In Internet time, with Web apps seemingly continuously updated, last fall’s release of Win7 seems eons ago. Although the new OS is an undeniable hit with consumers—its rate of initial adoption is twice that of much-maligned Vista’s—enterprises are inherently more cautious about jumping on Microsoft’s bandwagon. A recent survey of IT professionals by Dimensional Research found that only 16% had already deployed Win7, while 42% plan to do so this year. That still means that about one out of six IT departments have deployed Win7, so what might their experiences teach those still in the planning stage? Experts who have worked with some of these early adopters have distilled common lessons and advice for their cautious or procrastinating colleagues.