3 Reasons Why Corporations Are Going To Hate Windows Vista
Wow, after the overwhelming response to my first post on Windows Vista I decided to delve a little deeper into the reasons why corporations will not like Windows Vista. To sum it up, I don’t think Windows Vista is worth it for the majority of Windows corporate users for three important reasons. My focus is on the corporate user, not gamers or those who need to install Vista just for the sake of running the latest (and greatest?). The folks I am talking about are the IT cannon fodder, systems administrators, cube workers and home users who use their computers for work related activities. The big question facing these users regarding a Vista upgrade is going to be whether or not to bother upgrading from Windows XP. The three reasons presented below might just give them cause to approach this decision very carefully.
1. To get the most from Windows Vista, you are going to need new hardware (again) – As many pointed out in my last post, Vista’s new “functionality” is severely impaired by older hardware. This is not in itself a negative per se, but the fact that Microsoft is trying to sell users on the idea that they can install Vista on existing machines (non-Vista Ready) and get any kind of satisfaction from it is really asking for trouble. Of course the idea that you need new hardware for Vista is most likely part of the overall marketing strategy since anything which may boost hardware sales will please Microsoft’s partners. Bottom line here for corporations is to get friendly with the concept that Vista is a new hardware only platform.
2. Corporate users (and administrators) will have to deal with new license restrictions – As everyone is already aware (and Microsoft painfully so) the current method of issuing corporate license keys is widely abused. With that in mind I can’t really blame them for taking steps to try to curb this practice but it seems that they have gone from one extreme to another. Now it appears that corporations are going to be expected to have to activate every single Vista desktop no matter what. What about corporate networks that don’t have access to the internet? Are these folks looking at having to install activation servers or are they going to have to call Microsoft each time they need to activate? Believe it or not but the reality is much worse! It sure looks like the age old process of automated installs on large groups of machines at once is going to be a tough call for Windows Vista. The bottom line on this is Windows Vista is going to require significant re-tooling for corporations to widely deploy it.
3. The IT help desk is going to be overwhelmed – One really basic observation (that I initially missed!) is that Windows Vista lacks a “Start” menu! Sounds really silly but this is an example of just one change Microsoft has decided to make which will send users running to the local support folks to sort things out. As anyone who has worked in a large corporation knows, you will always have users who can’t stand it when something changes. They constantly want to be “trained” and require hand holding for even the most basic tasks in Windows Vista. It is these users who are going to drive the folks at the help desk crazy. I have always been a strong supporter of change, but with Windows Vista many of the GUI changes and some functional changes don’t really seem to make anything easier for the users. So the bottom line for most corporations with large numbers of users is expect to see an increase in your call volume once Vista starts being rolled out.
In the interests of promoting the facts about what I have stated above I have included several links which you may find interesting:
Microsoft’s current recommended hardware specification for Windows Vista.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/evaluate/hardware/vistarpc.mspx
Great forum post with a round up of all the new licence changes in Windows Vista.
http://www.aeroxp.org/board/index.php?showtopic=5821
Good article detailing the user interface changes for Windows Vista.
http://www.informit.com/articles/article.asp?p=600988&seqNum=2&rl=1
[...] However, the metaphorical storm clouds are a-gathering, and I fear my abilities may not do my job justice. What is this maelstrom bearing down upon us all, you ask? I can sum it up in two words: Windows Vista. [...]
Good point on #3. Numbers 1 and 2 are “Duh!” Number 3, though, is the hidden problem. I noticed it when I saw a demo and then promptly forgot about it. But, most users are lost without the Start button.
[...] And of course Robert is spot on with his criticism of Windows Vista, so perceivably his next article on “Why Corporations Are Going To Hate Windows Vista” is also totally right. With straight facts like ‘Windows Vista lacks a “Start” menu’, Robert has found a one-way ticket to successful journalism. I wish him the best of luck. [...]
[...] And of course Robert is spot on with his criticism of Windows Vista, so perceivably his next article on “Why Corporations Are Going To Hate Windows Vista” is also totally right. With straight facts like “Windows Vista lacks a ‘Start” menu’”, Robert has found a one-way ticket to successful journalism. I wish him the best of luck. [...]
