Convincing Employer/Manager to use Better Software OR Use my Devices [closed]

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My current employer is using Win 7 and Office 2007 and only updated from Win XP and Office 2003 as of last December. The problem is that Office 2007...well, SUCKS! I mean there are so many issues with that version of Office. The E-mail is ridiculously slow (e-mails get missed even when doing send and receives every minute). Excel is plain broken, since DDE opens everything in the same instance/window and makes it impossible to use the dual monitor setup I have. I cannot move the window without it being "un-full" sized. This is just a small portion of all of the problems with Office 2007.



I mentioned to one of the IT managers that it sucks and if we could get Office 2013 or Office 365. He replied "most likely not considering it is not a pressing issue at the moment." So, my next step I thought is to ask my manager to see if I can use my own laptop and tablet to do my work on (I have a legit version of 2016) since their version of Office is just so darn frustrating and disrupts my workflow immensely. Should I ask to use my personal devices without being at the company for a relatively lengthy time or without a more managerial title? Or is there a way for me to get Office 2013/2016 via my work? Do any of you use personal devices for work?







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closed as off-topic by Lilienthal♦, gnat, Dawny33, Joe Strazzere, Dan Pichelman Feb 8 '16 at 16:36



  • This question does not appear to be about the workplace within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.








  • 1




    Have you considered installing OpenOffice or LibreOffice and freeing yourself from your dependency upon Microsoft's tools?
    – keshlam
    Feb 8 '16 at 1:39






  • 8




    ... you could just open two excel instances? I did that all the time in Excel 2007. This feels like a complete rant. If I was a manager (or IT) worried about long-term stability of a company, this list of "complaints" is not even close to something that would convince me.
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 2:07






  • 6




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a duplicate of "How do I request new equipment for the office?" but reads more like a rant than a practical question and is not useful as a redirect to the parent question.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:44










  • Note that unless the licensing model has changed, you aren't allowed to use a personally licensed version of Office for professional purposes, so that's a non-starter.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:45










  • If you approach this with your boss in the same tone as the question ("this software sucks"), it will not be very inspiring. Start by maknig a case for the value added, or how it will help you complete your assigned tasks.
    – Brandin
    Feb 8 '16 at 16:38
















up vote
-6
down vote

favorite












My current employer is using Win 7 and Office 2007 and only updated from Win XP and Office 2003 as of last December. The problem is that Office 2007...well, SUCKS! I mean there are so many issues with that version of Office. The E-mail is ridiculously slow (e-mails get missed even when doing send and receives every minute). Excel is plain broken, since DDE opens everything in the same instance/window and makes it impossible to use the dual monitor setup I have. I cannot move the window without it being "un-full" sized. This is just a small portion of all of the problems with Office 2007.



I mentioned to one of the IT managers that it sucks and if we could get Office 2013 or Office 365. He replied "most likely not considering it is not a pressing issue at the moment." So, my next step I thought is to ask my manager to see if I can use my own laptop and tablet to do my work on (I have a legit version of 2016) since their version of Office is just so darn frustrating and disrupts my workflow immensely. Should I ask to use my personal devices without being at the company for a relatively lengthy time or without a more managerial title? Or is there a way for me to get Office 2013/2016 via my work? Do any of you use personal devices for work?







share|improve this question












closed as off-topic by Lilienthal♦, gnat, Dawny33, Joe Strazzere, Dan Pichelman Feb 8 '16 at 16:36



  • This question does not appear to be about the workplace within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.








  • 1




    Have you considered installing OpenOffice or LibreOffice and freeing yourself from your dependency upon Microsoft's tools?
    – keshlam
    Feb 8 '16 at 1:39






  • 8




    ... you could just open two excel instances? I did that all the time in Excel 2007. This feels like a complete rant. If I was a manager (or IT) worried about long-term stability of a company, this list of "complaints" is not even close to something that would convince me.
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 2:07






  • 6




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a duplicate of "How do I request new equipment for the office?" but reads more like a rant than a practical question and is not useful as a redirect to the parent question.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:44










  • Note that unless the licensing model has changed, you aren't allowed to use a personally licensed version of Office for professional purposes, so that's a non-starter.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:45










