Five years after the advent of Windows XP in October 2001, Microsoft should disclose, tonight, the professional version of its new Windows Vista operating system. Coupled with the suite Office, this launch is highly strategic for the American editor. Not only because the operating system for the client position pole approximately 30 of the turnover of Microsoft and the order of 60 of its operating income, but also because Windows Vista is a test key on the evolution of the PC market. The baby of Microsoft includes a powerful research tool, allows faster deployment in enterprises, provides a 3D graphical interface, enhanced security and improved mobility and administration features.
However remains to see if the market is always also receptive to the enrichment of the client workstation or versions "low cost" of the operating system not tomorrow are likely to grow "The answer to this question will depend on the strategy of Microsoft in the coming years," said Mathieu Poujol, analyst Pierre Audoin Consultants.
In the meantime, with Windows Vista, Microsoft occupies the field. The editor has taken a few years of delay, he still managed to lead a gigantic project, more and more complicated by the number of developers involved (approximately 6,000) and the need to take account of the history of Windows. "With Vista, Microsoft confirms its ability to move forward, to innovate and react in a certain way to threats such as Linux or Google online applications", said David Bradshawn, analyst at Ovum.
Of course, the movement is mainly defensive. With a global market share of more than 90 in operating systems and a mature PC market, the launch of Windows Vista should not generate extraordinary growth. For fiscal year 2007 (ending June 30), Microsoft table on a turnover of 14 billion to 14.5 billion for its Windows client pole, i.e. an increase of 8 to 10, compared with 9 the previous year.
The event is important
It will have to wait longer to assess the impact of Vista. Short term, this launch should not boost PC sales in the world. The editor provides a progression of the volumes of sales of microcomputers from 8 to 10 on the current year, while 13 for the previous fiscal year.
So, Windows Vista is not an important event for the entire industry. "The launch of Windows Vista is for me comparable to the transition from Windows 3.11 to Windows 95," says Eric Greffier, Director of marketing Europe for PCs and laptops at Dell. Same with Hewlett-Packard Bell sound. "It is a major opportunity in terms of growth." "In recent years, we have invested more than 153.000 days/men in the integration of Windows Vista on our platforms", said Olivier Gillet, Director of marketing in the Hewlett Packard France personal systems division. In a study commissioned by Microsoft, IDC considers same that every euro invested in Windows Vista is expected to generate about 13 euros of revenue for the entire ecosystem in France. Manufacturers and service providers are take advantage of this launch to sell analyses of parks, consulting and deployment services to businesses. Remains to be seen how fast they will switch to Windows Vista and in what proportion.
But since this autumn these buyers are more scarce5 of the great German rival Deutsche BahnShe has even made its logo in a playful wayVolkswagen signs a year in the average 1Its title has lost in the heels almost 10In addition it undertakes in the long termAnd yet the disillusion grows everywhereIn Britain TMobile and the operator 3 already doWith aim to produce compelling elements to justiceunless he proves have acted on the orders of the employer
