The holidays are here, which means 2007 is just around the corner.

It's time for the software companies to roll out their upgrades.  However, many firms have already done this during the fall season and so their annual rite of passage has already taken place.  Yet the most popular software package doesn't follow this annual ritual.  The last upgrade happened 4 years ago and that was a relatively minor one.

That will all change in early 2007.  A major upgrade is about to take place.  It can change how you and your people will work.

                                     

Some upgrades are worth sitting out and letting settle down.  This one I recommend jumping on.  What software am I talking about?  Microsoft Office 2007.  I have been using it during this month of November.

It's not for sale yet.  It will come out in early 2007.  However, you don't have to wait.  You can get to see a preview at the Microsoft site.  You could also download a beta version as well.  You can have the beta version side by side with your 2003 office package with just one exception - you have to use just one version of Outlook, which makes sense, because you can't have your email going to both places.

Some betas are best sat out.  This one I think is OK.  I have one client that already has many people on it.

Microsoft will let you test drive it on the web first if you like - go to test drive.

What do I like most about it?  Here are just a few ideas:

• The workflow is much easier to use.  Gone are the menus with lots of drop-down areas.  Instead, each menu has a vast array of icons and choices lined up across the top for you to choose from.
• You get many more choices with each section.
• Certain tasks are broken into pieces and so much clearer now.  For example, setting up your document for printing is a lot more intuitive.
• Greater horsepower and capacity.  For example, in Excel, you can now go over 1 million rows!

Before you do the beta, check your hardware needs.  It might be time to do the hardware upgrade.

I think it will be worth it.  Make it a resolution for 2007.

For further reading, here is one book that previews Office 2007 First Look by Katherine Murray.