  • If you approach this with your boss in the same tone as the question ("this software sucks"), it will not be very inspiring. Start by maknig a case for the value added, or how it will help you complete your assigned tasks.
    – Brandin
    Feb 8 '16 at 16:38












up vote
-6
down vote

favorite









up vote
-6
down vote

favorite











My current employer is using Win 7 and Office 2007 and only updated from Win XP and Office 2003 as of last December. The problem is that Office 2007...well, SUCKS! I mean there are so many issues with that version of Office. The E-mail is ridiculously slow (e-mails get missed even when doing send and receives every minute). Excel is plain broken, since DDE opens everything in the same instance/window and makes it impossible to use the dual monitor setup I have. I cannot move the window without it being "un-full" sized. This is just a small portion of all of the problems with Office 2007.



I mentioned to one of the IT managers that it sucks and if we could get Office 2013 or Office 365. He replied "most likely not considering it is not a pressing issue at the moment." So, my next step I thought is to ask my manager to see if I can use my own laptop and tablet to do my work on (I have a legit version of 2016) since their version of Office is just so darn frustrating and disrupts my workflow immensely. Should I ask to use my personal devices without being at the company for a relatively lengthy time or without a more managerial title? Or is there a way for me to get Office 2013/2016 via my work? Do any of you use personal devices for work?







share|improve this question












My current employer is using Win 7 and Office 2007 and only updated from Win XP and Office 2003 as of last December. The problem is that Office 2007...well, SUCKS! I mean there are so many issues with that version of Office. The E-mail is ridiculously slow (e-mails get missed even when doing send and receives every minute). Excel is plain broken, since DDE opens everything in the same instance/window and makes it impossible to use the dual monitor setup I have. I cannot move the window without it being "un-full" sized. This is just a small portion of all of the problems with Office 2007.



I mentioned to one of the IT managers that it sucks and if we could get Office 2013 or Office 365. He replied "most likely not considering it is not a pressing issue at the moment." So, my next step I thought is to ask my manager to see if I can use my own laptop and tablet to do my work on (I have a legit version of 2016) since their version of Office is just so darn frustrating and disrupts my workflow immensely. Should I ask to use my personal devices without being at the company for a relatively lengthy time or without a more managerial title? Or is there a way for me to get Office 2013/2016 via my work? Do any of you use personal devices for work?









share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Feb 8 '16 at 1:21









B1313

1,640720




1,640720




closed as off-topic by Lilienthal♦, gnat, Dawny33, Joe Strazzere, Dan Pichelman Feb 8 '16 at 16:36



  • This question does not appear to be about the workplace within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.




closed as off-topic by Lilienthal♦, gnat, Dawny33, Joe Strazzere, Dan Pichelman Feb 8 '16 at 16:36



  • This question does not appear to be about the workplace within the scope defined in the help center.
If this question can be reworded to fit the rules in the help center, please edit the question.







  • 1




    Have you considered installing OpenOffice or LibreOffice and freeing yourself from your dependency upon Microsoft's tools?
    – keshlam
    Feb 8 '16 at 1:39






  • 8




    ... you could just open two excel instances? I did that all the time in Excel 2007. This feels like a complete rant. If I was a manager (or IT) worried about long-term stability of a company, this list of "complaints" is not even close to something that would convince me.
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 2:07






  • 6




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a duplicate of "How do I request new equipment for the office?" but reads more like a rant than a practical question and is not useful as a redirect to the parent question.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:44










  • Note that unless the licensing model has changed, you aren't allowed to use a personally licensed version of Office for professional purposes, so that's a non-starter.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:45










  • If you approach this with your boss in the same tone as the question ("this software sucks"), it will not be very inspiring. Start by maknig a case for the value added, or how it will help you complete your assigned tasks.
    – Brandin
    Feb 8 '16 at 16:38












  • 1




    Have you considered installing OpenOffice or LibreOffice and freeing yourself from your dependency upon Microsoft's tools?
    – keshlam
    Feb 8 '16 at 1:39






  • 8




    ... you could just open two excel instances? I did that all the time in Excel 2007. This feels like a complete rant. If I was a manager (or IT) worried about long-term stability of a company, this list of "complaints" is not even close to something that would convince me.
    – Elysian Fields♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 2:07






  • 6




    I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a duplicate of "How do I request new equipment for the office?" but reads more like a rant than a practical question and is not useful as a redirect to the parent question.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:44










