Even with Windows 7 headed fast for the market, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is not waiting for the next iteration of the Windows client, and has armed itself with Windows Vista. According to Microsoft, parts of the NATO Unclassified Network are now accounting for Vista as one of the items in their arsenal, as a direct result of the collaboration between the NATO Communication Information Systems Services Agency and the software giant.

With military organizations as some of Microsoft's largest customers, it is no wonder that the company is one of the pillars behind the 2008 Defense Leaders Forum (DLF) in Lisbon, Portugal, along with the NATO Communication Information Systems Services Agency, and the Ministry of Defense of Portugal.

“As part of our commitment to social responsibility, we are sponsoring the Defense Leaders Forum with the NATO Communication Information Systems Services Agency and the Ministry of Defense of Portugal to foster discussions about the role ICT can play in ensuring the safety and security of all citizens,” Ralph Young, vice president of Worldwide Public Sector at Microsoft, explained.

“We believe that technology innovation can better equip these organizations to respond to crisis situations, by helping them to collaborate, organize, secure and save lives, and ultimately assist with their goals of lasting peace.”

Moreover, it is in Microsoft's best interest to pour every effort possible into wooing military organizations. The Redmond giant revealed that among its top ten customers, the US Army occupied the first position, with US Air Force at number three. In this context, the 2008 Defense Leaders Forum is designed to bring together no less than 22 countries, with a focus on how technology can contribute to the evolution of national security-related operations.

“We’ve developed close strategic contacts with a number of national militaries, working in partnership with them to ensure they’re equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century and the rapidly changing technology environment,” Tim Bloechl, managing director, worldwide public safety and national security at Microsoft, stated.