Windows 7 : Will Microsoft rule the roost in enterprise segment?
The last operating system from the software giant, Microsoft Vista, which was released worldwide on January 30, 2007, was created to improve the security of the most widely used PC operating system in the world. But, the securities features were not much better than the previous versions of Windows and also not compatible with a number of older PCs, which limited the number of users who were likely to upgrade. Now, the new operating system from the company, called as Windows 7 to hit retail shelves and start showing up on new PCs on October 22. The company has big expectations from the new software. According to Microsoft, the companies which are already running Windows 7 include BMW, T-Mobile and Del Monte Foods.
The company also outlined discounts for corporate customers and marketing programs for the thousands of IT companies that resell and install Windows on its behalf.Pricing
The company priced the upgrade to Buy Windows 7 for $119 for Windows 7 Home Premium, $199 for Windows 7 Professional and $219 for Windows 7 Ultimate. Also, for the full retail products, the company charged $199 for Home Premium, $299 for Professional and $319 for Ultimate.Last week, the software giant had closed the deep discounts on its upcoming operating system pre-orders, which was started from June 26 and hiked the new upgrades to their suggested list prices. To convince new customers that there is no reason to delay buying a PC until Microsoft releases the new operating system, that is, October 22, Lenovo, Hewlett-Packard etc have called for free upgrades to the Microsoft Windows 7 OS who buy PCs pre-installed with the Windows Vista OS.Windows 7 upgradation
Various analysts predict that the utter failure with the Windows Vista operating system is now becoming a key selling point to generate interest in upcoming Windows 7.Yet, the news that attracted huge attention to all the new customers by a research firm that might focus on Microsoft’s upcoming operating system. In its survey, the firm predicted that 59.3% of companies have “no current plans” to use Windows 7 in their computers. That means six out of ten companies in a survey plan to skip the purchase of Microsoft Corp’s Windows 7 computer operating system, many of them to pinch pennies and others over concern about compatibility with their existing applications. Also, recent Gartner research notes state, organizations should wait for Windows 7 SP1 before migrating which they estimate at 12 to 18 months after the release of windows 7, as last Windows Vista’s experience was the bitter one. Migration will need to start well before the actual deployment, noting that standardized OS creation, app testing and performing a pilot test, which will take up to 9 months. After that they should move to the new operating system.Boon or Bane
At the first glance, the above findings might appear to undermine the market of the new operating system, but if 40% of the corporate or individual investors, as the report suggests, would upgrade to the Windows 7, then it would spark a much needed round of corporate buying, what company required.Also, the results of the survey may be less indicative as it was carried out four months before the planned release date of Oct. 22. So companies have not yet heard the marketing pitches Microsoft has planned for the launch. So, one cannot justify the research report till the actual sales figures or data figured out.Future Direction: After Windows 7
Also, Redmond giant is geared to initiate “one of the biggest launch waves” after Oct 22. Windows 7 will debut on Oct 22, followed by the shipping of Windows Server 2008 R2.
Following the release of these products, the next month will witness the release of Office 2010 and new versions of Windows Mobile, SharePoint Server and Exchange Server. This is pegged as the biggest launch wave in the history of software giant.
http://www.itvoir.com/portal/boxx/knowledgebase.asp?iid=1544&Cat=23
WP Robot