  • Note that unless the licensing model has changed, you aren't allowed to use a personally licensed version of Office for professional purposes, so that's a non-starter.
    – Lilienthal♦
    Feb 8 '16 at 9:45










  • If you approach this with your boss in the same tone as the question ("this software sucks"), it will not be very inspiring. Start by maknig a case for the value added, or how it will help you complete your assigned tasks.
    – Brandin
    Feb 8 '16 at 16:38







1




1




Have you considered installing OpenOffice or LibreOffice and freeing yourself from your dependency upon Microsoft's tools?
– keshlam
Feb 8 '16 at 1:39




Have you considered installing OpenOffice or LibreOffice and freeing yourself from your dependency upon Microsoft's tools?
– keshlam
Feb 8 '16 at 1:39




8




8




... you could just open two excel instances? I did that all the time in Excel 2007. This feels like a complete rant. If I was a manager (or IT) worried about long-term stability of a company, this list of "complaints" is not even close to something that would convince me.
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 8 '16 at 2:07




... you could just open two excel instances? I did that all the time in Excel 2007. This feels like a complete rant. If I was a manager (or IT) worried about long-term stability of a company, this list of "complaints" is not even close to something that would convince me.
– Elysian Fields♦
Feb 8 '16 at 2:07




6




6




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a duplicate of "How do I request new equipment for the office?" but reads more like a rant than a practical question and is not useful as a redirect to the parent question.
– Lilienthal♦
Feb 8 '16 at 9:44




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a duplicate of "How do I request new equipment for the office?" but reads more like a rant than a practical question and is not useful as a redirect to the parent question.
– Lilienthal♦
Feb 8 '16 at 9:44












Note that unless the licensing model has changed, you aren't allowed to use a personally licensed version of Office for professional purposes, so that's a non-starter.
– Lilienthal♦
Feb 8 '16 at 9:45




Note that unless the licensing model has changed, you aren't allowed to use a personally licensed version of Office for professional purposes, so that's a non-starter.
– Lilienthal♦
Feb 8 '16 at 9:45












If you approach this with your boss in the same tone as the question ("this software sucks"), it will not be very inspiring. Start by maknig a case for the value added, or how it will help you complete your assigned tasks.
– Brandin
Feb 8 '16 at 16:38




If you approach this with your boss in the same tone as the question ("this software sucks"), it will not be very inspiring. Start by maknig a case for the value added, or how it will help you complete your assigned tasks.
– Brandin
Feb 8 '16 at 16:38










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
4
down vote













I wouldn't suggest pushing for improved software OR using your personal computers - as frustrating as it may be, it's best to just deal with what you're given.



I say this for a few reasons:



  1. You've already asked the IT manager if an upgrade was in order with a negative, and it doesn't sound like it IS a pressing issue. While it may disrupt your workflow, you'd have to think of the company as a whole - how many employees are there? Each one of them would need an upgrade for simplicity's sake, as compatibility issues will be much more disruptive than managing windows. Even if your company only has 20 people, for the office suite with all the required business apps is $8.25 per user per month, billed annually - $1980 upfront costs because of one employee complaint isn't justifiable.


  2. Using your personal computer in a work setting is something I'd really advise against. Even if they do allow it, you're getting into a grey area where they'll likely want to install some sort of program to connect you to the system, and then they may have some legal issues regarding security or file ownership.


What you're experiencing is kind of the norm for companies - there are always ways to improve and always new software, but unless you're at a startup with a huge software budget, you're probably stuck with what you have... I know a lot of clients still on XP with Office 2003. If it works, don't fix it.






share|improve this answer



























    up vote
    3
    down vote













    It's unrealistic to expect the whole company to upgrade when they have recently done so just to suit one new employee.



    As for using your personal equipment. You can ask. But if you're on a domain working off server data the chances are it's not an option. There would be too many security considerations and other network issues involved, IT would not be impressed. On top of that you would then be responsible for company data and backing up your work, and if something happened to your machine at work it could get messy.



