Microsoft has reiterated its commitment to the desktop. Building on its co-founder Bill Gates' vision of a PC on every desk in every home, Microsoft will continue to focus on delivering desktop products. And in this context, nothing will change when it comes down to the development of the company's main cash cows. Windows Vista and the 2007 Office System will be followed by Windows Seven and Office 14. Kevin Turner, Chief Operating Officer, present at the Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference 2007 in Denver on July 10 emphasized the fact that Windows Vista will neither be the last of its kind, nor the last big operating system release from the Redmond company. The same strategy is valid for the Office 2007 System.

"You know, we started out as a client desktop company 32 years ago, and built a very successful and promising business. Certainly this last year has been an unprecedented year for Vista and Office and the launch. And we are still committed to the desktop. There will be another release and launch of a Vista type operating system. There will be another release of Office, and we're going to continue to invest in that, because the customer wants a choice," Turner stated.

At the end of 2006, even before Microsoft had released Windows Vista to manufacturing, analysts began predicting a revolution in the company's business model for its Windows platform. Vista was to be the last major Windows release, signaling the beginning of the end for mammoth operating systems. Predictions envisioned a modular architecture, and the toning down of the continuous trend to add functionality. The forecast was based on user input, next generation technology evolutions, such as virtualization and Microsoft's own business model.

The Redmond company repeatedly denied such a scenario, and Turner's latest perspective over the future of Microsoft's desktop business comes to support the position that the desktop will continue to receive major releases of both the Windows operating system and the Office productivity suite. Windows Seven and Office 14, planned for availability in 2009 - 2010 will continue Microsoft's current development strategy for desktop products. Still, Microsoft has diversified its focus, and Turner emphasized the evolution of the server, entertainment and Internet business.

"When you think about Vista, the 2007 Office system, and Exchange 2007, those were huge, huge, big dog releases. Those are monumental products, multi-billion dollar products that we put into the marketplace. But, ladies and gentlemen, that's only a part of the story. That's only just a fraction of the story," Turner added.