March 8, 2010

Windows XP move over; Windows 7 is “Business” Ready

With Windows Vista having never received more than a lukewarm reception (at best), many eyes have turned towards Microsoft’s next OS. The company says it has learned from its mistakes and promises to do better this time around with Windows 7. Since it will come pre-installed on most new desktop PCs and notebooks, Windows 7 will inevitably gain a certain installation base. The situation was different when Windows Vista was released, as many users chose to stick with Windows XP for the time being. That won’t be as much of an option this time, since most companies no longer offer XP. Of course, manually downgrading will still be possible if you have an installation disc and a valid license. On the other hand, Windows 7 is generally being seen in a much more favorable light than Vista anyway. It looks like a lot of users may give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt.

Windows Vista was harassed with many complaints and negative reviews but high hopes are set for Windows 7. Windows 7 has created hustle and bustle and has become the talk of the town. Windows 7 flags many new features that are smooth and highly finished. Many enhanced features have been introduced such as new graphical features, enhanced task bar and security that makes it safer and user friendly. Additionally, it does not demand hardware upgrades that were needed in Windows Vista. Microsoft released and made available beta and one release candidate for public testing process for Windows 7 which is the largest shareware trial period offered by any and it does not prove to be irritating as Vista was. Microsoft is providing the users with six versions of Windows 7: Starter, Home Premium, Professional, Ultimate, OEM, and Enterprise but basically three versions are being promoted by Microsoft; Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate.

The best improvements that Microsoft has made are in taskbar that features pinned program, jump lists, aero peek, aero snap, aero shake, etc. It is now quite easier to resize the windows, change theme packages. With windows media player you can stream media files, over the network, to another computer. Device stage allows you to combine printers. Native search features have also been improved in Windows 7, all the files that are added to hard drive can be easily indexed. use your fingers over mouse with new touch features. Many new features have been introduced in Windows 7 that surpasses the reputation created by earlier operating systems. Windows 7 is obviously not a Vista service pack. Windows 7 has a lot of new features and is clearly designed to fix all bad things people said about Vista. This means that Windows 7 is what Vista should have been in the people eyes. Windows 7 will totally feel like a revelation from the glassy future if you are coming from Windows XP. You’ll definitely say that Windows 7 is much better than Vista if you are upgrading your computer or laptop from Vista.

The bad effect of Windows Vista

Clearly, the public opinion of Windows Vista has left a deep impact on Microsoft. However, based on the biggest Windows 7 beta testing process in history, we can say that it sure won’t look like the upset Vista launch at all. There was a solid chance that your computer ran like crap or your programs didn’t work if you installed Vista on your PC within the first month of its release as the drivers compatible with Vista were not available. But that’s not the case with Windows 7. Windows 7 hardware requirements are basically the same as they are for Vista and it runs better than Vista on that hardware. Windows XP was a great OS of its time. Windows Vista failed to wind people hearts. But what people said about Windows 7 was that it is more fast, solid and the easiest Windows yet. Windows 7 is something people can grab without fear.

The Windows 7 Professional edition is designed for small business users.

It includes all the features of Windows 7 Home Premium, and adds the ability to join in a Windows Server domain. Windows 7 Professional offers various features that you won’t find it in Windows 7 Home and Starter editions. Additional features include features like Remote Desktop server, XP Mode, Network Backup, Offline files, AppLocker, BitLocker to go and ability to join a domain.

1. XP Mode: Windows 7 supports virtualization, so you can run Windows-XP-compatible applications. XP mode will allow you to run your existing applications on Windows 7 system. Windows XP Mode is an add-on for Windows 7 Professional and higher that comes in two parts, each of which has its own setup. The first is Windows Virtual PC, a new version of Microsoft’s free desktop virtualization platform, and the second is Virtual Windows XP itself, which is a virtual hard drive pre-loaded and licensed with Windows XP Service Pack 3. XP Mode will be available to Windows 7 Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate users.
2. Backup to network: Doesn’t sound like a big convenience, but beats the pants off having to provide and/or manage plug-in external USB drives when big storage or backup servers are readily available.
3. Offline files: New enhancements to this capability which controls synchronization between local and network copies of files, especially those that support policies about which ones sync and which ones don’t, may be appealing or convenient for IT professionals but probably not to end users.
4. Join Windows Domain: Absolutely, positively essential for most corporate or organizational networks. If users want to get any work done on the business network, they must first log in. If they can’t interact with Active Directory.
5. Remote Desktop Host: A great tool for IT professionals who might need to poke around on, or manage end-user computers remotely. Unless your help desk/IT staff have some kind of analogous third-party tool set, go to My PC, Remote Control Pro, numerous versions of VNC, and so on.
6. AppLocker: It is a secure, easy to use utility that enables IT professionals to determine exactly what is allowed to run on user desktops. It restricts unauthorized software while allowing applications, installation programs, and scripts that users need.
7. BitLocker & BitLocker To Go: This tool protects data on systems and provides encryption for removable drives, with manageability to enforce encryption and backup of recovery keys. Windows 7 extends BitLocker protection to USB storage devices while making the original functionality even easier to use.

