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MS Windows Vista Position Paper

Approved July 1, 2007

Background

Microsoft released Windows Vista to retail customers on January 30, 2007. The primary objective of Windows Vista is to improve the security of the Windows environment. With Vista, Microsoft aims to improve security, reliability, and manageability; provide a new application programming interface (API) set for developers; and deliver a heavily revamped user experience–all while ensuring compatibility with existing applications.

Features

Windows Vista contains hundreds of new features; some of the most significant include

• An updated graphical user interface (GUI) and visual style dubbed Windows Aero
• Improved searching features that allow more productivity by decreasing search time and increasing search results, while allowing users to search within documents and email messages automatically
• New multimedia creation tools such as Windows DVD Maker
• A completely redesigned networking, audio, print, and display sub-systems
• A Windows Sidebar where a user can place Desktop Gadgets which can be designed for a specialized purpose, like clock, calculator, pictures, slide show, weather
• A new “Sleep” mode that combines Standby and Hibernation into 1 simple and effective way to improve power management.

Vista also aims to increase the level of communication between machines on a home network using peer-to-peer (P2P) technology, making it easier to share files and digital media between computers and devices.

Position

IMT will not upgrade any faculty or staff computers to Windows Vista until Fall of 2008 for the following reasons.

1. Windows Vista Service Pack 1 will not be released until the first quarter of 2008.
2. Internet Explorer 7.0, the web browser that is bundled with Windows Vista, will not work with IFAS. SunGard has asserted that they will not invest resources into assuring the proper functioning of its application with Internet Explorer 7.0.
3. eCollege is not assured to function with Internet Explorer 7.0. This includes the ability to access class rosters and enter grades.
4. The Purchase Order workflow process is not assured to work with Internet Explorer 7.0.

Action

It is university policy that IMT will not deploy or implement a major software upgrade (e.g., Windows operating system, Microsoft Office) until the first Service Pack has been released. Additionally, IMT will thoroughly test all Tier 1 and Tier 2 software to insure proper functionality with all other applications upon which the University relies for its daily operations (please see www.apu.edu/imt/policies/computing_standards.php for a complete description of the software standards).

Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista is not expected to be released by Microsoft until the first quarter of 2008. Hence, IMT will deploy Windows Vista to all faculty and staff beginning September 2008 as part of the annual computer refresh process if testing confirms Vista does not pose a serious risk to the daily operations of the APU user community. The deployment schedule for all other computers will be announced in Fall of 2008. Prior to that time, IMT will not install or support Windows Vista.

Impact

Most consumer purchased computers will come pre-installed with Windows Vista unless specifically requested to have Windows XP. This will impact students who come to APU with new computers in Fall 07 with Windows Vista. IMT’s network infrastructure has not been fully tested and qualified for Windows Vista which may result in limited service(s) for some students.

Deployment Plan

• 2007 Q3
  IMT will begin testing Windows Vista.
• 2008 Q1
  Current schedule for Microsoft to release Service Pack 1 for Windows Vista.
• 2008 Q2
  IMT will complete testing Windows Vista.
• 2008 Q3
  IMT will deploy Windows Vista on all refreshed computers.
  IMT will publish deployment plan and schedule for Windows Vista on non-refreshed computers.
• 2008 Q4
  IMT will begin deployment of Windows Vista on non-refreshed computers.

Additional Notes

The computer recommendations in the Student Handbook continue to recommend Windows XP.

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