Microsoft lends enterprise customers a helping hand in identifying and resolving compatibility issues generated by the migration of their desktops and applications to Windows Vista. In this context, the Redmond Company has partnered with Wipro Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and Satyam Computer Services.

"Microsoft recognizes that application compatibility is one of the biggest barriers of deployment across the enterprise. The ACF simply helps customers determine how to make their existing applications work with Windows Vista. Our ACF partners help customers identify the application compatibility blockers, assess application inventory, determine the best course of action and conduct remediation services. Customers simply hire an ACF partner and they do all the work. All the ACF partners have participated in the latest Windows Vista training and are also able to assist with deployment," Dave Wascha, director of the Windows Client business group at Microsoft.

An enterprise involved in the Windows Vista Application Compatibility Factory would construct an application inventory, asses Vista deployment impact, create the application rollout and determine remediation actions and a final validation.

"We know that customers are excited about Windows Vista but may be reluctant to deploy in the first months after availability because historically application compatibility has been a major concern that they were left to deal with on their own. We're doing everything we can to help customers through this process with ACF and other tools such as the Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0," added Wascha.

The Microsoft Application Compatibly Toolkit 5.0 is currently in beta stage, but will be finalized after Windows Vista's release to manufacturing.