SP1 compatibility issues still prevalent

To bandy about claims that SP1 will be a problem-free deal for all, with little or no compatibility issues to vex us, seems a little too upbeat for most. But Microsoft and its partners everywhere have nothing but good feelings to share on the subject haven’t they?

For a view from the other side of the fence, application-testing company AppDNA has carried out an “extensive” test of 100 core enterprise applications for compatibility changes under SP1. It says that there is no determinable difference (over and above the initial release of Windows Vista) for application compatibility under Vista SP1 - with 18 per cent of applications still failing the test and requiring remedial action to run.

If you’re still feeling upbeat by this point – you might like to stay positive and remember that there hasn’t been an actual INCREASE reported here for compatibility - but that might be asking too much of you.

AppDNA used its automated application compatibility-testing tool AppTitude to conduct the testing. AppTitude provides a detailed testing report, which we’re told enables the IT team to immediately and easily address the problem areas, with detailed technical information highlighting the necessary 'fixes' and best practices they need to implement to ensure an application installs and runs correctly under Vista.

So has AppDNA sent its reports to Microsoft to help chisel down that 18 per cent figure? They didn’t say.