Windows 7: Will it Benefit Your Business?

Everyone’s talking about Windows 7, but will it benefit your business and should you invest in an upgrade?

Known as ‘the new efficiency’, Windows 7 will allow you to do more than before, and what you could do before becomes even more efficient.

 

Before going into more detail, here is a summary of the offerings afforded by Windows 7:

 

• Simplified navigation
• Greater security and less risk from spyware and malware
• Better power management for laptop users – batteries last longer and laptops run better
• The ability to set different firewall and security rules in different parts of your network and locations such as public areas away from your office
• A memory store for network settings of different locations, which can be easily called up
• Built-in system back-up (on some versions)
• Improved compatibility with earlier versions, so you can continue, for example, to work in Windows XP applications

 

WHICH VERSION?

There is quite a range of versions so you must choose carefully, not just with current needs but with future usage in mind. Selecting the wrong version now could mean a lot more expense later should you need added features as your business grows.

There are six mainstream editions of Windows 7 available in two different versions.  Upgrades are also available, but choosing the right version is likely to be a very complicated exercise.

The three most popular versions are all available on new computers and in retail boxed form:

 

• Home Premium: This supports Aero Interface, DVD playback, media centre, Internet connection sharing and IIS web server, while other Home versions do not.  But you cannot join a “domain” (Server) with this version which means every PC in the work group will have its own security settings; something not so bad for home use but not conducive to good business networking practice.

 

• Professional:  As the standard business edition, this is the cheapest of the business versions. It supports the features mentioned for the Home Premium version, plus remote desktop hosting. You can join a “domain” (Server) with this version which allows for central security, meaning you as a business owner has full control over your staff logins and permissions.

 

• Ultimate: This version includes all features and the only difference between it and the Enterprise version is in the licences offered, as Enterprise is for volume purchases.

 

Windows 7 Enterprise is the same as Ultimate, but is only available on a volume licensing scheme. At the other end of the spectrum, Windows 7 Starter is for netbooks only, and is only available from retailers and on new computers.

 

FEATURES

 

There are six main features of an operating system (OS). Here is a summary of how those features work in Windows 7 compared to earlier versions:

 

System speed
Although technically 7’s operating system isn’t any faster, the whole system is widely believed to ‘flow’ better than Vista, ensuring a better experience. There is an improved performance on multi-core processors and laptops especially are said to run better.

 

Memory
If the ability to efficiently run a number of applications at the same time is of importance to you then you’ll need as much memory as possible. It’s therefore useful to know the memory capabilities of the various versions. The 32-bit editions of all versions support up to 4GB of RAM. The 64-bit editions vary, running from 8GB of RAM on the Home version, to 16GB on Home Premium and 128GB on Professional. If you are in two minds about what you might need, talk to us.

 

Ease of use
There have been a number of replacements and removals made in relation to Vista and XP, including significant changes to the task bar and the Start Menu.

Security Centre has been renamed Action Centre which encompasses both security and maintenance of the computer. As is the case with most new systems, such changes may be disorientating at first, but will easily be picked up.

There are new touch and handwriting recognition capabilities. Aero Snap is a drag feature that makes viewing and comparing open files easier, particularly good when you are working across multiple screens.

Compatibility
There is a marked improvement in application compatibility across all versions. In the Ultimate and Enterprise editions, there is the ability to run a (licensed) virtual Windows XP machine meaning 100% compatibility with Windows XP.

Software
Ultimate Extras are gone in 7. Four programmes that previous systems had – Photo Gallery, Movie Maker, Calendar and Windows Mail — are not included, although they are available in a free separate package (Windows Live Essentials). There is a calculator with scientific functions and advanced features. Otherwise, the software applications are virtually standard.

Power management
This means the ability to select options which can cut down on electricity wastage from idle hardware, etc. This is greatly improved in 7 and on the laptop version, batteries last longer.

Security (internet safety and file back-up)
This is the most impressive area of improvement. A multi-network aware operating system allows for different firewall and security rules depending on your location: making your firewall policy stricter in a public place (an internet café for example), but giving you a less strict policy in the office, which would allow the in-house functions to work better.

The system can also remember network settings for different locations, meaning if you move around with your work, your laptop will more easily adjust to different environments and locate peripherals such as printers and scanners with far more ease. Security alerts are also more detailed.

To buy or not to buy?
If you are buying a new PC or laptop then Windows 7is definitely the best option. However, if you are considering an upgrade and you are not sure about whether to invest in Windows 7, whether it would be right for your business or what version to choose, give us a call and let our experts help save you money by making the right decision for you.