| Our test shows that Microsoft still has to do | | | | WDDM 1.0 or higher driver. And what I learnt |
| some fine-tuning with performance of Windows 7 | | | | from other pre-testers, upgrading from Windows |
| as Windows XP still performs better in some of | | | | XP is not really a smooth process, it is easier to |
| the tested categories. I am sure, it will take users | | | | upgrade from Vista to Windows 7. |
| a bit to get used to the new taskbar, but as soon | | | | The other hot IT topic I would like to talk about is |
| you make the "mental" switch, you will like it. | | | | business intelligence and analytics. In September |
| But overall, Windows 7 is what Vista should have | | | | 2009, IBM released a report about a survey of |
| been. We tested the RC (Release Candidate) and | | | | 2,600 CIOs who volunteered for a face to face |
| this version was already stable and smooth to | | | | interview. The survey was conducted in 78 |
| work with. With a new taskbar and enhanced | | | | countries and 19 different industries. The absolute |
| graphical features, Windows 7 is finally starting to | | | | top priority (with 83% of all interviewed CIOs) |
| compete with the Mac operating system - time | | | | was business intelligence and analytics. |
| will tell. | | | | No surprise, as better and timely information in |
| Microsoft is offering Windows 7 in six versions, | | | | this kind of economy is extremely important and |
| from Home to Enterprise and Windows 7 will | | | | CIOs struggle to satisfy the information requests |
| support both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Prices are | | | | from management, due to tight budgets. |
| reasonable with around $300 for the Professional | | | | The good news is, there is a new BI offering |
| Version, I recommend to check on Amazon and | | | | available, called BDA which stands for Business |
| then compare with other offers. But be prepared | | | | Data Analysis. It is designed for the midsize ERP |
| to consider buying a new computer, as the bare | | | | market (companies from 50 - 500 million annual |
| minimum for the 32-bit version is a 1GHz | | | | turnover) and no other product can beat their |
| processor, 1GB of RAM, 16 GB available hard-disk | | | | pricing, fast implementation methodology and |
| space and a DirectX 9 graphics device with | | | | product features. |