Windows 7 is a Perfect Opportunity?
I’m afraid I have to agree with some of my friends. Windows 7 is Microsoft’s revenge on those of us who thumbed our noses at Vista and said we’ll wait. Windows 7 is available and Microsoft went out of their way to make the upgrade difficult for those who did not upgrade to Vista. Oh well, that’s life.
On the other hand, Windows 7 is a perfect opportunity to get your I.T. house in order. If you have never created a hardware and software asset inventory, now is the time. You (or your service provider) already have to visit each computer. You may as well “write” down the information and store it somewhere (your IT manual, hard drive). You will need this information in the future. It isn’t a question of “if” but “when”.
A basic hardware asset inventory is a list of each desktop, laptop, server, network appliance, printer, uninterruptable power supply and any other device connected to a computer or your network. You need to collect the following information about each device:
| Vendor (e.g. Dell) | Function (desktop, laptop, server, firewall) |
| Model (e.g. Vostro 430) | Date in service |
| Serial Number | Device user |
| Hard drive size/Free space | RAM |
While you’re at the computer, make a list of all of the installed software. Now, I’m not talking about .Net or those other programs that come with the computer. You need to look for all the software that was added to the computer. You need to collect the following information for the software asset inventory:
| Vendor | Application & Version | License Key | Computer Installed On | User Assigned |
| Sage | Timeslips v10 | <locate the original disk or you can find it in “Help About” | Serial Number | Who uses that computer? |
As you look at the list for each computer, notice which software is obsolete. Those applications you won’t need to reinstall. Now, go find the installation discs for the rest of the software. If you find only one copy of WordPerfect X4 and it is installed on 10 computers and you didn’t purchase a multi-user license, your company is guilty of software piracy. This is the perfect time to remedy that situation.
The friend or employee who installed the software may have tried to save you money, but piracy could cost you dearly (http://bit.ly/bhmoC).
So, look on the bright side. The upgrade to Windows 7 won’t be a walk in the park, but it is the perfect opportunity to:
1) Create a software asset inventory.
2) Create a hardware asset inventory.
3) Clean out old software you don’t need.
4) Discover unauthorized software and get legal.
Wishing you safe passage through the IT Minefield!
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These topics are discussed in greater detail in Navigating the I.T. Minefield: Straight Talk for the Small Enterprise. To purchase your copy, please visit http://bit.ly/SNL4W.
Leslie Knight is a small business consultant with over 20 years of experience in Information Technology management in Fortune 500 companies. She applies her experience in Corporate America (saving them millions) to smaller entrepreneurial enterprises. She is also the author of Navigating the I.T. Minefield.
