14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft officials advise business users not to postpone their Windows 7 deployments and start testing IE9 beta, despite speculations on the release of the final version of Internet Explorer 9, early in spring 2011.
Yesterday, September 21, Rich Reynolds, Microsoft Corporate Vice President of Windows Consumer Marketing, posted the company’s latest Windows 7 deployment guidance to the Windows for Your Business blog.
He says that there is a lot of positive feedback from Windows 7 users, as well from businesses like BMW, Intel, Pella Corporation and Expedia, who use Windows 7 Enterprise and the Windows Optimized Desktop.
Reynolds also declares himself satisfied and encouraged by the results from a recent IDC study, which show that almost all enterprise companies surveyed (89%), are continuing their Windows 7 plans and 64% of them are already deploying Windows 7 or will migrate in the next six months.
He advises business customers who are currently testing Windows 7 to move to Windows 7 with Internet Explorer 8, and not to wait for the final version of IE9.
“Until the final code of Internet Explorer 9 is released to the web (RTW), we recommend businesses first move to Windows 7 Enterprise with Internet Explorer 8 so they can immediately benefit from the enhanced security, manageability, web standardization, and lifecycle support that Internet Explorer 8 brings to enterprise browsing, today.
“In addition, thanks to the high degree of application compatibility between the two browser versions, any investments today in deploying Internet Explorer 8 will put you on the best path to transitioning to Internet Explorer 9 in the future.
“Your Internet Explorer 8 migration investments will be preserved when you are ready to deploy Internet Explorer 9.”
He also encouraged business users to start testing the beta version of Internet Explorer 9, currently available.