Vista: A Lost Horizon

Windows

STEVEN BURKE

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Can be reached at (781) 839-1221 or via e-mail at [email protected].

A somber Jim Allchin, co-president of Microsoft's Platform Products and Services division, said the Vista client won't make it out to the masses until January. The software giant had promised general availability for the 2006 holiday season. No matter how you paint it, the delay is going to take a big toll. It puts those solution providers that have built a business lock, stock and barrel around Microsoft back on their heels. For those that have invested in developing a Linux practice around Novell or Red Hat or a Sun practice around Solaris, the delay is a big opportunity to talk about an alternative solution.

The Vista setback will also take a toll on buyer confidence surrounding Microsoft IT solutions. Microsoft's partner network is going to play a critical role here as it grapples with consumer and business questions surrounding the delay. Glen Coffield, president of Cheap Guys Computers, an Orlando, Fla., system builder with six retail locations in the area, was stunned when he learned Microsoft was delaying the client version of Vista. "The desktop refresh cycle just took a huge hit," said Coffield. "Microsoft is saying seven or eight months before launch they can't get it done. It's obviously not a small problem."

Coffield, for one, is urging system builders to contact their Microsoft reps to urge the company to introduce a Vista upgrade program right now. "Microsoft needs to step up to the plate and give system builders a Vista upgrade program that we can sell to end users now," he said. "That way we can sell PCs to consumers and businesses on the fence waiting for Vista."

With the right program that harnesses the solution provider feet on the street, Microsoft can turn sour lemons into lemonade. But that's a big if. All too often vendors, even those as partner-savvy as Microsoft, do not have the infrastructure in place to swiftly influence partners. That's because they spend far too much time and resources attempting to influence end users with "People Ready" sloganeering and far too little time influencing partners that actually sell and support their products.

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Is Vista a lost horizon? Let me know at (781) 839-1221 or via e-mail at [email protected].