Microsoft Upgrades – When are You Planning to Implement?

I was thinking today about the consequences of upgrading to Office 2007. The obvious questions are:

• When can I afford to upgrade?
• When it is sensible to upgrade?

I have been viewing Microsoft’s free e-learning courses on the changes and differences in Office 2007 and have found it to be really different. Here is an article that gives you insight into how different it is.

These major differences mean that even for a seasoned Microsoft office user like me there will be something of a learning curve to deal with. I have to admit that I am pretty much dependent upon the Microsoft Office suite and although it was never my favourite, I purchased and learned the applications because I worked with so many people who use them. I cannot see that changing in the near future by any means. So, I was thinking that it makes sense, finances permitting, that as a VA I should upgrade sooner rather than later.

In all honesty it makes sense to wait until the first set of fixes go out, but after that it also makes sense to be fairly up-to-date with a product as popular as Microsoft Office, not only for our own use (as VAs) but also to be a source of knowledge for our clients when they transition.

Now transitioning to the new operating system Windows Vista is going to take a lot more thought. Two distinct camps of for and against have come up about Microsoft Vista that makes me want to definitely sit down and wait, while the rest of the world works out how useful it really is, and for Microsoft to make sure it really does work well. Here are some very strong comments that I read recently, in Forbes online But again, I do realise that I do not have much of a choice and am pretty much stuck with having to upgrade to Microsoft Visa, but assume that this one will be later rather than sooner. The two great improvements that Vista offers small businesses are:

• Enhanced security
• Remote management

What is a girl to think and, more importantly, do? Do you have any thoughts or knowledge on these new applications? Can you share them, please?

Comments

[Margot Thompson]

I can't wait to sink my teeth into it! I've heard via the grapevine that although there are some changes that will take major habit adjustment (like losing the menus), Excel changes into something truly beautiful and that Powerpoint just becomes absolutely exceptional! YAY! I really can't wait to see it.

And I want to add, that I think you're a brilliant VA to be thinking ahead to having all the knowledge and experience of "kinks" and "idiosyncrasies" down pat in order to help your clients navigate through them when they're ready. Kudos to you Petra. You are simply fabulous.