Microsoft’s Upgrade Avalanche a Challenge for IT Pros

PCWorld: Not only is Microsoft currently working on a major upgrade for Windows, it’s also overhauling Office, Internet Explorer and a host of enterprise applications, including SQL Server, System Center, Visual Studio and the Dynamics line, creating major headaches for IT managers. PCWorld writes, “Microsoft is in the midst of an unprecedented, massive upgrade cycle for its enterprise software products, a refresh wave that represents a major challenge for CIOs and IT managers responsible for charting their companies’ technology strategy.”

Of course, Microsoft is encouraging enterprises to make all the upgrades right away, but most analysts recommend a more cautious approach. “CIOs need to focus on total cost of ownership and return on investment. Once you know what you’re currently paying with the TCO analysis, then you can do an ROI assessment,” said Michael Osterman from Osterman Research.