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There is much abuzz about Windows Vista. If you haven’t heard, it is Microsoft’s next operating system, set to release later this month. You can check out the features here:

I think it is amazing the impact of a new operating system to application developers, partners, and ultimately the end users/customers. Consider a major service pack release to an existing operating system…

When Windows XP Service Pack 2 was released, it created quite a bit of havoc for many, as users were uncertain how to respond to a rash of security warnings when launching their daily
applications (“I never had a security warning before, is our application safe to use?”). To be fair it was a double edged sword, Microsoft customers were experiencing significant productivity losses, due to security issues in Windows, and while some could prepare for the upcoming security patch to help (those in the know about service pack 2), many small business owners could not. The result: users were confused slowing productivity at best, as many had to determine what to do with the security warnings, or, at worst, troubleshoot why their application was no longer working.You may be asking, “What does this have to do with ACT!?”

What does this have to do with ACT! you ask? Glad you asked. With the forthcoming release of Windows Vista it seems like Microsoft has done it again. As it pertains to Vista, initial reports are a bit more drastic, in fact ACT! by Sage will not work for many. Reportedly, anything older than ACT! 2007 will NOT run on Windows Vista. This is due to the development environment Vista and ACT! was created in. For simplicity sake, let’s just say that ACT! 2007 was developed in a “Vista aware” environment. Whereas older versions of ACT! were not (afterall Vista wasn’t close to release during ACT! 2006 and prior development cycles). Furthermore, initial reports are that Sage Software won’t be able to put out a patch for customers to make it work, as this is an operating system issue…oh yeah, Microsoft owns that.ACT! users running Windows Vista would have to upgrade to ACT! 2007.”But I don’t have plans to upgrade to Vista anytime soon…” The reason I’m posting this now (as oppose to after my first hand experiences), is that computer makers typically offer a free upgrade
to an operating system when customers purchase close to its launch. If you own an incompatible version of ACT! this could spell trouble. So you buy a new laptop, and you get the Vista upgrade in the mail. With glee you stick the disk in to the computer to install the Vista ‘upgrade’, and
experience first hand that your customer management database application no longer works. You do have the option to Upgrade ACT!, but now you are forced to upgrade, instead of having a choice to do so. I don’t know about you, but in my experience customers don’t typically respond kindly when forced to upgrade. Not a huge deal when it is for a single license (depending on flavor, upgrade is $129-$229), but what if this is for 5 or 10 workstations or more? Becomes a significant cost, not to mention the cost of implementation and downtime.

So be aware, if you are an ACT! user, and intend to upgrade to Windows Vista, be sure your version of ACT!, and any other critical software application is compatible. Windows Vista looks very pretty on the outside, and it may well measure up to the signature marketing that is behind it. However, consider the impact to your business, and make sure all is well with your applications on Windows Vista first. Otherwise, your ‘upgrade’ may create an unexpected ‘downgrade’ to your pocketbook.

UPDATE: Check out this very informative link on the ACT website about supporting Vista, Office 2007, and IE7.

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