    This is normal, it's usually the IT people's responsibility to make sure staff have the tools they need. You have already asked and (quite rightly in my opinion) been turned down. Pushing the issue is not going to go down well unless you have more status in the company and other valid reasons that you can convince IT with.






    share|improve this answer
















    • 2




      I will also point out that if they let you use your personal equipment, then they might just want to wipe it clean when you leave. IT security people are often funny that way.
      – HLGEM
      Feb 8 '16 at 15:18

















    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    4
    down vote













    I wouldn't suggest pushing for improved software OR using your personal computers - as frustrating as it may be, it's best to just deal with what you're given.



    I say this for a few reasons:



    1. You've already asked the IT manager if an upgrade was in order with a negative, and it doesn't sound like it IS a pressing issue. While it may disrupt your workflow, you'd have to think of the company as a whole - how many employees are there? Each one of them would need an upgrade for simplicity's sake, as compatibility issues will be much more disruptive than managing windows. Even if your company only has 20 people, for the office suite with all the required business apps is $8.25 per user per month, billed annually - $1980 upfront costs because of one employee complaint isn't justifiable.


    2. Using your personal computer in a work setting is something I'd really advise against. Even if they do allow it, you're getting into a grey area where they'll likely want to install some sort of program to connect you to the system, and then they may have some legal issues regarding security or file ownership.


    What you're experiencing is kind of the norm for companies - there are always ways to improve and always new software, but unless you're at a startup with a huge software budget, you're probably stuck with what you have... I know a lot of clients still on XP with Office 2003. If it works, don't fix it.






    share|improve this answer
























      up vote
      4
      down vote













      I wouldn't suggest pushing for improved software OR using your personal computers - as frustrating as it may be, it's best to just deal with what you're given.



      I say this for a few reasons:



      1. You've already asked the IT manager if an upgrade was in order with a negative, and it doesn't sound like it IS a pressing issue. While it may disrupt your workflow, you'd have to think of the company as a whole - how many employees are there? Each one of them would need an upgrade for simplicity's sake, as compatibility issues will be much more disruptive than managing windows. Even if your company only has 20 people, for the office suite with all the required business apps is $8.25 per user per month, billed annually - $1980 upfront costs because of one employee complaint isn't justifiable.


      2. Using your personal computer in a work setting is something I'd really advise against. Even if they do allow it, you're getting into a grey area where they'll likely want to install some sort of program to connect you to the system, and then they may have some legal issues regarding security or file ownership.


      What you're experiencing is kind of the norm for companies - there are always ways to improve and always new software, but unless you're at a startup with a huge software budget, you're probably stuck with what you have... I know a lot of clients still on XP with Office 2003. If it works, don't fix it.






      share|improve this answer






















        up vote
        4
        down vote










        up vote
        4
        down vote









        I wouldn't suggest pushing for improved software OR using your personal computers - as frustrating as it may be, it's best to just deal with what you're given.



        I say this for a few reasons:



        1. You've already asked the IT manager if an upgrade was in order with a negative, and it doesn't sound like it IS a pressing issue. While it may disrupt your workflow, you'd have to think of the company as a whole - how many employees are there? Each one of them would need an upgrade for simplicity's sake, as compatibility issues will be much more disruptive than managing windows. Even if your company only has 20 people, for the office suite with all the required business apps is $8.25 per user per month, billed annually - $1980 upfront costs because of one employee complaint isn't justifiable.


        2. Using your personal computer in a work setting is something I'd really advise against. Even if they do allow it, you're getting into a grey area where they'll likely want to install some sort of program to connect you to the system, and then they may have some legal issues regarding security or file ownership.


        What you're experiencing is kind of the norm for companies - there are always ways to improve and always new software, but unless you're at a startup with a huge software budget, you're probably stuck with what you have... I know a lot of clients still on XP with Office 2003. If it works, don't fix it.






        share|improve this answer












        I wouldn't suggest pushing for improved software OR using your personal computers - as frustrating as it may be, it's best to just deal with what you're given.



        I say this for a few reasons:



        1. You've already asked the IT manager if an upgrade was in order with a negative, and it doesn't sound like it IS a pressing issue. While it may disrupt your workflow, you'd have to think of the company as a whole - how many employees are there? Each one of them would need an upgrade for simplicity's sake, as compatibility issues will be much more disruptive than managing windows. Even if your company only has 20 people, for the office suite with all the required business apps is $8.25 per user per month, billed annually - $1980 upfront costs because of one employee complaint isn't justifiable.


