How To: Determine if it’s the right time to change your OS

Here are some things for you to consider before taking the OS upgrade plunge.

After much hype, Microsoft’s newest operating system release in almost five years, Vista, became available to business users in November 2006. Vista has flashy features and updated capabilities that can only run on hardware that has enough power and memory to support them, however for that reason, there are a whole new set of system requirements for this new OS that are more demanding than previous Windows operating systems such as XP and 2000. Before you upgrade, consider the following:

Inventory: If you are considering an upgrade, start by inventorying every PC, noting the peripherals and software installed on each one. Purchasing new hardware is an expense that many businesses haven’t considered – and upgrading existing machines isn’t inexpensive either. What is needed to make each PC compatible with a new OS will vary. If your business’ current PCs don’t meet the OS requirements – especially when it comes to the need for increased memory and processing power--then you can either upgrade the existing computer(s) then install Vista, or purchase all new machines that come with the OS already installed. Small and mid-sized businesses will need to compare what’s involved with buying new systems versus purchasing Vista and upgrading your current PCs. In many cases, the time, cost, and potential for frustration when upgrading an old computer with a new operating system may not be worth it.

More support: To change an operating system is to change the way the employees’ computers work. Long after the upgrade is complete, users will have many questions as they endeavor to learn how to perform their jobs with a new OS. Also, most software that is new to market is going to be accompanied by some unforeseen kinks or bugs popping up that must be addressed. You need to consider if your IT staff has the availability to deal with these added responsibilities.

Vulnerabilities: The previous point leads us to another consideration – the potential for flaws in any new operating system. A new OS can often be fruitful ground for hackers. Many security flaws have already been found in Vista – and as with any new operating system, it will take a while for all the issues to be discovered and dealt with.

Backups: If you decide that you are ready to upgrade, it’s critical to back up all PC files first. Symantec’s Ghost Solution Suite is Vista-ready and can help make the migration as easy, worry-free, and cost-effective as possible.

Conclusion
An operating system upgrade isn’t as simple as installing new software and then sitting back to enjoy all the new features. A new, more powerful and feature-rich OS demands more computing power than many businesses currently have in place. Even after hardware upgrades or purchases, a new OS can introduce a new set of challenges for its users. There may be a decrease in productivity while employees adjust and learn how to use the new OS, and the IT staff can get bogged down with help desk requests. An OS migration should only be made after carefully weighing the pros and cons – and if you’re not ready to do it now, there will always be time to do it in the future.