Vista Compatibility
CAS has evaluated Beta and Release versions of the new Microsoft Windows Vista operating system and our testing validates the FalconXT and StorLogix 2.2 access control and security platform, Falcon 2000 5.0 and TaskMaster 1.708 Management solutions are compatible. Note: You must have updated MSDE to SQL 2005 Express Service Pack 2 to guarantee compatibility with SQL applications and Vista.
Even if you have these compatible products we recommend that you carefully consider updating from your fully functional Windows XP to Vista as many software and applications will not function with the changes made to this operating system. In addition most PC’s do not meet the minimum requirements for Vista unless they were purchased since January 2007. (See information below)
Update 5/15/2008 - Microsoft posted a list of programs that are known to experience a loss of functionality when trying to run them under Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/935796). Among this list is the licensing system used by CAS in our StorLogix and QMS software. CAS has resolved the licensing issue in version 2.3 of StorLogix and QMS, however, the update requires that we issue new license for all existing software systems due to compatibility issues. If you have an existing license for StorLogix, QMS or VideoViewer, please visit http://www.ptiaccess.com/upgradelicense.aspx to get a new serial number for use with the 2.3 versions of our systems. Any CAS customer that is or will be upgrading to StorLogix, QMS or VideoViewer 2.3 or higher will need a new serial number.
Update 4/30/2007 - Dell now offers a Windows XP option for Small Business customers due to overwhelming demand, if you use the Falcon 2000 and purchase a new PC we strongly encourage you to request the XP operating system. Dell will continue to offer this option until 1/2008.
Update 1/31/2008 - Falcon 2000 version 5.0 has been released and is compatible with Windows XP and Vista.
Customers who have other CAS hardware and software who are considering upgrading to Vista we request you contact CAS Technical Support at 866-213-5135 or your Business Development representative for information regarding compatibility.
Vista Premium Ready PC Requirements: (Guaranteed to work with Vista)
· Intel Core 2 Duo – Dual Core Processor
· 1 GB RAM
· DirectX 9.0 Capable with 256 MB Discrete Video Memory
· 40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB available
· DVD ROM Drive
Industry Recommendations from CNET Reviewers
According to market researchers, only a small percentage of companies are expected to update their systems from Windows XP to Vista over the next few months. A recent poll found that 86 percent of IT decision makers surveyed said their companies plan to implement Vista, though only 20 percent plan to do so in the next year. The poll of 761 buyers, commissioned by online retailer CDW, found 51 percent of respondents saying that they would have to replace or upgrade half of their PCs to run Vista.
Given Windows XP's unexpectedly long life and the interim release of several major revisions, or "service packs," driver and third-party application support is stable. Some third-party software and many drivers for connecting to hardware have had to be rewritten for Vista. Not all are available yet. Most analysts expect big companies to wait for at least the first round of service pack updates from Microsoft before they put Vista into daily service.