In our previous article we looked at Microsoft’s newest operating system, Windows 7 64- and 32-bit versions. If your firm has decided to incorporate this into your network environment, we looked at general, hardware requirements.
But what about your software? How does Windows 7 affect the programs you’re using now?
All software companies will tell you which versions of their programs are compatible with Windows 7. This means these versions were designed to operate in that environment. Does this mean earlier versions can’t work with it? The good news is – not necessarily. The bad news is – if you try to use an unsupported version and something doesn’t work, the software company’s technical support department will tell you your version wasn’t meant to work under Windows 7.
At that point, your options are:
- work with your consultant to see if Windows 7 really is the reason your application isn’t working on that platform,
- run the application under Windows XP Mode (“Compatibility Mode”),
- consider running the application in the 32-bit version of Windows 7, or
- upgrade your application to a version that is certified to work with Windows 7.
Windows 7 Supported Versions of the products Eastern Legal Systems supports are as follows:
| Amicus Attorney | Small Firm Edition 2010 & Premium Edition 2010 |
| PCLaw | Version 10, Service Pack 4 |
| Tabs3 / PracticeMaster | Version 15 |
| Time Matters | Version 10, Service Pack 1 or higher |
| Timeslips | Version 2010 or higher |
| Worldox | Worldox GX2 |
No one would buy a car and then figure out if it works with their lifestyle. And no one should buy a computer first and then figure out if it works with their software. Check with your software consultant to find out if you need to upgrade your present software or order a workstation with specific requirements that support your applications.
Eastern Legal Systems can assist you in setting up a plan to integrate new workstations into your computing environment, so that the transition to Windows 7 can be a smooth one, and you can begin to enjoy the benefits of this new operating system.
Dana Riel is President and Founder of Business Solutions, Inc., serving the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area since 1985. Her firm is the authorized training center for the region for Time Matters and PCLaw by PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC; Timeslips and Sage 50 Accounting by Sage Software; and QuickBooks by Intuit Corporation. She also serves as a consultant for Caret Legal (formerly known as Zola Suite), CosmoLex, Soluno & TimeSolv. As a trainer, Dana has provided training services to organizations such as the DOD Defense Logistics Agency, Judge Advocate General’s Office (JAG)/Department of the Navy, University of the District of Columbia School of Law, U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as with small‐ to mid‐size law firms in the Baltimore‐Washington D.C. area. In 2009, she participated in the series of day‐long seminars sponsored by the District of Columbia Bar Association Practice Management Section, titled “Basic Training: Learn About Running a Law Office”. Ms. Riel also served as an Adjunct Professor in Georgetown University’s Paralegal Studies Program, having taught the course, “Legal Ethics/Legal Technology” in 2009; and “Legal Technology” for the Spring and Summer Semesters of 2010. She presently serves on the Advisory Board for PCLaw|Time Matters, PLLC.