Early Adopters Program

What is Office 2007?

The 2007 Microsoft Office System, also known as Microsoft Office 2007, is the most recent version of Microsoft's productivity suite. Office 2007 contains a number of new features, the most notable of which is the entirely new graphical user interface called the Ribbon, replacing the menus and toolbars that have been the cornerstone of Office since its inception.

Office 2007 also includes new applications and server-side tools. Also included is Office Sharepoint Server 2007, a major revision to the server platform for Office applications, which supports "Excel Services", a client-server architecture for supporting Excel workbooks that are shared in real time between multiple machines, and are also viewable and editable through a web page.

While Office 2007 includes many new features, one has been removed entirely: Microsoft FrontPage is no longer being developed; its successors are Microsoft Expression Web and Microsoft SharePoint Designer.

Coexistence with Office 2003: Phased roll out

Office 2007 will run side by side with Office 2003.  However, the Outlook client will be upgraded to Office 2007 since there is a conflict both versions installed on a computer.  Office 2007 will read any document created in Office 2003 but there may be problems encountered with complex equations or macros.  Office 2003 will not read Office 2007 created documents unless they are specifically saved as a Office 2003 document or the office compatibility tool is installed.  Computers at CNM do have the office compatibility tool installed to eliminate as many problems as possible with the two versions.

Requirements for participation in the EAP for Office 2007.

1. If you share a computer with another staff member, all must agree to the upgrade of Office 2007. This upgrade is for those people who like to be on the bleeding edge of technology and can easily navigate new software without trouble.

2. As a participating member of the Office 2007 Early Adopters Program, you will be required to provide feedback on your experience with the new office suite. This is important to assist the Organizational Learning department to develop training for the rest of the institute.

3. To sign up for this program, please fill out the EAP sign up form and send it to the ITS Service Desk.  A desktop support technician will schedule a time to install Office 2007 or at your convenience.