The TELA Laptops for Teachers and Laptops for Principals Scheme is transitioning from its current Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office 2003 standard software environment to Microsoft Windows 7 Enterprise and Microsoft Office 2010.
EditTransition Date: 11 October 2010.
EditWhat does the transition mean for TELA?
This means that TELA laptops will be delivered to school with Windows 7 and Office 2010 preinstalled, instead of Windows XP and Office 2003.
EditWhich laptops will be supplied with the new software?
Only Toshiba and HP laptops are affected by the change in software environment. The changes affect the HP and Toshiba laptops supplied through the TELA that currently have the Ministry's standard TELA software image installed.
EditDoes this mean the current TELA laptop models are obsolete?
No. The laptops themselves remain unchanged. Most of the laptops currently leased within schools through the TELA scheme are compatible with Windows 7, even those approaching 3 years of age.
EditCan we choose to have Windows XP and Office 2003 pre-installed after the transition?
Each laptop will be supplied with Windows 7 and Office 2010 as standard. Schools can choose to obtain a Deja TELA software recovery (reinstallation) disk for Windows XP with a new laptop order if they wish to install Windows XP on machines supplied after the transition. These will be available for each laptop that has previously been supplied with Windows XP. The Windows XP Deja disk will delete all data from the laptops and install Windows XP and Office 2003.
EditCan the scheme provide the option of selecting alternative operating systems?
Unfortunately the scheme does not have the resources to support multiple operating systems and office suites for each and every model. The scheme aims instead to provide a standardised software environment which offers optimal functionality, stability and compatibility that is suitable for the majority of users.
The scheme is also limited by the drivers and utilities that are provided by hardware vendors.
EditCan the scheme deploy the school's own software image to TELA laptops?
Schools that wish to have their own images deployed to their school's laptops prior to delivery can do so by contacting the TELA Scheme facilitator. There is an additional charge for deploying custom images.
EditLicensing changes for the TELA Scheme
The way Microsoft software on TELA laptops is licensed is also changing.
EditSchools will need to enter their Volume Product Keys to Activate the Microsoft Software.
After the transition each new laptop will require a product (license) key for Microsoft Windows and a key for Microsoft Office be entered to activate the software. These keys will also need to be entered after running Deja software recovery discs for Windows 7 on TELA laptops.
The product keys are available to your school's Microsoft Schools Agreement contact person. This person can access the product keys on Microsoft's Volume Licensing Service Center web site:
https://www.microsoft.com/licensing/servicecenter/.
EditWindows XP to Windows 7
EditWhy is the scheme ending supply of laptops with Windows XP preinstalled?
Microsoft and laptop manufacturers are advising that they are progressively reducing support and compatibility with Windows XP which was released in 2003. We expect this trend to accelerate with a large amount of new software, computers and peripherals discontinuing support for Windows XP users in the near future.
EditWhy is the scheme transitioning to supplying laptops with Windows 7?
The scheme has carefully evaluated the Windows 7 software. We are satisfied that Windows 7 supports and performs as well if not better than the current operating system on TELA laptops. In addition, Windows 7 offers a better user experience, better support for disability access and a number of useful tools and utilities that are better integrated than those previously available. We are satisfied with the speed and stability of Windows 7 in comparison to earlier operating systems.
EditWhere can we find out more about Windows 7?
Microsoft provides information about Windows 7 features and requirements at
www.windows.com.
EditWhat about our school?
EditOur users use tools or software that require Windows XP...
Our testing indicates the majority of software designed for Windows XP and Windows Vista work well in Windows 7.
For software and resources that cannot work outside of Windows XP, Windows 7 Enterprise includes Windows XP mode, which can be set up by the user. Windows XP mode allows a virtual Windows XP desktop to run within Windows 7. The majority of TELA laptops currently on lease to schools support virtualisation, which is required to run Windows XP mode in Windows 7.
EditWe have other users that use Windows XP...
Our testing indicates laptops running Windows 7 can coexist with computers running Windows XP and Vista on the same network.
EditWhat if our school wants to continue using Windows XP?
