Windows 7 Survey. January Afinety, Inc Balboa Blvd., Suite 370 Encino, California An Afinety Survey Report

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1 An Afinety Survey Report Windows 7 Survey Results of Afinety Survey Exploring the Current State of Planning and Migration Readiness for a Potential Move to Microsoft s New Operating System within the Legal Community January 2010 Afinety, Inc Balboa Blvd., Suite 370 Encino, California Phone: Toll free: 8774AFINETY Website: Blog: afinety.blogspot.com

2 CONTENTS Introduction... 1 Who Participated... 2 Current Operating System and Software... 3 Interest and/or Issues with Windows IT Planning Process and Considerations... 9 In Conclusion About Afinety... 12

3 INTRODUCTION In Fall of 2009, Afinety set out to begin preparing for easily, the biggest Microsoft release in years, their new operating system, Windows 7. Considering the struggles Microsoft faced with Vista, it is no surprise that this new version of Windows came out so quickly and with so much hype. The advertising for Windows 7 is unavoidable and promising that regular people, just like us, claim to have designed this new operating system. It appears to be the best operating system anyone has ever seen from Microsoft. But does the reality match the hype? And what does this mean for our clients in the legal community? Our marketing research came up rosy and rather generic. Although skeptical of another operating system change just one year after Vista, everyone seemed to like Windows 7. It looked like Vista was out and Windows 7 was in. Nowhere, however, was there any data directly from or about law firms, what planning and migration readiness was taking place for such an IT shift, and what were their specific concerns and issues as to their planning for a possible operating system migration. So we asked. On January 15, 2010, Afinety released our Windows 7 Survey to more than 2,500 lawyers, legal administrators, IT managers, and other members of the legal community. The purpose of this survey was to get an accurate assessment of their questions, needs, and expectations for the new Windows operating system, Windows 7. The survey asked a variety of questions in three specific areas: Current Operating System and Software Interest and/or Issues with Windows 7 IT Planning Processes and Considerations The results have been enlightening. Some data is expected, some surprising, and all of the answers were thoughtful, direct, and shed a great deal of light on the subject of OS migration readiness within the legal community. Page 1

4 WHO PARTICIPATED First, we sought to discover who was participating and what was their role in the firm. The primary function at the firms reported being administrators; however, IT positions dominated when the OTHER category* was defined. Position at Your Firm Other 35% Partner Attorney 4% 4% IT Manager 27% Administrator 31% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% * Answers included: IT Director, IT Analyst, IT Support Tech, CIO, Consultant, Administrative Attorney, Paralegal, Managing Partner, Facilities Project Coordinator, and Manager of Operations. A full two thirds of the participants identified themselves as existing Afinety clients. 35% 65% Afinety Client Not Afinety Client Page 2

5 CURRENT OPERATING SYSTEM AND SOFTWARE The survey also asked about the participants operating system and software that are currently being utilized at their firm, as well as a quantification of their experience with Vista, if they were currently utilizing Vista. Current Operating System 10% 6% 84% Windows XP Windows Vista Other If Using Vista, How Would You Describe Your Vista Experience? 17% 50% 33% Excellent Good/OK Problematic Page 3

6 Next, we asked people about their use of Office Typically, if a firm did not move to Office 2007 by the end of 2009, it is an indicator that there is a need for updates and refreshes across their IT system that need attention. Nearly two thirds of the participants fall into this category. Are You Currently Using Office 2007? 61% 39% Yes No Are You Currently Considering a Move to Windows 7? 31% Yes 42% No Not Sure 27% Page 4

7 INTEREST AND/OR ISSUES WITH WINDOWS 7 In the next section, we asked specific questions that would allow us to gauge what the interest and issues are in the legal industry related to a potential migration to Windows 7. The primary indicator of what interests there are in the new operating system, we gave the participants a list of the top 10 features of Windows 7. We asked the participants to rate their interest in these features from 1 to 10, 10 being the highest. The Windows 7 features listed were: 1. Upgrade directly from XP and/or ability to run on 64 bit hardware. 2. It s pretty. 3. Get quicker access to all of your stuff and keep the programs and files you use the most right at your fingertips (Pin, Jump). 4. Manage open windows more easily: resize and arrange windows simply by dragging their borders to the edge of your screen (Snap). 5. Quickly find what you're looking for: use Windows Search for a comprehensive search to find a specific file, program, or e mail in a few seconds. 6. Live Taskbar Preview: Cut through the clutter and find the window you need and clear away excess windows with a flick of your mouse (Shake). 7. Improved Memory Use: Windows 7 is designed to respond to your commands more quickly by using memory more efficiently. 8. Do more and wait less: improvements that can accelerate sleep and resume to make your PC more responsive. 9. Performance Improvements: Windows 7 is designed to improve the performance of your PC, so it's faster, more secure, and more reliable to help you get more done quicker. 10. Manage devices more easily: manage printers, cameras, music players, and other devices o from a single, consistent, place. Page 5

