ScriptLogic has made available a free tool to aid IT departments in planning a migration to Windows Vista. The software analyses applications for potential compatibility issues with Microsoft's next-generation desktop client, but users will need additional software to fix any issues the tool identifies.
The MSI Readiness Analyser, available to download from ScriptLogic's website, checks through the Windows Installer file (.MSI) for an existing application and flags up where administrators can take advantage of new technology in Vista, as well as any potential problems that might occur when installing the application on a Vista system.
"A significant issue for those migrating to Vista is whether applications will run properly when installed on the new operating system. Many companies have home-grown applications. For them, the compatibility is critical to ensuring that business impact is minimised during the migration," said ScriptLogic vice president of marketing Nick Cavalancia.
The MSI Readiness Analyser can be used as a standalone tool, according to ScriptLogic, but was designed to be used in conjunction with the company's Desktop Authority MSI Studio, which enables administrators to package up applications into MSI files for deployment.
Businesses have been slow migrating to Windows Vista, with many citing the complexity of rolling it out across the organisation as one of the chief reasons for delay. Momentum is expected to gather once Microsoft's Service Pack 1 update is released, which is due in the first quarter of 2008. The first beta of SP1 is currently being evaluated by selected Microsoft testers, while a release candidate is due for general release to Windows customers in the near future.
Next version of the ubiquitous desktop OS will be a full-scale upgrade 30 Jul 2007
The software giant has released tools to ease deployment and activation, and a toolkit for resolving compatibility issues 22 Feb 2007
Patching, user downtime and productivity issues provide barriers, according to research 04 Jun 2007
First bundle of fixes could boost take-up of latest Windows version 13 Dec 2007
IT departments have an early present this year with the release of Vista SP1 17 Dec 2007
Microsoft has released its service pack 1 update for Windows Vista to manufacturing 04 Feb 2008
Intelligent Energy ramps up funding for R&D and partnerships 04 Jul 2008
Focus on energy savings through fuel efficiency for homes and public and commercial buildings 04 Jul 2008
ActionAid accuses G8 of driving more people into poverty by pursing biofuels and cutting agri-aid 04 Jul 2008
More news
Businesses' new found focus on the environment may be welcome, but according to Conrad MacKerron, it is taking attention away from workers' rights issues – and the credibility of the entire green business movement could be at risk 03 Jul 2008
It may be a year old, but as Dell's Jonathan Perry explains, firms looking to get rid of their old IT kit still need to pay attention to the WEEE directive 02 Jul 2008
Telling customers about your environmental targets is all well and good but, as Paul Thomas argues, they are meaningless if you do not know how they are to be achieved 01 Jul 2008 More in-depth
Post your comment
Send an email to the Business Green editor at feedback@businessgreen.com