Schools that wish to continue using Windows XP and Office 2003 may choose to install the software at the school.
Please note that not all new laptop models are guaranteed to have Windows XP drivers available.
Schools that have access to suitably skilled personnel and resources may choose to create and deploy their own Windows XP images for their own school's laptops.
Schools can use the installation media and downloadable installers available through the Microsoft Schools Agreement for installing Windows XP and Office 2003.
EditIs there any software which is not available from the manufacturer's web site?
The scheme has observed that third party branded OEM licensed software for DVD authoring is typically not available for download from vendor web sites. However software which is branded by the vendor is typically available for download. Schools that require an installer for such software may need to contact the vendor directly to obtain an installer.
EditCan we get a Deja disk to install Windows XP and Office 2003 on to new laptops?
Schools can also request a Windows XP based Deja software reinstallation disc from the TELA Scheme's distributor. Windows XP Deja discs will be available for all models supplied through the scheme up to the Windows 7 transition date.
EditWhat if our school wants to transition all users to Windows 7?
EditCan we install Windows 7 on our older TELA laptops?
Yes. Although the school will need to use suitably experienced personnel for installing Windows 7 on laptops.
We have tested Windows 7 on a number of older TELA laptops that are currently on lease and find the software to perform well overall with few (if any) speed or stability issues observed. HP and Toshiba provide Windows 7 drivers and software installation instructions for a number of computers
Windows 7 Driver Support for TELA laptops..
Schools that choose to install Windows 7 on their older TELA laptops will need to use suitably skilled and qualified personnel, as the scheme does not provide support for operating system upgrades. Support for installing software provided through the Microsoft Schools Agreement can be sought from the ICT Help Desk.
Schools can use the installation media provided through the Microsoft Schools Agreement for installing Windows 7 and Office.
EditWindows XP to Windows 7 is a Clean Install
Schools that wish to upgrade from Windows XP to Windows 7 will need to install Windows 7 as a clean install. The user will not be given the option of upgrading the operating system while retaining files and settings.
The clean install will delete any data, documents, pictures, additional software and settings, etc. Because of this each user's data will need to be backed up if transitioning from Windows XP to Windows 7.
EditCan we get a Deja disk to install Windows 7 on to older laptops?
Unfortunately, the scheme does not have Windows 7 Deja disks for models supplied prior to the transition.
EditOffice 2003 to Office 2010 Transition
EditWhy is the scheme ending supply of laptops with Office 2003 installed?
Microsoft is progressively reducing support and compatibility for Office 2003. The latest version of Office, Office 2010 offers a significant number of new capabilities and a new user interface.
EditWhy is the scheme transitioning to supplying laptops with Office 2010?
Office 2010 provides a refined user interface which improves in terms of usability over the earlier Office 2007. Microsoft is providing a number of tools and utilities that are designed for classroom use and collaboration in association with their latest Office suite.
EditWhere can we find out more about Office 2010?
http://office.microsoft.com/en-au/default.aspx.
EditWhat about our school?
EditWe have other users that use Office 2003...
Microsoft provides an Office 2007/2010 compatibility tool for Office 2003, which allows Office 2003 users to open, edit and view files created within Office 2010 with slightly reduced functionality for images and graphics.
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/HA101686761033.aspx
EditWhat if our school wants to continue using Office 2003?
Schools that wish to continue using Office 2003 may choose to install the software at the school. Schools that have access to suitably skilled personnel and resources may choose to create and deploy their own Office 2003 images for their own school's laptops.
Schools can use the installation media and downloadable installers available through the Microsoft Schools Agreement for installing Office 2003.
EditCan we install Office 2010 on our older TELA laptops?
Yes. Office 2010 can be installed on laptops running Microsoft Windows XP SP3, Vista or Windows 7.
Schools will need to use suitably skilled and qualified personnel to perform the installation. Support for installing software provided through the Microsoft Schools Agreement can be sought from the ICT Help Desk. (Contacts)
Schools can use the installation media provided through the Microsoft Schools Agreement for installing Office 2010.