Perhaps this scenario describes your desktop software situation: Half of your end users use Office 2007, and the rest are still running Office 2003. All you’ve heard from the former are “Where’s the file menu?” and “How do I save a document?” From the latter, you’ve likely listened to endless grumbling about their frustration with Office 2003-incompatible files created by colleagues.

Part one of a four-post Office 2007 migration series.

It needs to be said: Finish what you started.

According to a leading industry source, more than 50 percent of enterprise-sized IT infrastructures are running mixed Microsoft Office end-user environments. The reasons are many.

The Recession: During the past two years, IT budgets were cut and some employees were let go, leaving Office 2007 deployments incomplete.

Misjudgment: IT leaders were unaware of the amount of work that went into a migration. A dearth of internal resources to handle increasing call volume and demand for training halted phased rollouts.

Choice: IT leaders who weren’t mandated to deploy Office 2007 to the entire company chose to migrate in more of a “drip” fashion. Only those who requested the upgrade received it.

It’s not just user frustration you have to worry about either. Managing a staff that is running two versions causes pain for the company in other ways: compatibility issues, limited return on your Office 2007 investment and a semi-knowledgeable internal help desk.

Below is a sampling of the most common Office 2007 issues for end users.

All Apps:

1. Completing basic tasks such as opening and closing files, applying formats, printing and setting application options.

2. Inability to customize the ribbon and Office bar.

Excel:

1. Sorting and filtering data in a completely changed interface.

2. Applying conditional formats in a completely changed interface with many more choices.

Outlook:

1. Confusion due to partial implementation of the new interface and changes in the parts that resemble the 2003 interface.

2. The difference between opening and previewing attachments.

Word:

1. Formatting changes in documents both on conversion and in compatibility mode.

2. A thoroughly revamped mail merge feature.

PowerPoint:

1. Custom animations created in earlier versions not working properly.

2. Changes to the way templates, masters and slide layouts work.

The pain doesn’t need to be great, however. With a plan in place, you can cost-effectively finish your Office 2007 migration while minimizing the end user and help desk learning curves.♦

Stay tuned for part two, which will give you the information you need to get it done.

MORE INFO IN: Office 2007 Migration Case Study | Office 2007 Migration Assurance Program | Migration Readiness Checklist | Migration Competitive Analysis | Contact PC Helps

Jenny Sweeney Finish What You Started, Office 2007 Migration Assurance Program learning curve, migration, Office 2003, Office 2007, recession