Microsoft: Windows Vista SP1 Means Business

Even with Windows 7 on the horizon, Microsoft continues to focus on Windows Vista, and on a consumer segment that failed to warm up to Windows XP's successor as much as the Redmond company would have hoped – businesses. An illustrative example of this is the Windows Vista Means Business Campaign debuted for members of the Microsoft Partner Program. In order to kick off participation in the campaign, Microsoft Partners have to take the Windows Vista Means Business online training course. The software giant is offering them a chance to win a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate.

“Take this fun, interactive course broken down into 3 sections and get a better understanding of how Windows Vista Business or Windows Vista Ultimate is the right OS for a new PC, as compared to Windows XP and a MAC. Small business customers need to understand the benefits of Windows Vista and this course will give you the right nuggets to have that conversation. Moreover, knowing that Windows Vista on a PC is the right path to upgrading later on to Windows 7, learning today about Windows Vista is the right time investment,” revealed a member of Microsoft UK's Small Business Specialist Community.

Through the Windows Vista Means Business Campaign, Microsoft is offering partners materials designed to streamline training, sales and marketing, when it comes down to convincing customers to embrace Vista. The Redmond company's perspective is that Vista Business and Ultimate with Service Pack 1 is just what small business owners need. The campaign is planned to end on June 12, 2009.

“Did you know that the mean revenue for a new Windows Vista Ultimate desktop is US$180 more than for desktops running the Windows XP operating system? Research also shows that: 87 percent of small-business decision makers were willing to pay as much as US$350 more for PCs preinstalled with Windows Vista; 49 percent added antivirus software; 42 percent upgraded the flat screen monitor; 34 percent purchased extended warranties or service plans,” Microsoft explained.