I feel obliged to punch you in the face, unfortunately you’re spouting crap over there, while I’m over here…
I find it very amusing how some people can bash a product that isnt even officially on the market yet…
Martien, I can pick on Vista because I have been using it for several months (RC1 & RC2) and currently have the released version installed on my Macbook Pro for testing. I am working on a full review which should be posted soon and will also talk about the things I liked about the new OS.
no start menu? Anyone who uses Windows will always know that the “start” button is at the bottom left. If the employees are retarted enough to not know that the “start” menu is on the bottom left, they deserve to get fired.
Yawn. It’s blasphemy to even think of employing this idiot…
Corporations will need to activate? They’ll need to activate, but you’re too ignorant to know how. It’s called “KMS” and if your network doesn’t connect to the internet often enough it’s called a “MAK” key.
All companies will use Windows classic. That’s it! Because, you don’t need Windows Aero for stuff like that, Aero is intended for personal use.
And you know what? I’m a member on the forum you’re linking to (AXP). Stop twisting our info and using it for your mac crap. Thank You.
“Now it appears that corporations are going to be expected to have to activate every single Vista desktop no matter what.”
Its quite clear that you completely missed the transparent activation scheme utilized by Windows Vista. Thank you for tagging an opinion based on heavy obfuscation and false generalizations to aeroxp.org. Your endorsement has been well received.
Casablanca & Bryant, I would not call Microsoft’s new activation scheme “transparent” by any means. So how are corporations who have no existing activation infrastructure going to suddenly be able to deal with hundreds of desktop deployments on systems that do not have access to the internet? Based on your own information it sure looks like that process is going to radically change from the volume keys used with XP. So, who’s going to want to deal with that mess when XP run just fine now? And before you go screaming that I am a “mac fanboy” you might want to consider my MCP, MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA and 15+ years of Windows systems administration experience before you continue to prostrate yourself on the altar of stupidity.
“So how are corporations who have no existing activation infrastructure going to suddenly be able to deal with hundreds of desktop deployments on systems that do not have access to the internet?”
They work with companies with special restrictions such as this particular case that you mentioned.
“So how are corporations who have no existing activation infrastructure going to suddenly be able to deal with hundreds of desktop deployments on systems that do not have access to the internet?”
They work with companies with special restrictions such as this particular case that you mentioned. In many cases, companies with computers out on the field can still activate the computers either via a dialup connection or via a temporary connection to the internet when not out on the field.
Hmm. My post went through despite your site saying that it timed out. Anyway, in many cases, companies with computers out on the field can still activate the computers either via a dialup connection to the company network or via a temporary connection to the internet/company network when not out on the field. It all depends on the activation plan; this is where a KMS server would help.
You already acknowledged that Microsoft had to do something in order to deal with the piracy. Unfortunately for them, even if this is an extreme measure, it’s a perfectly adequate solution.
One other detail: many of the companies which would have this type of issue in the first place are part of Microsoft’s various technology adoption programs in order to iron out these exact issues. Smaller companies would probably not find it problematic to activate ten machines which don’t have internet connections.
Bryant, you do bring up some good points but the problem of systems not having internet access still remains. I have no doubt that Microsoft will eventually come to the table with a realistic solution but until such time they do, folks who can’t activate using the current method will have to stick with XP or find another solution. The new activation system also presents problems for those who use products such as ghost to deploy whole labs of machines since they frequently re-deploy these machines based on lab requirements. I am currently in the process of doing a new install of Vista to test Active Directory membership on an internal network so I should have an answer to some of these questions shortly….
I am aware of the comment posting issue. It appears to be related to Akismet and I should have fix for the problem over the next day or so….
want to remove your link to our forum now?
Damn this is the most funny thing i’ve ever read….
“One really basic observation (that I initially missed!) is that Windows Vista lacks a “Start” menu! Sounds really silly but this is an example of just one change Microsoft has decided to make which will send users running to the local support folks to sort things out.”
You got to be a retard if you cant find the “Start” menu in Vista.
Before you waste $500 on VISTA ask yourself this, do i download music, movies or pictures for FREE? if you answered yes than i recommend that you dont get sucked into vista. it is exactly the same as XP accept it looks cooler AND IT WAS DESIGNED TO BLOCK MUSIC AND MOVIE DOWNLOADING. think about it hundreds, thousands of bands trying to make money and everybody downloads thier songs off limewire or morpheus or where ever they can. and what about multimillionare movies, most people like you and i just download them. VISTA has come to gether with an idea, to block all websites that offer FREE DOWNLOADING, to block all P2P software. the other day i decided to upgrade my morpheus and to my surprise anything that i wanted to download would be blocked, i typed in a song, tried to download it and it says, THIS IS A COPY RIGHTED VERSION. they are taking over our entertainment. in 5 years vista will be installed on every computer in the world. go to your daily harvey norman or WOW catalogue and what do you see, every single laptop, pc, now comes with vista. vista only came out like a month ago they would have to be mad to offer it already installed. maybe if you listen to the song DOWNLOAD THIS SONG by MC LARS you will understand. pass this on. tell everybody you know, about VISTA. just amagin, teenagers of the future having to pay for their music and movies.
everywhere you look there is freakin vista. we have no choice they are forcing us to upgrade, thats why all the new computers and laptops are coming out with vista, and then you have to go and buy xp because your not happy with vista. it sucks
not to mention over 60 programs dont work on it including norton anti virus and trend micro. also MSN doesn’t work but i dont use it anyway.
Hmmm… let’s see a list of programs that aren’t vista compatible, or completely don’t work at all? (Mozilla Firefox, DivX, any media players other than Windows Media Player… In my opinion Microsoft has yet again to screw the public over with a crappy program unfinished and unrefined. Half of the programs I Install, I can’t delete because I don’t have “administrator”, another thing, setting up a new network is a joke, they want an ISP and ISP password, which I never even received from my cable company (Charter). How can I set it up another way I can’t… Windows Vista also has security flaws, I’m so damn tired of clicking verify every time I open or close a program, my advice keep using XP for about another two years until they patch this half-ass made OS.
I hate to say this but Windows Vista reminds me of Windows ME. Windows Vista has allot of great features but it can be very annoying if you try to turn some of the features off it gets even worse making you turn the crap back on. Microsoft pushed out Vista to fast probably skipping the testing or the testers were crack heads off the streets in Seattle. I hope Microsoft comes out with something better before Windows XP is no longer supported. I believe ME came out so that Microsoft could finish XP and the same thing will happen to Vista
I feel sorry for the suckers like me that went out a bought a retail copy of Windows Vista and that wasn’t cheep.
Now Microsoft is saying you can not buy retail Versions of Windows XP after June 30 2008. And will stop selling to PC manufactures in January 2009. I thought this was a free country which we could buy what we want and use what we want but I guess Microsoft doesn’t see it that way and is going to rewrite the constitution in their Windows lifecycle policy.
Mark my words, allot of companies will go under because of Microsoft’s actions.
For example: A company relies on Windows XP to run their business Microsoft states that they can still get Windows XP but they have to buy a retail version of Windows Vista business or ultimate (300.00 each PC) which will allow companies entitled to (down grade rights) back to Windows XP. This makes no sense to me. I guess its true Microsoft hasn’t a lick of common sense.
Allot of programs don’t work with Windows Vista allot of companies use proprietary software and hardware. This will make the companies to rewrite the software, and hardware so it will work with Windows Vista, I wouldn’t want to even know the cost that would be.
Also allot of none proprietary hardware, software doesn’t work with Windows Vista This doesn’t only hurt small companies, large companies, Many Governments, it will hurt you, and tax payers can you imagine the amount of all the U.S. government entities will have pay, to go through the same process.
Until April 2009 only users that purchased a retail version of Windows XP will be able to get free security updates and bug fixes. Costumers with preinstalled versions of Windows XP i.e. with a new PC, are out of luck, so if you still want support for windows XP you will have to go out and buy a retail version of Windows XP DO IT QUICK because the price will go up very high and fast. Microsoft is ripping us off big time. This has to be illegal some how. And after April 2009 you will have to pay for security updates and bug fixes until April 2014 and its over from there.
Wow we are screwed once again buy the Empire called Microsoft.
Microsoft stated that a group of customers and industry partners. Said it would be a good idea to do this and something about better technology I think Microsoft got it backwards. I want to know how much Microsoft paid these people to say this if it is true at all. Oh and were did they find these people living in card board boxes in Seattle.
“The lifespan of every Microsoft product is carefully mapped from launch to retirement. Windows XP is no exception. We do this to ensure you always get the most out of your PC experience”
“We’ve spent more than a year consulting with our customers and industry partners to ensure that we’re doing the right thing. We understand that not everyone may agree with our decision—just as not everyone was happy to see Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME retire (OK, perhaps not ME). “