The Key to Painless Switching
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My experience with Apple systems has shown that Mac desktop and notebook
systems are still a departmental-rather than an enterprise-concern for IT
managers. Macs are deployed primarily to high-value employees who are using
advanced content production applications. They are also deployed to senior
executives who want a little "wow" prestige when they walk into a
meeting. I haven't talked with any IT managers who are making the decision to
deploy Mac systems for the general work force.
My 2009 Mac experience also was propelled by the idea that Windows users
might consider switching to OS X with the release of Windows 7. I've used a
number of tools to make my Mac work more effectively in a Windows-oriented
workplace with products created to encourage the "switching" frenzy,
including virtualization tools that support Windows virtual machines running on
a Mac system.
Using Parallels
Desktop Switch to Mac Edition, for example, moving all of my applications
and data to a VM on my MacBook Pro was a nearly seamless experience. The
several hours of "click to learn" instruction that comes in the
Parallels product makes it well worth the price of admission ($99) for new Mac
users. In fact, if Parallels Desktop Switch to Mac Edition had been available
when I started this journey, my transition would have been far less painful.
The fact that I can run a Windows VM to access my e-mail and calendar with
Outlook was critical to my ability to use a Mac at work. (It also helped that I
switched from using Microsoft Office to Google Docs as my main word processing
environment.)
Given the current crush of cloud computing attention-and the constant drumbeat
to decouple hardware from the OS and applications-it will be interesting to
watch Apple's further progress. If I've learned anything thus far, it's that
the Apple way means a "till-death-do-us-part" marriage of its
hardware and OS.
My vow: to continue to test whether and when this marriage makes sense in
the workplace.
Technical Director Cameron Sturdevant can be reached at
csturdevant@eweek.com.
Cameron Sturdevant has been with the Labs since 1997, and before that paid his IT management dues at a software publishing firm working with several Fortune 100 companies. Cameron also spent two years with a database development firm, integrating applications with mainframe legacy programs. Cameron's areas of expertise include virtual and physical IT infrastructure, cloud computing, enterprise networking and mobility, with a focus on Android in the enterprise. In addition to reviews, Cameron has covered monolithic enterprise management systems throughout their lifecycles, providing the eWEEK reader with all-important history and context. Cameron takes special care in cultivating his IT manager contacts, to ensure that his reviews and analysis are grounded in real-world concern. Cameron is a regular speaker at Ziff-Davis Enterprise online and face-to-face events. Follow Cameron on Twitter at csturdevant, or reach him by email at csturdevant@eweek.com.
