Windows Vista enterprise, in combination with the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack for Software Assurance customers are the right ingredients in the receipt to significantly reduce total costs of ownership. Windows Partner Solutions is a new program debuted by Microsoft for its partners at the company's Worldwide Partner Conference, designed with a sole purpose in mind, namely that of reducing TCO. When it comes to the corporate environment, free open source operating systems do not have the upper hand against Windows Vista simply because of the lack of licensing costs. Expenditures are calculated not only in accordance with the price tags associated with a license, but in relation to IT Labor costs necessary to manage each machine per year.

Via the technology sets integrated into the Windows Partner Solutions, Microsoft promises a healthy reduction of the total cost of ownership for desktops, enabling partners to deliver the company's technologies and services. The ideal solution involves Windows Vista deployment, combined with comprehensive management practices and the Optimized Desktop Essentials and the Managed Optimized Desktop technologies offered through the program by Microsoft partners.

"Most of the ongoing total cost of ownership for desktops is labor related - as much as 70 percent - and these technologies can significantly cut those costs. We think that customers could potentially realize up to US$130 per PC of value right off (using assumptions based on a typical SMB customer and value-added reseller, including number of PCs and cost of labor). In addition to increased customer satisfaction, we think partners have the potential to make $25 per PC in incremental margin on these projects, because the technologies make the process so much easier.These packages also create an opportunity for partners to offer new services and solutions, using technologies such as Microsoft SoftGrid and sequencing applications that enable customers to reduce PC downtime and application conflicts, gaining significant productivity," explained Mike Sievert, Corporate Vice President, Windows Product Marketing.

The Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack, the Windows Vista Hardware Assessment tool version 2.0, and the Windows Vista Business Value Assessment tool ultimately drive the adoption of Windows Vista. "These solution sets are designed to help partners reduce their costs, cut down the time necessary for implementations, and ultimately, satisfy their customers. In addition to increased customer satisfaction, we think that partners have the potential to significantly increase their margin per PC on these projects, because the technologies make the process so much easier," Sievert added.