October 20, 2009

Windows 7 launch October 22nd 2009!

I’ve received many questions about the big launch so I wanted to take a few minutes to give you the real scoop from a trusted Microsoft Certified firm. As many of you remember Windows Vista  was not a very successful product. Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer has stated that Windows 7 is the result of learning from the failures of Vista through meticulously ironing out most of the wrinkles that annoyed Vista users. I’m not hear to talk about if it will have successful launch, but more of an open information forum about what it might mean to our clients. I would like to inform our clients on the do’s and don’ts as well as other easily understood facts that you should know. Let me be clear that I don’t think an XP user should run right out and upgrade, I believe a Vista user would be first in line but not right away. Be sure to ask us if its a good idea in your specific environment before making any major decisions. Our team here at AMRCON has been working with the operating system for months in our lab environment. We’re not ready to give the green light just yet.

Here are a few facts that should be pointed out:

• Windows 7 will require a clean install: One of the lessons learned from Vista was that not enough integration between OEM hardware and 3rd party software vendors was provided. Thus everyone had issues with drivers and getting applications to run. To ensure a clean slate, the Windows 7 OS will require a complete format of your current drive from scratch, then and only then will you be able to recover your data and install your applications. From a technical standpoint this is generally the right way to go and will help alleviate headaches. I would not recommend doing this yourself with out some form of technical proficiency.
• The Economic role: The economy might play a strategic role in how our clients might look at migrations. In the past new migrations were done along with hardware upgrades, it just made better sense. In today’s economy budgets and planning have been reduced. However, with the leaner version of windows you can get away with migrating on older hardware where in the past new versions meant more horsepower requirements. Both the size and memory requirements have been reduced in Win 7. An eventual migration to Win 7 might be a more cost effective solution to those behind the times. Windows XP stands as the solid OS with 71.8% market share and Vista with only 18.8%. Windows 7 will end up taking most of the Vista share and heavily over time into the XP market. Now depending on just how old your hardware is will determine if an upgrade migration is in order or going with a complete hardware refresh along with the new OS.
• XP Mode?: Since Microsoft caught a bad image with suggesting to XP users to migrate to Vista then to Win 7 when it’s launched, many people had great concerns. Business owners expressing the bad taste they had provided a plan. Win 7 will have a XP Mode where a virtual XP service pack 3 environment can run under Win 7 to avoid breaking compatibility with their older applications. We’re still on the fence with this really bringing resolve to those issues.
• User Account Control: Microsoft boasts about having the right fixes in place from the Vista era. But it has been reported on some blogs that some underlying issues may still exist, it may change with the full version release but something to think about.

Is Windows 7 worth it?

It’s going to be a case-by-case basis so talk to AMRCON about your specific thoughts. We believe it will be a reasonable option for companies looking to upgrade hardware in the new year, but not if they require any 3rd party application such as trading and business automation. These companies will need to wait for their respective vendors to play catch up first. However, they would want to consider bundling an upgrade license when they become available. It would be one less cost they will need to worry about in the future. Besides Microsoft has extended the support for XP a few more years but I hope no one waits until the very end. Reason being we’ll loose out on the full integration and usage of the already deployed Windows Server 2008 R2, Exchange 2010 and Office 2010 when they become available. Most major vendors have already provided fixes to make themselves Windows 7 friendly.

Keep posted as we continue to report on actual build-outs and migrations. If you have any questions in the meantime feel free to give us a call.