Vista receives cautious welcome from channel

As Microsoft launches its next generation operating system to the business community, resellers seem quietly optimistic about its success

Channel players have given a cautious welcome to the official launch of Microsoft’s Vista operating system to the corporate market.

In what the software giant has called the 'biggest launch in the firm’s 30-year history', Microsoft unveiled Windows Vista operating system, the 2007 Microsoft Office system and Exchange Server 2007 on Thursday at Arsenal Football Club’s new Emirates stadium, in north London. The software was officially launched to the business community today.

Gordon Frazer, Microsoft UK general manager, said in a statement: “These products deliver game-changing innovation. We’ve made extraordinary investments in research and development and Windows Vista, the 2007 Office system and Exchange Server have been tested more thoroughly than any other software products in history.”

Hamish Thompson a representative from Dixons Stores Group told CRN that while large corporates will get the operating system within weeks, smaller firms may have to wait until January. “What is interesting about Vista is that it is very robust; it’s been tested to the hilt,” he said. “It will extend the use of software into other areas and is more about multimedia because it is much more versatile than a traditional operating system

“It is difficult to predict what effect it will have on the business market – it will be successful, it simply depends on how quickly there is uptake. It will reenergise the PC sector.

Greg Carlow, managing director of Microsoft VAR Repton, agreed. : "The impact of Vista is a long path,” he said. “It is not going to revolutionise our business straight away, it will be a three to four year path.

“It will be the extra Microsoft and third party products that work with Vista that will take enterprises further than anything Microsoft has released in the past."

Ross Miller, chief executive of reseller Trustmarque Solutions, said: "A lot of firms have been holding back, especially if they are buying under the Select licensing programme and are waiting to deploy Vista. What we see happening now is that companies will start to buy under Select and that will boost numbers.

"I think it’s a very good thing and people are very conscious of the amount of effort Microsoft has put into this new product. There is definitely more confidence in the marketplace that it is going to work this time and that it is going to be a good product. We are feeling very positive about it."

Shaun Frohlich, chairman of VAR Teksys, said: "We already know how it’s going to be received, which is very well. However, the business market is not the fastest in terms of new technology adoption, the home and smaller market sectors tend to take the plunge first because they don't have the same challenges of rolling something new across many thousands of PCs and users.

"There also hasn't been the usual hype over the product and although it has been long awaited it is all very positive. Also with many firms they are often a couple of versions behind with their software and a major release like Vista helps to galvanise them into action and encourages them to upgrade, which means good business in terms of support and services for VARs like ourselves."

Tony Price, managing director of online reseller WStore, said: “This launch will drive sales of PCs. When Microsoft does new launches it drives the hardware market because people need more space and more memory within their PCs.

“Channel players should welcome the move because it should increase business for them.”

Exchange Server 2007 is slated for release to organisations with volume licen se agreements by the second week in December. Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system is targeted for to consumers and organisations without volume license agreements on 30 January.