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Get In the Know Before You Go Vista

San Diego, CA, June 2, 2008 — As technology constantly evolves, business owners need to ensure that their employees have the right tools to stay competitive.  One of the biggest decisions businesses face today is if they should upgrade to Microsoft’s Vista platform.  Windows XP has been around for several years and the growing opinion has been, “Why fix what ain’t broken?”  Keeping any company ahead of the technology curve is no easy task and without the right information, upgrades can actually be counter-productive, crippling a business.

So why upgrade to Windows Vista? For one, it’s getting more and more difficult to buy a desktop or laptop with XP.  In fact, Microsoft recently released an article stating that as of July 1st, they would no longer sell licenses for XP, thus forcing its dedicated followers to upgrade to Vista.  So ready or not, here it comes!

Not to worry: with the proper planning your business will adapt to this eminent change and gain some new powerful tools in the process.  Here are a few things to be aware of when putting your business in the hands of Vista.  First, not every PC is capable of being upgraded to Vista.  Most if not all of the new PCs are built to run Vista.  Before upgrading any of your computers to Vista, you will want to run the free “Upgrade Advisor” utility from Microsoft, available from Microsoft’s website.

The Upgrade Advisor will detect any incompatible hardware prior to making the leap to Vista. Depending on the type of incompatible hardware that is found, the user will have to choose whether to upgrade individual components, or simply buy a new PC.  Running this tool on your existing hardware will help you budget appropriately, as hidden costs can suddenly stretch your budget.

Secondly, be sure you get the right version of Vista.  As most users know, Windows XP Pro is the standard in the business world.  With Vista, you have more options. The Vista equivalent to XP Pro is Vista Business, and is the choice for any business that wants to connect their PCs to a server or a domain environment. There are also fundamental differences between the versions of Vista, and software that is compatible with the Business version, may not run properly on the Vista Home line of products.

Last but not least, you need to be aware of your current software and its compatibility with Vista.  Be sure to research your software to ensure they integrate with Vista.  Many software makers are scrambling to catch up and depending on the popularity of your particular application; it may or may not be Vista Ready.  This can actually set your business backwards and certainly add to your budget if new software must be purchased.

We have all heard horror stories of users making the move to Vista early on and running into all kinds of issues. Microsoft has recently released Service Pack 1 (SP1) which has further enhanced the platform’s performance and resolved many of the issues faced by early adopters.  Microsoft Vista can be a great way to enhance your productivity and differentiate your business from your competition.  So, as with any business decision make sure you do your research before pulling the trigger.  Just make sure you’ve done your due diligence before jumping in with both feet.

Xonicwave, founded in 2004, provides IT/network support and solutions to businesses nationwide. They are headquartered in San Diego, CA and support clients from Hawaii to the East Coast. Xonicwave has accumulated over 50 years of experience with its team and strives to the same level of service that larger companies have to meet the growing needs of small business. Xonicwave has received multiple awards (AeA 2006 Finalist for “Best IT Services”) and is also a Dell Certified Managed Services Provider.  For more information on Xonicwave or its services, please visit: www.xonicwave.com or call 866-844-WAVE.

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