        2. Using your personal computer in a work setting is something I'd really advise against. Even if they do allow it, you're getting into a grey area where they'll likely want to install some sort of program to connect you to the system, and then they may have some legal issues regarding security or file ownership.


        What you're experiencing is kind of the norm for companies - there are always ways to improve and always new software, but unless you're at a startup with a huge software budget, you're probably stuck with what you have... I know a lot of clients still on XP with Office 2003. If it works, don't fix it.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Feb 8 '16 at 1:41









        Danny Santoro

        813




        813






















            up vote
            3
            down vote













            It's unrealistic to expect the whole company to upgrade when they have recently done so just to suit one new employee.



            As for using your personal equipment. You can ask. But if you're on a domain working off server data the chances are it's not an option. There would be too many security considerations and other network issues involved, IT would not be impressed. On top of that you would then be responsible for company data and backing up your work, and if something happened to your machine at work it could get messy.



            This is normal, it's usually the IT people's responsibility to make sure staff have the tools they need. You have already asked and (quite rightly in my opinion) been turned down. Pushing the issue is not going to go down well unless you have more status in the company and other valid reasons that you can convince IT with.






            share|improve this answer
















            • 2




              I will also point out that if they let you use your personal equipment, then they might just want to wipe it clean when you leave. IT security people are often funny that way.
              – HLGEM
              Feb 8 '16 at 15:18














            up vote
            3
            down vote













            It's unrealistic to expect the whole company to upgrade when they have recently done so just to suit one new employee.



            As for using your personal equipment. You can ask. But if you're on a domain working off server data the chances are it's not an option. There would be too many security considerations and other network issues involved, IT would not be impressed. On top of that you would then be responsible for company data and backing up your work, and if something happened to your machine at work it could get messy.



            This is normal, it's usually the IT people's responsibility to make sure staff have the tools they need. You have already asked and (quite rightly in my opinion) been turned down. Pushing the issue is not going to go down well unless you have more status in the company and other valid reasons that you can convince IT with.






            share|improve this answer
















            • 2




              I will also point out that if they let you use your personal equipment, then they might just want to wipe it clean when you leave. IT security people are often funny that way.
              – HLGEM
              Feb 8 '16 at 15:18












            up vote
            3
            down vote










            up vote
            3
            down vote









            It's unrealistic to expect the whole company to upgrade when they have recently done so just to suit one new employee.



            As for using your personal equipment. You can ask. But if you're on a domain working off server data the chances are it's not an option. There would be too many security considerations and other network issues involved, IT would not be impressed. On top of that you would then be responsible for company data and backing up your work, and if something happened to your machine at work it could get messy.



            This is normal, it's usually the IT people's responsibility to make sure staff have the tools they need. You have already asked and (quite rightly in my opinion) been turned down. Pushing the issue is not going to go down well unless you have more status in the company and other valid reasons that you can convince IT with.






            share|improve this answer












            It's unrealistic to expect the whole company to upgrade when they have recently done so just to suit one new employee.



            As for using your personal equipment. You can ask. But if you're on a domain working off server data the chances are it's not an option. There would be too many security considerations and other network issues involved, IT would not be impressed. On top of that you would then be responsible for company data and backing up your work, and if something happened to your machine at work it could get messy.



            This is normal, it's usually the IT people's responsibility to make sure staff have the tools they need. You have already asked and (quite rightly in my opinion) been turned down. Pushing the issue is not going to go down well unless you have more status in the company and other valid reasons that you can convince IT with.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered Feb 8 '16 at 2:04









            Kilisi

            94.6k50216376




            94.6k50216376







            • 2




              I will also point out that if they let you use your personal equipment, then they might just want to wipe it clean when you leave. IT security people are often funny that way.
              – HLGEM
              Feb 8 '16 at 15:18












            • 2




              I will also point out that if they let you use your personal equipment, then they might just want to wipe it clean when you leave. IT security people are often funny that way.
              – HLGEM
              Feb 8 '16 at 15:18







            2




            2




            I will also point out that if they let you use your personal equipment, then they might just want to wipe it clean when you leave. IT security people are often funny that way.
            – HLGEM
            Feb 8 '16 at 15:18




            I will also point out that if they let you use your personal equipment, then they might just want to wipe it clean when you leave. IT security people are often funny that way.
            – HLGEM
            Feb 8 '16 at 15:18


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