Support Terms Glossary

The word “support” is used interchangeably to describe several concepts: interaction between software products, between software and hardware, and the life cycle policy a vendor follows when servicing software. By understanding the clear differences in meaning, organizations can more effectively assess the value of their software within their infrastructure.

Certification is a process through which Microsoft tests software and ensures that it works properly with a specific set of hardware.

Coexistence between two or more software products is defined as the products’ ability to exist at the same time on the same machine, whether or not they are being used together.

Compatibility defines how software, or software and hardware, work with each other without unexpected behavior. This is generally a combination of interoperability and coexistence.

Interoperability is how two or more software products communicate or work with each other without problems.

Life cycle is the defined amount of time where a product is considered “supported.” For Microsoft, this period can be 10 years for traditional software, but it can be significantly shorter for so-called modern software and online services.