Topic: MS Office 2007 (PC) Pilot Group
Date: June 2007 - July 2007
Activity Length: 8 weeks
Method: 3 one-hour meetings and online discussion via WebCT
Number of Participants: 23
In preparation for campus-wide implementation of Microsoft Office 2007 for PC users in fall 2007, IR Training Services invited the campus community to participate in an 8-week pilot group. Participants upgraded their software from MS Office 2003 to MS Office 2007, communicated challenges and solutions with pilot group participants, and discussed recommendations which will directly shape the technical training programming.
Pilot group participants were able to successfully transition their primary work computer to MS Office 2007 (PC) and gain familiarity with the new version over the 8-week period. No critical failures were reported with the exception of challenges transitioning one very large, integrated Access application. Participants noted that faculty, staff, and
administrators should be cognizant of the learning curve for individuals to transition to the new software given significant changes to the interface. As Information Resources staff is also working to gain an understanding of the new software, expectations will need to be managed regarding the role of the support desk, computer technicians, and training staff throughout the transition. The pilot group indicated clear and frequent communication regarding the software upgrade will be necessary.
“I’ve finally accepted it!”
“It’s not really hard, just time consuming.”
“MS Office 2007 is a resource hog.”
Training recommendations include:
- Key training materials identified include Quick Reference Guides, CustomGuide Online Training, and the MS Office “Getting Help” interactive tool.
- Make access to key training materials as easy as possible such as direct links. Some voiced concern about navigating the numerous resources on the IR Online Training Center, that these resources must be found quickly.
- Pilot group participants expressed interest in a live demonstration session discussing the transition from MS Office 2003 to MS Office 2007 addressing the top 10 items such as use of the ribbon and changes to interface. Participants also suggested videotaping this session and posting online for individuals not able to attend.
- Consider creating a “known incompatibility” working document to share with the campus to troubleshoot compatibility challenges.
- Suggestion to establish liaisons within each department or college to help communicate training opportunities.
- May need to spend more time reviewing PowerPoint and Access as pilot group discussion focused primarily on use of Word, Outlook, and Excel.
- Consider creating a training resource for labels.
Questions regarding the overall transition:
- Suggestion to add the MS Office 2003 compatibility pack to the download page at https://www.rowan.edu/download/
- Will CDs be available of MS Office 2007 for personal purchase?
- What is the transition plan for TEC classrooms and computer labs? Will an upgrade scheduled be communicated? Will the MS Office 2003 compatibility pack be installed on TEC classroom lecterns and lab computers? Recommendation to post computer details/compatibility for each campus of lab computer so faculty and students are aware what software version is on the computer before they log in.
- Will there be a specific deadline to complete campus-wide transition?
- How will transition be communicated to the campus community?
Specific challenges pilot group discussed include:
- Numerous reports of the new version causing performance problems (slowness/freezing) the first week after the upgrade.
- Some reports of continued performance problems (slowness/freezing) specific to individual PCs.
- Incompatibility noted with the Macintosh Word 2004 converter tool (must have Mac OS 10.4.8).
- Discussion of one very large, integrated Access application not functioning properly.
- Some discussion of the MS Office 2003 converter tool not being fully compatible, specifically with the new art and slide functionality in PowerPoint. Recommendation to save files as 2003 to show students and 2007 for editing until the TEC classrooms have been upgraded.
- Concern that some individuals did not want to download the converter tool because they did not understand the ease of download.
Overall, participants found the pilot group to be beneficial and would recommend future pilot groups be established for critical software implementation. Participants expressed mixed feelings about use of the WebCT discussion and chat features. Many individuals preferred live discussions away from their desk, but encouraged use of WebCT for supplemental purposes.
Many thanks go to the pilot group participants for taking on this challenge for the benefit of the campus community!
