CRN Roundtable - Windows 8

Microsoft has hailed 2012 as a new era as it embraces the mobile and tablet revolution with Windows 8 - find out in this lively discussion how the software giant is targeting the channel with its OS

Heated debates are the lifeblood of our industry and this Windows 8 roundtable certainly packs its fair share.

Taking part in the discussion, moderated by CRN editor Sara Yirrell, is Janet Gibbons, director of partner strategy and programmes at Microsoft, Robert Epstein, senior product manager of Windows at Microsoft, Guy Gregory, senior engineer at Microsoft partner The Final Step and Carl West, business group director of IT at anaylst firm GfK.

Questions asked include what services partners can add around Windows 8, what the business benefits that channel players can use to entice business customers, how SMBs that are already behind with their upgrades can be encouraged to make the move to Windows 8 and what training and certification options are open to partners.

For viewers wanting the heated discussion part - it comes about halfway through - where questions such as how the competitive landscape will change with the launch of Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 and the introduction of the Surface; and what the wider impact of Windows 8 will be, particularly in the tablet space.

Well worth a watch all the way through as the discussion covers many questions that partners will want answering as they formulate their Windows 8 strategy.