Fate Of Microsoft's PC Satisfaction Still Up In The Air

The Redmond, Wash.-based company sent out the trial software this summer to a limited number of users purely as a marketing test, a spokesman said. But it's too early to speculate what the trial might result in, he said. PC Satisfaction includes antivirus code from Tiny Software, Santa Clara, Calif., and firewall code from Authentium, Jupiter, Fla.

One source speculated that PC Satisfaction may be offered as additional services to MSN consumer and small-business customers.

Windows XP currently has built-in firewall and backup features, and Microsoft is working fast to enhance and automate those features. End users, for instance, have to manually activate Windows XP's auto update and firewall connection features, the spokesman said.

Channel partners who have PC Satisfaction in-house said the trial software's Windows interface makes it easier for users to activate protection.

According to documents and screen shots of PC Satisfaction provided to CRN, a PC Safety Meter Score component automatically changes the color of a user's screen to red or green to indicate the overall health of the computer. It also automatically runs virus scans and daily backups.

Solution providers agree Microsoft has to act fast, but they are divided as to whether the company should integrate the new technologies into Windows XP or continue relying on third-party ISV products.

"The [PC Satisfaction] client has a Red Cross-[like] symbol and safety meter saying if your protection is weak, fair or good, and realtime virus scanning," said one solution provider who has seen and worked with PC Satisfaction. "It is a threat to Network Associates' McAfee."