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Microsoft has released new editions of its Windows operating system, Vista, as well as its productivity suites Office 2007 and Office 2008 for Macintosh.  Here is some information NACS has collected to help users and departments adapt to and make optimal use of these new tools.

In the summer of 2007, NACS coordinated a series of workshops, partly funded by a grant from Microsoft.  We are currently planning the next series of workshops.

NACS works with its counterparts at other UC campuses to be sure UCI faculty and staff have access to advantageous licensing programs, including UC-MCCA (the Microsoft Consolidated Campus Agreement).

We have introduced Vista and Office 2007 in the AIRB training lab, and will expand their availability as demand grows.

NACS and departmental computing support staff can assist faculty and staff deciding when (or whether) to migrate to Vista and Office 2007. Vista requires a higher-performance system to run effectively, and Office 2007 and 2008 introduce new file formats that are incompatible with earlier versions.  Office 2007 and 2008 offer the option to save files in a backward-compatible format, and users of earlier versions of Office can download the free Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007.

Windows Vista runs most software well, but some specialized research or administrative tools won’t run under Vista. NACS recommends purchasers of Vista systems plan to test their most important applications in advance of purchase.

Today, all new PC purchases running Windows come with Vista licenses.  If running Windows XP is important to you, choose a business-class system from a reseller like Dell or HP, and select a Windows XP configuration.  The University’s strategic sourcing reseller, KST Data, offers a variety of systems preconfigured with Windows XP Professional.  Be aware that obtaining the correct XP drivers for hardware designed for Vista may be problematic.

Microsoft last released a service pack (a collection of software updates) for Windows XP in May, and therefore by Microsoft policy, XP will be supported until at least May 2009.  However, Microsoft has not committed to supporting or retiring XP beyond that date.  Interested users can follow Microsoft’s evolving plans for XP at the Windows Service Pack Road Map web site.

Beginning August 1st, this summer’s line-up includes 4 levels of Access, 3 levels of Excel, 3 levels of Word, and 2 levels of PowerPoint.

Morning or afternoon classes are $79 (departmental recharge required) and will be conducted in various locations around campus including the Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Physical Sciences areas.

For course objectives and registration, log into the TED system (Training and Employee Development) with your UCInetID and click on the Catalog and Enrollment tab. Then type “Microsoft Office” in the keyword box.

The program can only be used by entire organizational units, and costs are proportional to unit size (FTE). This makes the program particularly advantageous for departments with a large number of computers per person, such as units with computer labs. One downside is that this is a subscription (lease) program, and participating units must plan for recurring annual license costs.

This year’s orders under the UC-MCCA agreement must be placed by May 14. For details (package costs, program details, definition of FTE, etc.) or to consult on whether this program would be a benefit to your unit, please contact NACS.

The new Microsoft Academic Select 6.0 (“Select”) and Microsoft Academic Campus 4.0 (“Campus”) agreements allow departments two ways of securing the tools they need.

Some of these changes (such as a more limited range of upgrade paths) constrain UC software buyers; other changes offer significant opportunities for lower costs, with adequate planning. This article can only introduce the topic. If you are responsible for planning software purchases for your department, NACS is ready to work with you to evaluate the new licensing programs and help you make the best decisions for your situation.

“Select” allows for discounted purchases of licenses, upgrades, and upgrade programs. To make the most economical purchase decisions, it is important that software buyers anticipate the usable life of their computers and the frequency of upgrades to software (such as Windows, Word, or Excel) desired on that computer.

“Campus” allows a department to “lease” computer software at prices proportional to the number of staff rather than the number of computers. Advantages include regular software updates, and inexpensive licensing for computer labs.

Changes to Windows and other Microsoft software make it more important than ever to plan carefully, and track the software licensed and installed in each department. Microsoft has also announced retirement schedules for older versions of its software, after which support, upgrades, and security fixes will not be available.

NACS has been working with departmental representatives to help departments assess their needs in light of the new programs. If you have any questions about “Select” or “Campus”, please contact your Computing Support Coordinator, or visit these web sites:

• http://www.ucop.edu/irc/tas/agreetoc.html (UC license agreements page)
• http://www.nacs.uci.edu/licenses/ (NACS software licensing documentation)

Microsoft has made significant changes in the “Select Agreement,” under which the campus purchases Microsoft software at a discount. In the past, it has been possible to decide whether to upgrade a product (such as Word 2000 to Word XP) when the new version is released. Under the new Select Agreement, one must purchase the right to run future upgrades of products in advance of their availability.

This ability to upgrade (called “Software Advantage”) is often not needed or may not make sense given the limitations of particular computers, but having “the upgrade option” now requires more planning than previously. To be able to upgrade your software in the most cost effective way possible, there are certain purchases you must make by September 30th, and additional purchases will have to be made in January, 2002.

In addition, changes to the Campus License Program — which requires annual payment, effectively leasing the software — make it a viable option for some departments, especially those in which there are substantially more computers running Microsoft software than there are faculty and staff (including part-time staff and student employees, each counted as half a full-time staff member).

The presentation will cover both the Microsoft Select Agreement and the Microsoft Campus License Program. Microsoft representatives will be present to help address the finer details and to help provide appropriate follow-up where needed.

For additional information and links about Microsoft licensing as it applies to UCI, please see http://www.nacs.uci.edu/licenses

If you are involved with licensing Microsoft products, please plan to attend the August 29 presentation. RSVPs via http://signup.nacs.uci.edu.edu are appreciated.