Software Lifecycle
Last Updated: 03/22/2019
Overview
Software applications are rapidly changing in the IT world and, as such, have an associated life cycle. OIT provides the software guide below with the following phases:
- Early Adoption: Software that is either in a limited release state or released with some underlying compatibility issues.
- Recommended: Applications that have been thoroughly tested and are endorsed for use by OIT.
- Upgrade Soon: Applications that have been released for some time and generally function well. Some compatibility issues may exist with new applications.
- Upgrade Now: Software needs to be upgraded, has many security vulnerabilities, and is no longer supported by vendors.
*Please Note: Operating Systems older than the ones listed in this chart are also no longer supported.
Operating Systems 
| Early Adoption | Recommended | Upgrade Soon | Upgrade Now |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Windows 10 (1809)Windows
|
Windows 10 (1803)Windows
|
macOS Sierra (10.12)MAC Windows 10 (1709)Windows Windows 8.1Windows Windows 7*Windows
|
OS X El Capitan (10.11)MAC OS X Yosemite (and older)MAC Windows 10 (1703 or lower)Windows |
* Microsoft is ending support for Windows 7 at the end of 2019. You should have a plan to transition to Windows 10 by December 2019.
Productivity Applications 
| Early Adoption | Recommended | Upgrade Soon | Upgrade Now |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Office 2019 WindowsMAC |
Office 2016*WindowsMAC Office Online*Windows MACLinux G Suite*Windows MACLinux |
Office 2013Windows |
Office 2011MAC Office 2010Windows Office 2008MAC Office 2007Windows Office 2003Windows Office 2004MAC |
* CULoginName@colorado.edu and IdentiKey password credentials are required to log in and download software.
Web Browsers 
| Early Adoption | Recommended | Upgrade Soon | Upgrade Now |
|---|---|---|---|
|
EdgeWindows Safari**MAC Chrome*Windows MACLinux Firefox*Windows MACLinux |
Internet Explorer 11Windows |
Internet Explorer 10Windows Internet Explorer 9Windows Internet Explorer 8Windows |
* Most up to date browser version
** Apple applications (e.g. Safari) come pre-installed with a particular Mac OS X version.
Email & Calendar 
| Early Adoption | Recommended | Upgrade Soon | Upgrade Now |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Outlook 2019 WindowsMAC |
Outlook 2016*WindowsMAC Outlook Web App*Windows MACLinux Mail & Calendar 11**MAC |
Outlook 2013Windows Mail & Calendar 10**MAC |
Outlook 2015MAC Outlook 2011MAC Outlook 2010Windows Outlook 2007Windows Outlook 2003Windows Mail & Calendar 9**MAC Mail & iCal 8**MAC Mail & iCal 7**MAC Entourage 8MAC |
* CULoginName@colorado.edu and IdentiKey password credentials are required to log in and download software.
** Apple applications (e.g. Mail and Calendar) come pre-installed with a particular Mac OS X version.