Take Small Business on the Road

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Numbers Do Not Lie

Every day there many people complaining about Windows Vista. On the other hand it would appear that there are many more quiet and happy. The negative side of things has a way of being louder then the positive. If you are angry you want to tell everyone how terrible it was. On the other hand if you are happy you don’t have a lot to tell anyone. You sit back and enjoy the time you are having.

It is unfortunate that anyone has had a bad experience with Windows Vista, but lets look at the numbers showing how many have had a good experience. Including preorders Microsoft hit revenues of $5.3 billion on primarily Windows Sales. That is 67% higher then last year. Even if you remove the preorders it is a jump of 17% over last year. Also Microsoft reports that 85% of Windows sales are for Vista.

So to all of us who like Vista, lets talk a little bit louder. Lets be proud of how well Vista is working for us. Lets drown out the complainers and enjoy the great capabilities of Windows Vista!

Time is running out.

The time on Windows Vista Beta is running out. Microsoft announced that if you are using a Beta version of Windows Vista you have until May 31st to back up all your information and either purchase a full license for Windows Vista or downgrade back to your previous OS.

Starting on June first customer using Beta versions will be able to log on for 2 hour sessions. After 2 hours of use the PC will reboot without opportunity to save date. Microsoft strongly recommends that Beta users have their OS taken care of before May 31st.

Vista Compatible

Everyone has likely heard by now that Microsoft is being sued over the Windows Vista Capable labels. The labels have been referred to many times as misleading because they indicate only capability of running Windows Vista Home Basic and not the Premium Edition. The other part of this is that Microsoft has advertised the Premium Edition and not the Home basic.

Now does this really call for a lawsuit? In my opinion no. This seems equivalent to filing a lawsuit because you paid for something and the next day it was on sale. Or bring a lawsuit against Ford because you got the low end model that does not have all the features of the high end.

Compatibility only refers to the fact that it will run. Are the computers Vista compatible? The answer is yes and that really should be the only question.

Give Vista a break

There are many people disputing the validity of Microsoft’s release that they have sold over 20 million licenses in their first month of general release. One of the big complaints about the number is it includes licenses sold to OEMs. And it should, when an OEM buys software from Microsoft it goes from Microsoft’s hands to the OEM’s hands. Microsoft counts that software as sold, the OEM is responsible for their own tracking of their business sales.

It seems that many people find it very easy to put Vista down for anything that they can find. I started thinking about it and I remember how many people thought Windows 95 looked nice, but was a bad idea. The next “bad idea” was Windows ME. Then looking back there were many people that said they would never go from Windows 2000 to Windows XP. I will admit Windows ME was not a very good OS. But 1 out of 3 tell me that odds are in Vista’s favor.

Microsoft continues to Add Value!

Microsoft continues to provide opportunities for partners to add value. This time it is a new feature for system builders. Microsoft already gives a large discount on OEM software for system builders. In Windows Vista, Microsoft has built in some advertising opportunities. System builders can now add links and information to the Welcome Center. This is a great opportunity for a system build to advertise other products or services. Imagine if you could give all your customers instant access to all of the services that you can offer.

This gives the system you a chance to give something extra back to the customer. Access to Welcome Center gives you chance to generate future sales with your customer. Who knows when your customer might need a new printer or more ram. Products you happen to have advertised on the Welcome Center screen. Really it is free advertising and who can’t use free advertising? Enjoy this new service and work to make sure you add as much value for your customers as possible.

Need antivirus for Vista?

What antivirus software will work with Windows Vista? Since Windows Vista came out antivirus software companies have been working to ensure that their software will continue to work with the new operating system.

ESET’s NOD32 was one of the first antivirus software companies to offer 64-bit support for both home and business users. Version 2.7 offers full Vista compatibility. If you currently have a valid NOD32 license the upgrade to version 2.7 is available at no charge.

Trend Micro has released a version of PC-cillin antivirus software that will work with Windows Vista. However the Client/Server/SMB software is still waiting for an updated version to work with Windows Vista. The updated version is expected to be released soon.

Are you ready for time to change?

As some of you know daylight savings time is coming a little early this year. In fact daylight savings time is coming three weeks earlier then it did last year. Sunday March 11^th will start daylight savings time and many software programs could be effected by the change.

The time change should have no effect on Windows Vista, Exchange Server 2007 or Windows SharePoint Services 3.0. There are however many programs that do need updates. Windows Server and Windows XP will need updates. I know that many businesses have been delaying the change to Windows Vista, but now might be the time to do it to avoid any time change problems.

There are some other programs that will require updates and you can find that list here. Also if you do need updates you can find the updates here. I hope that the upcoming time change goes smoothly for everyone. If nothing else just don't forget to set your watch.

Microsoft Downloads

Some new Microsoft Open License products are available for download. This download option can save the customer some money by eliminating the media kit from the order. Windows Vista, Office 2007 and Exchange 2007 are all available for download. In order to get the download you need to sign in to http://eopen.microsoft.com. Then you will need to put in your authorization and license number.  After your license information has been entered you will be able to download the software. On the left side of the page you will see a link for Software Downloads. Click this link and follow the prompts and you will be able to finish your download.

Get the Ultimate!

Windows Vista Ultimate is the most comprehensive edition of Windows Vista. It is the first operating system that combines all of the advanced infrastructure features of a business-focused operating system, all of the management and efficiency features of a mobility-focused operating system, and all of the digital entertainment features of a consumer-focused operating system. For the person who wants one operating system that is great for working from home, working on the road, and for entertainment, Windows Vista Ultimate is the operating system that lets you have it all.

Windows Vista Ultimate is available under open licensing. The upgrade to Vista Ultimate is only available to Software Assurance customers so if you want to ensure that you are able to get Vista Ultimate make sure you add Software Assurance to your OEM licenses within 90 days of purchase, and to your Open License products at the time of purchase.


Also take a moment to check out WasatchWare for Custom Software Development Solutions. More information on WasatchWare is coming soon.

Windows Vista and Office 2007 Available!

Microsoft Windows Vista is now available to all Microsoft customers.
Microsoft Office 2007 is also now available. Some organizations may not be ready to make the change to the new releases. Microsoft does sometimes allow customers to use a previous version with the current license. See the
Microsoft Downgrade Chart for more information. If anyone has started using Windows Vista or Office 2007 I would love to hear how it is going so far.