Given the official release of Microsoft Windows 7, you may be considering an operating system migration for your company. Every 2-4 years, Microsoft decides to unleash its latest and greatest version of Windows and moving to these new environments is never as quick or easy as they market to the user.

Being personally been involved in migrating environments from Windows 95 all of the way to up to the current evolution of Windows (Windows 7), there has never been a time where it went 100% transitionally smooth.  Consider the following before migrating to a new operating system:

  1. Cost vs. Value. It is very common for businesses to have older workstations in place.  Often these systems are out of warranty.  It costs money and resources to upgrade each computer.  Be careful how much time and money you spend on an older system.  Buying a new computer with the new operating system may be a better investment.
  2. End user training.  A typical soft-cost that is often overlooked is the time involved in retraining staff and loss of productivity during this process.  New operating systems have new look, feel, and functionality.  There is a very real cost in getting your staff retrained. Oftentimes this cost is difficult to estimate since some users are more tech-savvy than others.  For the most part, people do not like change – especially on their computers.
  3. Application compatibility. Software writers like to take their time in ensuring they have a version of their product that is compatible with the latest version of the operating system.  Just because a new version of Windows is out, doesn’t mean your business applications will work on it.  Take care to discuss these issues with your software company and IT provider before making the move.
  4. Licensing costs. Make sure to discuss with your IT provider the best ways to purchase your operating systems and licensing as there are many discount programs available.

If you plan appropriately, a successful operating system migration can be performed in as little as a weekend with only minor support required on Monday morning.  Without the proper planning, however, you will experience major business interruptions, loss of time, money, and productivity.  Talk to a reputable computer services firm before taking the dive.  Performing upgrades to your operating system is something you can’t put off forever. Put in the appropriate time and resources with a trusted technology partner and you will find the potential pitfalls of making this major change will be minimal.

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