MS enables channel to sell Windows 7

Gurgaon:

Microsoft is flagging off the launch of its latest operating system-Windows 7, with much fanfare and aplomb. And it is doing this through different channel initiatives that are aimed at creating excitement among them, and showing them the vast opportunities on the upgrade front. This time around, the company is banking on word of mouth publicity through the channel and customers to get them more recognition.

For starters, the company initiated a 16-city drive, which will took 1,800 partners under its fold. During this drive, Microsoft will educate partners, provide demos and present the opportunities in front of them. Shedding light on the opportunities for the channel, Ramesh G, Director-Windows Client, Microsoft Corp said, "In the next one year, there will be eight to nine million new PC shipments. We hope to see more customers opt for preloaded PCs. In the upgrade market, there is a $6 million opportunity in India. With piracy levels showing significant dips, there is a $2 billion opportunity for partners to go and target these customers and legalize their software."

Ramesh added that Microsoft was working with ISVs and hardware vendors to make their programs and products compatible with Windows 7.

Speaking about the channel focus, Ramesh said that the aim was to expand geographical reach from its current 250 cities to 500 cities and have a presence and focus on B, C and D-class cities.

So why should customers upgrade to Windows 7? According to Ramesh, one of the feedback the company got was that Windows 7 works great on old hardware because of the less space it utilizes. For most SMBs in India who are stretching the life of their PCs, this OS would help them save on the costs they would otherwise have incurred in purchasing new hardware. That apart, a user saves money on additional software. "Windows 7 comes with its own firewall, spyware and other security software. A consumer can expect savings of around Rs 6,000-8,000 which they would have had to spend on additional software," explained Ramesh.

Another initiative the company rolled out about less than two weeks back was Saath Ka Dum . "The channel will get paid to install Windows 7 on their customers PCs. For installing the OS on five PCs of one customer the partner will be paid with gift vouchers and bonuses. In the next 30 days, we hope to have 500 customers on Windows 7. Initially, this scheme was valid till end of August, but now, due to popular demand, it has been extended till end of September," stated Ramesh.

Also in the pipeline is a 14-city Partner Technical Resource Training slated for September-October. During this event, partners and their engineers will be trained on all aspects of Windows server and Windows 7, from deploying it to troubleshooting.

Microsoft also announced the launch of Windows Genuine Advantage program (WGA) in June. The program protects its customers and partners from counterfeiters through education, engineering, and enforcement of policies and laws. "As part of the offer, customers can get discounts on different products from other vendors if they have a genuine Windows installed on their system," said Ramesh.

The general availability of Windows 7 will begin on Oct 22. The versions that will be available are Starter, Home Basic, Premium, Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate. "When the customer buys Windows 7 they will have all the entire version. If they have Starter and want to upgrade to Home Basic, they all they need to do is get a key (code) which they need to enter into their PCs. Also every version will contain all the features and functionality of the version below it and offer something more," elaborated Ramesh.