Arguments not to use IE7

Question

Hi.

One of our customers is using IE7 as default web browser and their IT Department does not like other options like Firefox o Chrome, neither upgrading Internet Explorer. This customer is using a web GIS system based on the ArcGIS API JavaScript.

I have been reading some benchmarking studies and IE7 is the slowest web browser:
http://crave.cnet.co.uk/software/safari-4-benchmarked-42x-faster-than-ie-7-3-5x-faster-than-firefox-3-49301219/

Additionally, the last ArcGIS JavaScript API begins to use all the HTML5 functionalities (CSS3 transformations):
http://blogs.esri.com/Dev/blogs/arcgisserver/archive/2011/12/15/Hardware-accelerated-map-navigation-with-CSS3.aspx
an they are not supported by IE7.

We are trying to find more arguments to persuade them to change the web browser. Any tip is welcome.

Thank you very much.

JeffPace1 · Answer

Reason #1 I can understand, but #2 is kinda ironic, since there are plenty of in-browser addons for IE7 available. Don't know what to say about #3, but for #4 as long as it follows w3 standards, I don't see a problem.

Agree 100% .  Unfortunately I don't make the decisions, and logic is counterproductive in manager's meetings.

Salomon_VágadalJoensen · Answer

Reason #1 I can understand, but #2 is kinda ironic, since there are plenty of in-browser addons for IE7 available. Don't know what to say about #3, but for #4 as long as it follows w3 standards, I don't see a problem.

JeffPace1 · Answer

That's a strange situation to be in.

What are their reasons for not at least updating IE?

Its actually very very common.  If you are in corporate/government, this is the most common case.  IE7 only. 
Reasons:
1. Upgrading breaks vendor applications that no money was allocated for to keep upgraded, or that the vendor is no longer in business and we do not have the source code
2. Anything EXCEPT IE is viewed as a security risk, usually, because of addons
3. Support.  Client Services/Help Desk can barely support 1 browser due to having all their resources stripped.  
4. Altiris/etc.. type centralized management.  Many of these are difficult to configure for nth browsers.

Note, i don't agree with any of these reasons, just saying they exist as justification.  We just got off IE6 less than a year ago for reason #1 above, and the only reason we have Firefox 3 is due to a vendor app that works better in it.  Installing Chrome/Safari/Opera etc.. is a violation of IT policy and will be removed, and is, if reoccurring, a fire-able offense (thankfully developers are excluded).

Oh and we are still on XP 32bit as well, see reason #1 and #3 above.