We've already rolled out Windows XP SP2 (no hope of going to Vista or Windows 7 in the foreseeable future unfortunately) across the enterprise and our latest internal roll-out actually incorporates SP3 as well - but unfortunately IE is explicitly being kept at version 6.
Regardless of the numerous security warnings our there and lack of applicability in the greater world wide web, my manager still sees intranet apps written for IE6 as the main reason to stay on it. What can we do to swing the vote in our favour? We're tired of supporting an ailing browser when users call us up constantly complaining that website don't look right, and more and more people asking for browser tabs "because that's what they've got at home".
Any arguments we can put forward would be great!
I would be really pushing the increased security in both IE7 and IE8. Pop-up blocking, phishing filters etc...
IE6 is one of the biggest entry point for malware onto a Windows system. You can reduce a lot of this by leaving IE6
Get a range on how much money could be lost by keeping IE6 (even in unlikely scenarios), and how much money can be saved by upgrading. Money and ROI talk.
Have you tested your intranet apps with IE7 or IE8? We had several that we thought were IE6-only that actually work with IE7.
If the intranet apps are in-house developed, then you need to asses how expensive the compatibility work will be; if they are external then you need to contact the suppliers.
Just identifying the actual roadblocks can be good, as you often find they are much less than you thought.
You will found arguments on stopie.com or, from a developer point of view, things that you will do when IE6 will be over, but also, use the fact that many websites are now making ads against IE 6 like :
Also, if you read French, take a look on Tristan Nitot's blog ("CEO" for Mozilla Europe) where you will find some good content on that subject.
Arguments based on:
"IE6 is a legacy system, only on extended support from Microsoft. Microsoft was recently pushed IE8 through as a Critital Patch on Windows Update and will only publish future patches for IE6 for the most serious issues"
"If we continue to allow IE6 users to connect to the Internet then we are increasing our risk of malware infection."
"It is better to 'keep up' with the upgrades and patches as they come out, than to stagnate and be left with a HUGE upgrade in the future that will be MUCH more expensive (in time, effort and cost)"
This is a tricky thing that i have tried to fight but i haven't had much luck in the past.
The two options i see is to either convince management that IE6 is a large security risk to the network (as it is) and that if anything the intranet apps need to be updated to avoid the risk of the entire network becoming open to attack or convince them to allow something like Firefox or chrome for browing online but restrict IE6 to local browsing for the intranet apps.
And good luck!
If IE6 has to be in use:
Update all workstation IE installations and use
Managers always like cost to benefit breakdowns of decisions from my experience.
Just show him/her how making the switch to a current browser will be of greater benefit than staying with the relic that is IE6.
And, if you cannot come up with a good analysis, then maybe it is not really in your favor to make the switch.
Hiring an intern to update the intranet apps should be probably less costly than doing extensive cleanup of the network due to a security breach, because of using an insecure and standards-ignorant browser both for intranet and internet.