Understanding how a computer will be used is important when recommending an OS to a customer. The OS must be compatible with the existing hardware and the required applications. Before recommending an OS to a customer, investigate the types of applications that the customer will be using and whether new computers will be purchased.
To make an OS recommendation, a technician must review budget constraints, learn how the computer will be used, and determine which types of applications will be installed. These are some guidelines to help determine the best OS for a customer:
- Does the customer use off-the-shelf applications for this computer? Off-the-shelf applications specify a list of compatible operating systems on the application package.
- Does the customer use customized applications that were programmed specifically for the customer? If the customer is using a customized application, the programmer of that application specifies which OS to use.