You may have read that Microsoft launched Windows Vista, Office 2007, and Exchange 2007 simultaneously last week. Microsoft also has about 30 more products that will launch during 2007, including version 5.0 of Dynamics NAV (had to backspace and change that from Navision...old habits die hard.), and several of their other upgrades to Dynamics products.
All of this is a good thing, I think. Office 2007 has a great new look, the first substantial makeover in the history of the product. I've been using it for about 3 months now, and have forced it on unsuspecting users of my home office computer (my family). All of them have adapted well--in fact, they haven't mentioned it at all, not one complaint (and--believe me--that's unusual). I think end users will like it equally well.
But all of this isn't the issue...I have MS Office 2007 because it comes FREE with one of several subscriptions I get with my Partner Program membership (which, believe me, isn't free at all). So, as long as I've got it, might as well use it.
What about your business? Should you spend the (probably substantial for any business) dollars to upgrade? Should you do it now? Should you wait? How should you decide anyway.
I'm an old business strategy guy. I believe in things like ROI and internal rate of return (IRR). So my answer is pretty simple.
Bottom line.
Not bottom line "colon" as in "Bottom line:" followed by an explanation of what for me is the Bottom line. The bottom line--as in the bottom line on the income statement--is the BOTTOM LINE.
If upgrading to the new version of Office and Exchange and Vista makes you money, your business should upgrade. If not, you shouldn't.
Bottom line.
My take on the new products? I imagine DGG will be upgrading as soon as all of our software is fully compatible with the new releases, and as soon as we can move data to the new release. For MOST clients, at least the Office upgrades will be significant if they are heavy users of the products. Outlook has some significant productivity enhancements as do Word, Excel, and Powerpoint.
But of course, you'll have to evaluate for yourself. Might be a good time to get started. And--by the way--this isn't just a job for the IT staff. Administrative Assistants, Controllers, Bookkeepers and Accountants also need to be involved.
And that...dear readers...is the bottom line.
