutions, web application development, custom content management systems (CMS), Internet marketing, Pay Per Click management, Search Engine Optimization, email marketing, and web analytics. Author of Triumph On The Web ? Revolutionize Your Business With Simple Online Strategies. He earned an MBA with an emphasis on Technology Management and an M.S. in Computer Information Systems. He has been a Vistage member since 2005.
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For those of you moving to Windows 7 (and who won't be eventually?), I cover some issues you need to think about in my new whitepaper Considerations for BitLocker in Microsoft Windows 7.
Kevin Beaver
Kevin Beaver is an independent information security consultant, speaker, and expert witness with Atlanta-based Principle Logic. A Certified Information Systems Security Professional, he has more than 20 years' experience in the industry and specializes in performing independent information security assessments revolving around compliance and information risk management. Kevin has authored/co-authored seven books on information security, including "Hacking For Dummies" and "Hacking Wireless Networks For Dummies." He's also the creator of the Security On Wheels information security audio books and blog, which provide security learning for IT professionals on the go. Check out Kevin's security blog or follow him on Twitter.
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