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Mac OS X and Business
- Thread starter Bradley W
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Bradley W said:
businesses have to make sure that their files and software will work, and I mean all of them. Converting files from one program to another is often difficult and can be problematic. They need a tech staff that can fix things when problems come up. They need their employees to know how to use things without unnecessary additional training. They need to make sure any custom software they use works.
If you want them to get macs, you have to put together a full business case, that would include total cost of ownership, IT support costs, additional training, what software would be used, the cost of translating files if programs can't be found that perfectly support the current file format the company uses. And if there's any important custom software, its just not going to fly period. Without a full business case showing that macs would be cheaper and easier in the mid and long term, no business in their right mind would do it.
Basically, your business is probably better off with windows if that's what they've been using.
It's hard to give any advice at all based on your post, but you're correct that the necessary software doesn't run on the Mac.
The decision to make a significant investment in Macs for a business is going to depend on a lot of things, not the least of which is how big the business is and what your business does.
If you're an accounting firm to whom QuickBooks is your core app, switching would be insane. If you're a small graphical design studio with no tech support staff and you only need one accounting computer to run QuickBooks, you'd probably be far better off buying a single PC for that specialized use and Macs for the rest of the computers. If you're a smallish office that never uses anything but a web browser and Word on all the machines but a couple in accounting, then it's possible switching some of the computers to Macs could be a profitable choice, but it'd have to be considered carefully.
Think of it like this from a business perspective:
What apps are vitally important on what computers? If there's no Mac version, you'll need a PC for at least that workstation.
How big/good is your IT department? If the answer is "tiny" or "none", considering Macs might be wise on account of the reduced IT overhead.
How big a task would the switch be? If everything is ingraned Windows-only, it's going to be a lot more expensive and time consuming than a startup buying their first set of hardware, or a company converting from something ancient that's going to require new software and training anyway.
Does the Mac actually get you anything? Are there specifically better apps available, does the generally lower TCO specifically apply to your company, or is switching going to cost more in confusion and new software than it'll gain in security and better hardware/software?
The decision to make a significant investment in Macs for a business is going to depend on a lot of things, not the least of which is how big the business is and what your business does.
If you're an accounting firm to whom QuickBooks is your core app, switching would be insane. If you're a small graphical design studio with no tech support staff and you only need one accounting computer to run QuickBooks, you'd probably be far better off buying a single PC for that specialized use and Macs for the rest of the computers. If you're a smallish office that never uses anything but a web browser and Word on all the machines but a couple in accounting, then it's possible switching some of the computers to Macs could be a profitable choice, but it'd have to be considered carefully.
Think of it like this from a business perspective:
What apps are vitally important on what computers? If there's no Mac version, you'll need a PC for at least that workstation.
How big/good is your IT department? If the answer is "tiny" or "none", considering Macs might be wise on account of the reduced IT overhead.
How big a task would the switch be? If everything is ingraned Windows-only, it's going to be a lot more expensive and time consuming than a startup buying their first set of hardware, or a company converting from something ancient that's going to require new software and training anyway.
Does the Mac actually get you anything? Are there specifically better apps available, does the generally lower TCO specifically apply to your company, or is switching going to cost more in confusion and new software than it'll gain in security and better hardware/software?
I would add...
that it's worth it, in any case, to send a letter to a developer, if you'd like to see their app on OS X and it isn't currently available. Let them know there is a real market for it. I mean, why the heck isn't this kind of thing on Mac? It should be.
that it's worth it, in any case, to send a letter to a developer, if you'd like to see their app on OS X and it isn't currently available. Let them know there is a real market for it. I mean, why the heck isn't this kind of thing on Mac? It should be.