Weather the storm by enlisting the help of Microsoft migration experts like PC Helps. PC Helps has successfully assisted in the Windows 7, Office 2007 and Office 2010 migration efforts for thousands of corporate end-users. The PC Helps Migration Assurance Plan is designed to minimize the learning curve and reduce downtime which allows end-users and internal IT staff to quickly regain the confidence and knowledge necessary to remain productive.
Learn more >> www.pchelps.com/emailweb/sd/O2K10_deplmnt/O2K10_lp.html
Anticipating a Microsoft Office 2010 deployment?
July 1, 2010 By
Office 2007 and Windows 7 Migrations: Been There, Done (Supported) That
April 26, 2010 By
Migrating to Windows 7 and Office 2007 is a massive undertaking, no matter your company size. Preparation is vital to a successful transition. Using the information and data points we’ve culled from many successful migrations with our mid- to enterprise-size clients, we have organized this collection of best practices and common occurrences:
Most Common Support Calls
Many corporate workers have been using Windows XP for some time now, so a learning curve with Windows 7 is inevitable. Below are some factors that will affect your employees’ productivity with the new operating system:
- Elimination of the Quick Launch toolbar and the Vista sidebar (if applicable)
- A new taskbar with icons only
- Changes to auxiliary apps like Windows Movie Maker and Windows Mail
- New features like Federated Search, Windows Mobility Center, Aero Peek, Jump Lists
Best Practice – Provide consolidated training on these features before deployment or make sure Windows 7 experts are standing by and are readily available the day of deployment. Downtime is costly.
As for Office 2007, its radically different interface will result in an even steeper learning curve. The design is such a departure that your employees will hit snags just trying to figure out how to perform basic tasks like saving and formatting. Here are some issues that may cause problems: [Read more...]
Bring the Best Team and Game Plan to Your Big Dance
March 25, 2010 By
In the NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball world they have March Madness. Since its 1939 inception, the tournament has built a legacy that includes dynasty teams and dramatic Cinderella stories.
History, though, has taught us that for all of the great underdog stories that exist, the top-seeded teams that have a firm strategic game plan and a strong foundation of raw talent and skill win more championships.
In the IT, help desk and end-user services world we face a similar big event, a Windows 7 and Office 2007 migration. Based on execution, IT leaders can come out a champion, creating their own Cinderella story by proving ROI, increasing productivity and demonstrating end-user confidence and early adoption, instead of assumed chaos. Conversely, IT leaders can end up the loser, crippling productivity, frustrating end-users and damaging help desk service levels if they show up with an inadequate team and insufficient game plan.
Champion your migration – click here for a top-seeded team and strategic game plan.
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Proving ROI Redux: Avoid a Chaotic Migration with a Solid Plan
March 18, 2010 By
I wrote a post last week titled “Six Reasons to Finish Your Office 2007 Upgrade” and received a comment that deserves repeating.
Depending on their game plan, IT leaders can come out champions, creating their own Cinderella stories by proving ROI.
The reader said she upgraded to 2007 but asked to switch back to 2003 because her company didn’t provide any training.
She began her comment with a question: “So, how do you propose to deal with user frustration?”
Here’s how I replied:
“I know how immensely frustrating Office 2007 can be without training and support. If it was installed on your work PC, and your company provided no training or assistance, then I suspect your CIO is either clueless or just cheap. Upgrading employees without any sort of assistance is shortsighted.
“For home PC users, that’s another story. The redesign is jarring, to say the least. As one commenter put it: It’s as if Office was an automobile, and the manufacturer put the steering wheel in the trunk and the gas and brake pedals on the ceiling.
“Here’s the thing: Microsoft’s intent was to make the user interface more intuitive. Whether they accomplished that goal is up for debate. However, a look at the Office 2010 beta version reveals that the Ribbon is here to stay, so sticking with 2003 will only lengthen the learning curve.”
In a recent ad campaign, my company framed it in basketball terms: [Read more...]
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