Relius & Windows 7

[Effen]

Just an FYI that Relius does NOT work with Windows 7 machines. The sales people tell you they have work arounds, but the techs confirm they don't really work.

We signed up with Relius before we knew this, and are now scrambling to find an new vendor.

[Guest Stephen DeSanto]

Hopefully, I can provide more detail on this issue.

The Relius family of products does not currently support Windows 7 natively. Each Relius product has been undergoing development and certification efforts to be able to fully support this platform in the near future. Support will vary by product based on the level of programming changes required and any third party components changes needed. Additional details and projected dates on this topic can be found in the "Relius Supported Operating Systems" document posted on the Relius website support page in the lower right hand corner. This document is updated as support position and dates change.

Users wishing to operate Windows 7 at this time may do so using Windows 7 - XP Mode. This feature is available in Windows 7 Professional/Ultimate and creates a virtual Windows XP machine within the Windows 7 desktop. Applications that do not yet support Windows 7 natively can be installed and operated in this desktop environment until they can be moved to Windows 7 natively. More information on Windows 7 - XP Mode can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/windows/virtual-pc/default.aspx.

If I can be of additional assistance, please feel free to contact me.

Best regards,

Stephen J. DeSanto,

Director of Relius Technology

SunGard Relius

800.326.7235 x5901

stephen.desanto@sungard.com

[Effen]

I agree it MAY work using Windows 7 - XP Mode, however my understanding is that requires a system reboot in order to get the machine into XP Mode. Then, once in XP mode, the Windows 7 applications won't work. Therefore, in order to prepare a 5500 you would need to reboot, then reboot again when you are done to put your machine back into Windows 7 mode.

Not a very practical answer for an office where people don't work on 5500s exclusively all day long.

[Guest Stephen DeSanto]

During my expierence testing and running under Windows 7 - XP Mode, a reboot was not required between operations as you have described. Windows 7 - XP Mode runs on the Windows 7 desktop in window like any other program. No reboot is required when using the software or switching it on or off. You simply open the XP Mode window in Windows 7 and when you are done you close the window but Windows 7 stays running at all times.

If you would like to send me an e-mail, I can send you a screen shot of what this would look like when running. We do have a number of clients running the Relius products this way with Windows 7.

Best regards,

Stephen J. DeSanto,

Director of Relius Technology

SunGard Relius

800.326.7235 x5901

stephen.desanto@sungard.com

[Ron Snyder]

Maybe the problem was in switching to Windows 7 before making sure everything was working correctly. I won't be moving my company's computers to Windows 7 until SP2 is released. Haven't you learned about Microsoft by now? In fact, we may never move to Windows 7 and are exploring the possibility that our next upgrade will be to Apple hardware and software.

[mwyatt]

Actually, our recent experience with Relius (2 years running of 1099-R outsourcing foulups - plus has anyone actually tried using the 2010 Government Forms software yet? - be prepared for unusability at this point) has made us consider switching pension software rather than operating systems or PC hardware.

Have loaded Windows 7 on one machine so far and pleasantly surprised. Will keep testing; so far the compatibility modes have worked to alleviate any problems.