Vista Assurances?

The only problem is instead of looking to its partners as the first line of attack in the new Vista campaign, Microsoft on the very week of its worldwide partner conference created partner angst by announcing a Windows Vista Small Business Assurance Program that left more than a few solution providers wondering just where they fit in.

The three-month program provides what Microsoft is calling "free, hands-on, personalized phone support to help with questions related to your Windows Vista transition." Microsoft touts the new program as a way to move risk-free to Vista, providing what it calls "compatibility assistance and one-on-one coaching from Microsoft to help ensure a smooth transition."

The problem with the program and the much-ballyhooed ad in USA Today to kick off the campaign is there is no mention of Microsoft partners. This, as Microsoft was unveiling its long-awaited software-as-a-service strategy that has some solution providers concerned Microsoft is trying to cut them out of the cloud computing picture.

CEO Steve Ballmer, for his part, attempted to quell the rumblings regarding a Microsoft direct sales offensive. "The message in the ad is really targeted at people who today wind up being largely self-sufficient, and we need to tell them they've got a lifeline," he said. "Certainly for people who are dealing with professional partners like the folks in this room, they're going to keep coming to you."

First off, can you imagine any small business deploying Windows Vista Business or Vista Ultimate without a solution provider? The only way any small business is going to "move to Windows Vista with Confidence" is if a partner recommends it and integrates it as part of a small-business solution. And by the way, do you really want to bet your small business on a Microsoft support rep at the end of a phone line? A Microsoft support rep, by the way, who is only available from "10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific Time." And what happens when the free offer is up? Who do you call then?

Microsoft missed a big opportunity at the partner conference to get partners all pumped up to do Vista migrations for businesses of all sizes. Instead, the company ended up dissing the very partners that will ultimately determine whether Vista succeeds or fails in the marketplace.

What do you think of Microsoft's Assurances?
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