Is this the one?

[chuckr]

I work for a large company and the IT guys tell me it will be at least until SP1 comes out. We are using XP Pro and still some NT for desktop boxes.

When an IT shop has 100s (or 1,000s) of desktops to take care of, any switch is traumatic. Couple that with learning a "new" GUI, and there's a lot of push back.

Imagine teaching all those people how to use the computer all over again and you see the problem.

Here's where a good instructor or two would make all the difference in the world.
Assuming there exists a 'Training" department, they should be preparing as of last year or so,
around Beta-time.
After all, they're 'professionals'.

Most of 'those people' know how to click a mouse, so they're computer-literate.
Now, they just need to learn 'where' and 'how'.
I'd try to tell 'em 'why'...

 

[TheSchaft]

The company I work for has over 140,000 full time employees. I have two systems on my desk, some people have four (all connected to different networks). There are also a lot of contractors who have desk space in the various facilities.

You can see the problem rolling out any change entails, let alone a new OS that looks different and would have to operate with some custom software.

 

[zigzag3143]

theschaft

You know whay they call rolling out something new? Lifetime job security

 

[Barman58]

I too understand the enormity of upgrading a large corporation - However I also believe that for the majority of users upgrading the OS itself is not a major concern - what concerns users is change to what the use - the applications.

The average corporate user will have many more issues converting from Office 2003 to Office 2007 than from XP to Windows 7 .

The experience of the Beta testers for windows 7 has shown that application or hardware support is not a major issue with Windows 7 and the applications are recognisable running on 7

The people who actually interface with the OS are the more advanced user and they are probably capable of making the change .

The group that are most effected by potential change are the IT departments that have to actually get the system working, and of course have they the most say as to what and when changes.

A lot of IT people I have contact with do not have a desire for change - for some XP is all they have known.

Microsoft has to persuade these people that the change is needed - not the actual users, or the Small Office/home users, (they use the OS on their PC as Shipped), or of course the enthusiasts, they've already made the change*

 

[TheSchaft]

Nigel -

We are still converting some applications from VAX to PC. There are a not insignificant number of custom applications that only run under NT or XP, so the users will be affected there also.

Further, with that many systems/users, you will get a herd of folks who will call support to find out how to do the most common things involved with just running a program.

Finally, the systems have to be reviewed and approved by the Government for use.

Bottom line - I wouldn't want to be working in IT for my company right now.

 

[Dinesh]

My company still uses Windows 98. :shock:

   Tip

American Express, please read this and get a life.

 

[Barman58]

Nigel -

We are still converting some applications from VAX to PC. There are a not insignificant number of custom applications that only run under NT or XP, so the users will be affected there also.

Further, with that many systems/users, you will get a herd of folks who will call support to find out how to do the most common things involved with just running a program.

Finally, the systems have to be reviewed and approved by the Government for use.

Bottom line - I wouldn't want to be working in IT for my company right now.

I feel their pain Especially as they require official sanction to move forward. There are of course special circumstances that apply to every enterprise system which may effect decisions - what I do see a lot of is department's who delay the progress for reasons other than cost, (hardware software & re-training), or compatibility, and the end user suffers through not having better tools to work with. This can also hold back company efficiency.

I suppose this is just human nature - why create work for yourself when you don't have to

 

[Zidane24]

I will say that half or more time spent by Office workers is spent doing nothing...I know many a colleague that could finish what he accomplishes in 8 hrs in less than 3...It is not about creating work for yourself...it is about actually getting some work done. While their sitting there surfing youtube/msn/some joke website/whatever...they could be researching the new Windows OS and learning the changes. Trust me when the company rolls the OS out and your the only one who knows how to use it...the Boss will notice and that is always a good thing

 

[Tews]

With my luck, Id get all the work while the rest of the office surfed the interwebz...

 

[zigzag3143]

zid, tews

The most urgent calls I ever got were from the VP's who broke their OS and wanted to surf the net. /Quarterly reports could wait but If their IM was down triple overtime

 

[Orbital Shark]

zid, tews

The most urgent calls I ever got were from the VP's who broke their OS and wanted to surf the net. /Quarterly reports could wait but If their IM was down triple overtime

What's this? Who broke me????

 

[zigzag3143]

You're too quick for me. I cant even follow where you are you been slugging red bull today?

 

[Bare Foot Kid]

You're too quick for me. I cant even follow where you are you been slugging red bull today?

Yeah, he's going after it hard isn't he? :huh:

 

[Barman58]

zid, tews

The most urgent calls I ever got were from the VP's who broke their OS and wanted to surf the net. /Quarterly reports could wait but If their IM was down triple overtime

I used to love opportunities like that, subtly dropping the information that this problem wouldn't be a problem if we had updated to this or upgraded that, surprising how easy finance meetings are when the right people are primed :devil:

 

[zigzag3143]

Its amazing how disaster recovery gets funded when the sunday edition doesn't get out. I have literally seen 250K dropped in 24 hours when if someone had follewed recommendations would have cost 40K

Ken

 

[Barman58]

I can remember an occasion where an engineer was called out from home to an emergency at a steel plant - and he set off without the correct documentation to get onto site.

The safety officer at the plant was all for sending him back to get the paperwork to teach the engineer a lesson - until the company production director waived the requirement - funny how the potential loss of 20 000 pounds an hour in lost production tends to adjust attitudes

 

[ultraplanet]

Just found out today that I will definitely be supporting some w7 desktops by November! Gettng a new Nortel VOIP phone system too. Gonna be a busy fall

 

[Dinesh]

Just found out today that I will definitely supporting some w7 desktops by November! Gettng a new Nortel VOIP phone system too. Gonna be a busy fall

Good luck.
BTW, nortel is better than avaya.