There are lots of good of reasons for small and midsize companies to jump on Windows 7 as soon as it's available. But there are good reasons to be cautious as well. From ease of use to standardizing on the Microsoft "platform," bMighty looks at both sides of Window 7.
As Windows 7's October 22 release date draws ever closer, I recently had the chance to spend a couple hours with Microsoft execs talking about Windows 7's role in small to midsize businesses. Not surprisingly, they shared a number of reasons they thought small and midsize businesses should upgrade immediately. Let's take a closer look at six of those points.
Margo Day, vice president for Microsoft's Small to Midsized Solutions and Partners Group " West Region, had a seemingly infinite list of reasons why SMBs should move to Windows 7. It's not like she laid them out in a nice neat list, but here, on the "Point" page, I'm going to do just that to take a closer look at what's really going on. And then, on the "Counterpoint" page, I'm going to second look and see if there's more to the story.
Point: Microsoft's 6 Pitches For Windows 7 In SMBs
Point 1. Windows 7 is easier to use, so end users need less IT support. Windows 7 is so easy to use, Day said, that "users can begin to service themselves," leaving more time for undermanned and understaffed IT departments to focus on higher-value tasks than tech support. When there is a problem, she said, Windows 7 makes the solution easier to understand
Point 2. Windows 7 increases workforce efficiency with features like the ability to pin applications to the taskbar, to preview apps in the task bar, to "shake" a window to clear the screen, to use Aero Snap to position windows on the screen, and to make gadgets for the time, the weather, and other purposes visible at all times.
Point 3. Windows 7 is a single operating system that will "run great" on all form factors -- including older hardware and netbooks.
Point 4. It makes sense for SMBs to upgrade 3-year old laptops and 4-year-old desktops from XP to Windows 7. "We think upgrading is viable for cash-strapped SMBs," Day said. Because Windows 7 will run on many older PCs and netbooks, it's often not necessary to upgrade the Hardware. Users can see if it will run by checking Microsoft's own Windows 7 compatibility tool. Day put it this way: "If you're going to buy a new PC in next year, then I say peace.' But if reality is a five-year refresh cycle, then success is also getting that Windows XP machine to Windows 7."
Point 5. By adopting Windows 7 as part of a broader Microsoft platform, SMBs can improve efficiency by consolidating vendors and working with a smaller, common set of technologies. "SMBs used to buy Best-of-Breed or by project need," Day said. But that can "be an expensive way to go," increasing costs for purchasing, training, management, integration, "and just plain dealing with vendors." As Microsoft covers a broader range of IT needs - it can become a strategic partner, Day hoped, not just provide tactical, personal productivity solutions.
Point 6. Windows 7 can help SMBs hire better workers. These days, Day said, "People are more technologically advanced at home than at work," and "People want to work where the technology is most advanced."
Some good points here, definitely. But as usual, there's more to the story and not everything adds up that neatly. Check out that side of the story on the Counterpoint page, next...
Next Page: Counterpoint: Analyzing The 6 Ways Microsoft Pitches Windows 7 To SMBs