8 The top five most interesting Windows 7 features were: Performance Improvements Improved Memory Use 33% 31% Do more and wait less Quickly find what you're looking for Get quicker access to all of your stuff 20% 18% 24% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% The bottom five least interesting Windows 7 features were: It s pretty 39% Upgrade directly from XP 16% Manage devices more easily Live Taskbar Preview Manage open windows more easily 8% 8% 10% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% Clearly, this shows that the bells and whistles cosmetic changes were not as important as it is for users to see that the inherent and perceived frustrations with Vista are resolved. Page 6

9 Despite the interest in some of the top features that Windows 7 offers, there is deep skepticism about an impending upgrade to a new operating system. Nearly half of those surveyed find that they are somewhat skeptical about a move to Windows 7, and nearly all of the additional OTHER notes were about waiting for the kinks to be gone from a new Microsoft product before upgrading. How Skeptical Are You About a New Operating System? 47% 33% 10% 10% Not Somewhat Very Other When asked what was needed for them to be more comfortable with a move to Windows 7, the answers were very clear. Comprehensive planning and strategy Hands on review of the OS Live demonstration More information specific to firm s needs Hearing testimonies Other, please specify 10% 24% 29% 43% 47% 53% 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% The consensus on OTHER responses was that a need to get the kinks out of the new OS prior to upgrading was stated. Page 7

10 When it comes down to decision time on a migration such as the one to Windows 7, there are key decision making factors that preside over the outcome. These are often the result of previous upgrade training frustrations or tightened budget in the current economic environment, as seen in our top two answers. Key Decision Factor(s) About Moving to Windows 7 Cost Training issues on new software/systems Timing Convincing/Educating the key decision Need further information Other, please specify 14% 29% 39% 35% 57% 65% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% OTHER answers included overwhelming compatibility concerns, all of which can be overcome with proper migration readiness and strategic upgrade planning. Page 8

11 IT PLANNING PROCESS AND CONSIDERATIONS Considering that the number one factor in making the decision to move to Windows 7 included the appropriate migration assessment planning and strategic systems evaluation, it was a value to see what types of planning and strategic thinking was being done at law firms to ready themselves for a potential OS upgrade. What IT Planning Has Your Firm Done in the Last 12 Months? 41% 12% 31% Afinety Network Health Assessment (NHA) Internal IT Audit 16% Security Review Other, please specify OTHER responses included: nothing formal, none, and as little as possible. Page 9

12 The age of a network system is a litmus test for the need of a refreshed system. When Was the Last Time Your Network Was Updated? 31% 14% 37% Less than 1 year Between 1 2 years Between 2 3 years 18% I have no idea For the participants who answered either I have no idea or Between 2 3 years, it might be time for a refresh. Planning, such as our complimentary service, the Afinety Network Health Assessment, would be of value in your decision making and migration readiness assessment needs. Page 10

13 CONCLUSIONS Our many thanks to all of you who participated in our survey. This data will help Afinety to continue to provide relevant, specific, accurate, and quality IT results for our clients. Don t Pay Too Much Now to Keep Your Current System Alive If you have any questions about your own firm s migration readiness or if you would like to take advantage of Afinety s complimentary service, the Network Health Assessment, please do not hesitate to contact our Afinety Account Executives today. David Teuber Downtown Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley dteuber@afinety.com Mark Ledesma West Los Angeles and South Bay mledesma@afinety.com Angie Moskalenko Orange and San Diego Counties, San Francisco Bay Area amoskalenko@afinety.com Page 11

14 ABOUT AFINETY Afinety provides complete IT services for small and medium sized businesses. For over 24 years, our focus has been law firms. Our unique Standardized approach is designed to increase your efficiency and decrease your bottom line costs. Whether you d like to completely outsource or increase the potential of your in house IT, Afinety offers affordable solutions that simply work. Solutions Afinety s standardization approach combined with our Complete Product Solutions keeps your network running smoothly all day, every day. Let Afinety help you successfully navigate unforeseen IT obstacles through proven "standardized" solutions to ensure your business security and continuity. Services Afinety provides a full range of computer support services for small and mediumsized businesses. Providing high quality IT services since 1986, many of the products and processes in our solutions are at the heart of most Fortune 500 companies. This approach is rarely adopted in the small to medium sized business markets. Afinety's proven strategy provides a solid, high performing, long term foundation for your network. Network Health Assessment Contact us for a FREE Network Health Assessment. We'll analyze your network and business requirements then deliver a customized, cost effective plan that will save you 40% or more on high quality IT solutions and services. To read more about our standardization approach and how Afinety can help you to gain the IT solutions to ensure your business security and continuity, visit our website today at or check out our blog at afinety.blogspot.com. Page 12