Resellers unsure about Microsoft's latest Vista
Software giant upgrades XP for six new operating systems as VARs question the move
Microsoft has created potential confusion in its channel after unveiling plans to release six different versions of its new Vista operating system.
The software giant will launch Vista at the end of the year in six formats: two for businesses, three for consumers, and one for emerging markets. They will be known as Windows Vista Business, Windows Vista Enterprise, Windows Vista Home Basic, Windows Vista Home Premium, Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Starter.
The previously simplified split of XP Home and XP Professional has been scrapped, with Vista Starter aimed at the small business, Vista Business at the mid-market and Vista Enterprise at the high-end.
David Weeks, product manager for Vista at Microsoft, told CRN: “It [Vista] is now a customer-focused product. There is more opportunity for the channel to up-sell by offering peripherals and upgrade services.
“In all versions there is increased security and reliability. The world has changed. Phishing has become an issue with people trying to procure personal information.”
Weeks claimed that the multiple versions of Vista will enable VARs to sell according to individual demands.
But Robert May, managing director of Microsoft VAR Ramsac, was unsure about the multiple versions.
“Microsoft has over-complicated matters. It’s unnecessary and six versions seems like overkill. The problem is how the SME business is going to know what they need for what they are trying to do,” he said.
Paul Jackson, principal analyst at research firm Forrester, said: “Vista looks like a good product, but it is the VARs that have the hardest job. It will be down to Microsoft to inform partners what versions they need to sell.”
Jackson said Vista will enable resellers to up-sell and offer additional products such as cameras, memory and hard-disk space.
Gordon Davies, commercial director at Microsoft reseller Compusys, said: “Once firms have picked a version of Vista, that will give us an indication of the type of firm it is and what else we can offer.”
>> Further reading: