Vista-To-XP Downgrades Are Embarrassing To Microsoft
As a result of Vista's well-publicized technical glitches and application compatibilities, the downgrade rights Microsoft offers with the high-end Vista Business and Vista Ultimate editions have received unprecedented attention. While the rising use of downgrade rights might seems like an indictment of Vista's flaws, it's actually a sign of good customer service on Microsoft's part, according to some solution providers.
Todd Swank, vice president of marketing at Nor-Tech, a Burnsville, Minn.-based system builder, says Microsoft has made the process of exercising downgrade rights easier than in the past.
"Microsoft is simply being realistic: They know that XP is a good product, and they're getting a Vista license sale whenever downgrade rights are exercised," said Swank. "Microsoft obviously wants companies to transition to Vista, but I don't think they would have made downgrade rights as easy to use if they really were against people using them."
"Downgrade rights are about flexibility for companies, and not about generating money for Microsoft," said Lee Nicholls, global solutions director for Microsoft Technologies at Getronics, a global, $3.4 billion IT services company and Microsoft Gold partner.
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