Windows Vista to provide productive business environment

by Gamini Warushamana

The General Manager Windows Client Group, Microsoft Asia Pacific Kenneth Lundin during his visit to participate in the launch of Windows Vista, in an interview with the Sunday Observer spoke on Windows Vista and its role in the global Operating System (OS) market.

Here are excerpts of the interview.

Q: How did the Windows products change the landscape of computer technology?

A: In 32 years, we've accomplished a lot of things, people said were impossible and we've shattered every myth about what the PC can do. Microsoft Windows products have evolved from a single, one-size-fits-all desktop operating system into a diverse family of operating systems and mobile technologies.

Today, Windows products help people worldwide achieve their potential at work, home, and just about any place in between. Our recent launch of Windows Vista proves that we are not done yet. With Windows Vista, we have focused on improving the experience, reliability and overall quality of the operating system, providing a more complete and productive business environment for customers.

Q: What is Windows' position in the market? Who are the competitors?

A: Windows software is installed on more than 700 million PCs worldwide and touches nearly 95% of the world's PC market. We expect the latest launch of Windows Vista to reach over two million users in the next two years. However, we believe that our success comes as a result of our commitment to developing truly innovative products.

We're working to expand the possibilities for computing every day, by continually improving and advancing our current products and embarking on fundamental research that paves the way for greater innovation.

Q: Do you agree that Microsoft has almost a monopoly in the operating system market?

A: Customers will choose the products that serve their needs best, and we believe that our firm position in the market is a result of years of listening to the needs of our partners and customers, and answering those needs with technology that truly delivers. Windows Vista is the latest example of a great product that is based on the real needs of customers today.

Q: Do you feel that Microsoft has helped to make computer technology affordable to ordinary people in terms of price?

A: Microsoft's goal is to create a sustained economic opportunity where all citizens can access the power of technology and contribute to a broad knowledge economy. In 2004, we sought to provide a more affordable and simple introduction to personal computing through the introduction of Windows Starter Edition, an operating system designed for first-time PC users in developing technology markets.

Windows Starter Edition is the result of ongoing collaborations with governments to improve citizens' access to technology, and supports the company's long-term vision for the global marketplace, empowering more people to achieve their fullest potential.

Q: With this strong position of the Microsoft in the OS market aren't you earning supernormal profits? In a competitive environment how much will the prices go down?

A: We believe Windows Vista pricing is appropriate for each of the local markets where our products are bought and sold and expect customers to react positively to the significant innovation they receive in Windows Vista relative to the price.

For example, Windows Vista is the most secure and reliable version of Windows that Microsoft has ever shipped, providing an unprecedented level of confidence and control when users browse the Web or engage in other online activities.

Q: Now you are in Sri Lanka, a poor country promoting Windows Vista. Do you think this is a fairly big market where Microsoft has a share?

A: On the most fundamental level, we see Windows Vista Starter laying a foundation for a new generation of users - computer literate children who otherwise wouldn't have that opportunity.

As they grow with computer skills, we believe they will one day have a tremendous impact on their societies, building the academic, economic and social capital of the country. Also, in many of these markets, the government has objectives to increase the digital literacy and productivity of its citizens, so Starter is also helping these governments achieve their objectives.

Microsoft shares goals with our industry partners around growing our own businesses as well. Local hardware partners in these countries are getting an opportunity to grow and produce a line of computers for this market, which they haven't been able to do in the past.

We have seen some exciting innovations in India where ISVs are developing applications based on Starter, a hardware vendor in Brazil that has grown 25 percent due to these sales, and plenty of other new developments.

Q: Do you think that people here can afford Windows Vista on a mass scale?

A: Microsoft has always recognised the need for affordable and relevant PC options in emerging markets.

Three years ago, we heard from governments in emerging markets about the need for an affordable, entry-level Windows-based PC for their citizens. Hence, we designed Windows XP Starter Edition, an operating system made specifically for first-time PC users in emerging markets.

The operating system took into account the needs and wants of first-time users and was optimised to run on affordable hardware. Since that time, over one million families in emerging markets have learned to use a PC through Windows Starter.

Windows Vista Starter is the next step in the Windows Starter family, and combines cutting-edge development with the simplicity needed for first-time PC users, and will help users in Sri Lanka join the worldwide digital society.

Q: What about the development team? The contribution of professionals in new Silicon Valleys in India and China?

A: We have witnessed a great deal of development coming out of China. In fact, the China Technology Centre (CTC), established in Beijing in 2003, has been responsible for the development of over 80 features in Windows Vista specifically designed for the Greater China region.

Microsoft also brought fifty families from seven countries to the heart of product development through a program called "Life with Windows Vista". This included families in India, who contributed their feedback to the largest-scale consumer research program Microsoft has ever undertaken before a Windows launch.

It is these investments in R&D that allow us to consistently deliver innovation that meet the evolving needs of our customers. Asia is already an innovation powerhouse today, and we believe that the next decade will see Asia at the forefront of global innovation.

Q: Briefly explain what changes will Windows Vista do in the computer technology landscape in the world?

A: Windows touches 700 million people! Even before the product was launched, we witnessed an unprecedented feedback from over one billion user sessions and over five million beta downloads globally.

In Asia Pacific (excluding Japan and China) alone we had more than 140 enterprise early adopters for Windows Vista, 2007 Office system and Exchange Server 2007, and 265 ISVs have rolled-out Windows Vista-enabled applications within six months of the launch. In fact, according to Forrester, 40% of the enterprises they surveyed plan to begin deploying Windows Vista within the first year of its release.

Q: Microsoft introduces new versions of Windows from time to time with advanced features so what is next after Windows Vista?

A: The launch of Windows Vista was an incredibly exciting moment for our customers and partners around the world, and the company is focused on the value Windows Vista will bring to people today.

We are not giving official guidance to the public yet about the next version of Windows, other than that we're working on it. When we are ready, we will provide updates.

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