In contrary to what the letter states, most customers in the Netherlands will only profit from the new license system, the statement said, adding that Microsoft offers to brief customers individually if questions remain. Analysts agree with NGN, although the increase in cost they see isn't quite as dramatic. Microsoft wants us to upgrade every 18 months, but a 4-year upgrade cycle is more common. Many enterprise users skip a version. All our members are telling us they won't use Office XP until 2002.
Customers can also upgrade via the retail channel.
The retail version includes, for example, a module that only allows two installations, which is unworkable in a corporate environment, the NGN said. To be eligible, a customer needs to run the current version of the product. Only Office XP will be the current version on Oct. 1, so the customer first needs to upgrade. The IDG News Service is a Network World affiliate. Apply for your free subscription to Network World.