Why upgrade?

[chvchk]

I have a scenario where my company of 50 users is currently and somewhat happily using Office 97. There's a new feature in our ERP/MRP software that allows synchronizing between Office applications and the software but only with Office 2000 and higher. I've done some shopping around and have been quoted for a software assurance package for Office 2003.
Now I'm trying to prepare myself to approach the powers that be that an upgrade is needed. Of course they're interested in the dollars it will save them over what we're already using in which event, I'm at a loss. I don't know how to present it as a benefit to our company as we're performing just fine with Office 97.

There is no planned budget for IT. When we have a need, I (Being the only IT personnel) present it as a request and it's either approved or denied.

I have a really hard time trying to justify an expense such as this even if I feel it's a good idea.

Can anyone help me with explaining how office 2003 will save our company time and essentially money over office 97?

 

[carrr]

What immediately comes to mind:

1) Review the life cycle of Office 97

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;en-us;lifeOffice

2) How can you expect to handle files that come in from the outside formatted in Word 2003, or turn out sophisticated Powerpoint presentation? You're going to be in quite a pickle if you want any portability using Access 97.

I can understand wanting the most for the dollar, but it's seriously time to consider an upgrade.

 

[AnotherHiggins]

In addition to carr's suggestions:

I'd start with the "new feature in our ERP/MRP software that allows synchronizing between Office applications and the software". Surely it will save man-hours if you can set this up to synch automatically.

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[tf1]

I'd agree with CARR. If we were talking about an upgrade from 2000 or XP to 2003, I'm not so sure that I would be that enthusiastic. Office 97 was crude and unstable and is way outside support if you meet any serious bugs. You will also hit other brick walls sooner or later too, not just the ERP/MRP.

Office 2000 was much more stable and feature rich than 97, but I'm not so sure that XP was such a good step forward - though there are many points to like about it. Office 2003 was much better than XP and even more stable.

The problem that you will face sticking with 97 is more and more new software will not work with or recognise it. It won't work under the next version of Windows (unless it is used in Virtual PC) and compatibilitity will become a bigger and bigger issue.

You need not to sell an Office upgrade to your company. You need to sell them that they must have an IT plan. They need an IT plan. They need to budget for IT. What happened if their IT stopped working overnight? Is it business critical to them?

If they suddenly need to upgrade Office for compatibility with other busineses, then find that they need a newer OS platform to run it, then find that it won't run on their old hardware so all the workstions need replacing and that all the server software needs to come up to date too and that all needs new hardware... suddenly, they need a huge new investment. And is the network OK with a good managed Switch, CAT5 cabling, etc.

They need to plan ahead and budget for it. The days of buying a PC and keeping it for 10 years without changing anything are long gone.



Regards: tf1