No Windows 7 for recession-struck business

David M Williams
Friday, 31 July 2009 09:09

Business IT - Technology

For a company with a standard operating environment (or even without) rolling out a new operating system is no minor undertaking.

The operating system must be tested with existing applications, particularly after the raft of compatibility problems experienced with Windows Vista.

Typically, organisations will re-build their standard operating environment for the cleanest installation experience, and must then deploy it across their fleet of computers, not to mention provide training and assistance to users.

The second biggest objection reported by ScriptLogic’s survey was concern over compatibility. 39.1% of respondents cited this as a factor for them.

Next, almost 35% stated they were avoiding incurring costs by either skipping upgrades or by entirely postponing new software purchases.

Just under 20% of companies stated their barrier to Windows 7 adoption was a lack of manpower after shedding staff in past months and delaying any new hiring.

This news is a departure from stories typically hitting headlines predicting Windows 7 to be a natural and obvious upgrade.

Ironically, it is possible that Windows Vista caused so many companies to hold off that they have now become complacent and familiar with Windows XP, so much so that there is no longer an impetus for routine change.