Advice regarding moving school UPWARDS from OFFICE 2003.

[kennysarmy]

We currently have around 800 clients and 100 teacher laptops.

 

Office 2003 is installed to our ghost images and then deployed out.

I wrote a MST file and this is called from a batch file when I update images.

(MsiExec.exe /x {90110409-6000-11D3-8CFE-0050048383C9} /qn

\\fp2\ShApps\Office2003\setup.exe TRANSFORMS=\\fp2\ShApps\Office2003\school.MST /qb-)

 

The staff use lots of databases that will require upgrading....

 

A few questions:

 

1. Should we miss out Office 2007 and go straight to Office 2010?

 

2. In terms of upgrade, I can create a new image where possible and roll that out in the summer to around 75% of the PC's on site. Others I will probably have to do a manual uninstall and re-install task. I am thinking I am going to have to hit ALL PC's in one go in the summer as running differing Office versions WILL cause a problem I believe. Any advice in doing this roll-out from others who have done it?

 

Thanks.

[localzuk]

Which MIS do you use? If you use SIMS.net, I don't think 2010 is yet supported, only 2003 and 2007.

[kennysarmy]

yes we use sims.net

 

surely it will be supported by summer 2010????

[timzim]

Roll it out to a test group first so you can iron out any problems in advance of your major roll-out. Your test group could be the staff of just one department but it may save you a lot of potential pain later.

[localzuk]

yes we use sims.net

 

surely it will be supported by summer 2010????

 

It is now Nov 2010, and it isn't supported. I believe it is scheduled to be supported from the Spring 2011 release (someone said new year 2011 but they don't do updates at new year, so that'd be the nearest one).

[creese]

Office 2010 will most likely be supported from Spring 2011 update. But TBC.

 

Office 2003, we have been promised a 6 months notice of ceasing support.

[kennysarmy]

Just found this:

 

The following software is currently being evaluated and is hoped to be available for the Spring 2011 release. This information will be confirmed when finalised.

 

 

 

SQL Server 2008 R2

 

Office 2010 (we currently have no information about when support for Office 2003 will end, but would imagine it would be imminent).

[kennysarmy]

Roll it out to a test group first so you can iron out any problems in advance of your major roll-out. Your test group could be the staff of just one department but it may save you a lot of potential pain later.

 

Problem with this idea is that so many Office 2003 databases are embedded in to the teaching and learning that I would not get it passed by SMT that one dept. or area could be without vital applications. I think all testing is going to have to be with a test PC and OU in our office....not ideal I know...

[timzim]

Problem with this idea is that so many Office 2003 databases are embedded in to the teaching and learning that I would not get it passed by SMT that one dept. or area could be without vital applications. I think all testing is going to have to be with a test PC and OU in our office....not ideal I know...

 

But you can still use 2003 databases with 2010/2007, just need to ensure new DBs are saved as 2003 format. Even more reason to use a test group, if you ask me. BTW I always use the Science Dept as my test group since they're the most IT savvy. Don't use ICT Dept as it interfere's too much with their teaching, especially if they're trying to demo how to do something (e.g. in Office 2003) to the class.

[kennysarmy]

But you can still use 2003 databases with 2010/2007, just need to ensure new DBs are saved as 2003 format. Even more reason to use a test group, if you ask me. BTW I always use the Science Dept as my test group since they're the most IT savvy. Don't use ICT Dept as it interfere's too much with their teaching, especially if they're trying to demo how to do something (e.g. in Office 2003) to the class.

 

Sorry....so you are saying centrally saved office 2003 databases can be simultaneously access from clients running both office 2003 and office 2007?

The example I have is our merits database is an accecss 2003 written d/b which staff access to issue merits and pupils access to review.

[timzim]

Don't see why not, as long as you don't upgrade it or add 2007-only features.

[jcollings]

SIMS might not be supported offically on MS Office 2010 but I've been using both for ages and it seems to work fine.

[kennysarmy]

Thanks for replies....

 

I have requested a price from Ramesys and this is their response...

 

We now affiliate you to the Select program so once you complete the online forms you are able to download media within 48 hours of the forms being completed, this will also supply you your own unique set of VLKs

 

Currently we use the same code for all office 2003 installs and ensure our licences (pieces of paper/invoices) match the number of installs we have.

 

Will this be the same with Office 2010? ie. we can create a central install point with a single embedded licence code in it.....without the hassle of a mass of differing codes....

[localzuk]

SIMS might not be supported offically on MS Office 2010 but I've been using both for ages and it seems to work fine.

 

The reporting aspect has been shown to not work correctly - as Office 2010 has removed various functions from it, which the reporting section requires for use. Others have given examples of it on here.

[localzuk]

Thanks for replies....

 

I have requested a price from Ramesys and this is their response...

 

We now affiliate you to the Select program so once you complete the online forms you are able to download media within 48 hours of the forms being completed, this will also supply you your own unique set of VLKs

 

Currently we use the same code for all office 2003 installs and ensure our licences (pieces of paper/invoices) match the number of installs we have.

 

Will this be the same with Office 2010? ie. we can create a central install point with a single embedded licence code in it.....without the hassle of a mass of differing codes....

 

Yes, it is the same - you use a VLK. However, depending on the number of installs, you may need a KMS server to deal with it.

[kennysarmy]

Yes, it is the same - you use a VLK. However, depending on the number of installs, you may need a KMS server to deal with it.

 

When you say installs...do you mean clients? As this will be a lot higher (c. 900) than actual installs...as that figure might only be around 250 - individual on laptops and then ghost images rolled out....

[localzuk]

When you say installs...do you mean clients? As this will be a lot higher (c. 900) than actual installs...as that figure might only be around 250 - individual on laptops and then ghost images rolled out....

 

Yes, installs = clients. And with 900 of them, I'd say you'd need a KMS server. Microsoft advise a KMS for places with more than 50 clients. As it is activated like Windows, the KMS deals with this rather than having to activate on each machine via a MAK.

[kennysarmy]

Yes, installs = clients. And with 900 of them, I'd say you'd need a KMS server. Microsoft advise a KMS for places with more than 50 clients. As it is activated like Windows, the KMS deals with this rather than having to activate on each machine via a MAK.

 

Thanks....just reading up on this now....seems like a minefield but I am hoping it's not as complicated as first looks....

 

Can the KMS Host co-exist with services on an existing server?

My server layout looks thus: (all Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2)

 

Virtual:File server staff

File server students

SIMS/Sage

Apps

Images

Print

CAG

Email

 

Physical:Backup

DC

 

I presume the install requires a very small hard disk footprint and is actually quite processor and memory un-obtrusive...

[jcollings]

The reporting aspect has been shown to not work correctly - as Office 2010 has removed various functions from it, which the reporting section requires for use. Others have given examples of it on here.

 

Interesting - I can't say I've had any reports fail on me here (and I write pretty complex ones most days). I must look up other threads and see what fails.

[kennysarmy]

Think I might just create a new VM - when..... I mean IF things go tits up I can just start again

 

 

Thanks....just reading up on this now....seems like a minefield but I am hoping it's not as complicated as first looks....

 

Can the KMS Host co-exist with services on an existing server?

My server layout looks thus: (all Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2)

 

Virtual:File server staff

File server students

SIMS/Sage

Apps

Images

Print

CAG

Email

 

Physical:Backup

DC

 

I presume the install requires a very small hard disk footprint and is actually quite processor and memory un-obtrusive...