14 DAY TRIAL // Traditionally, Microsoft has relayed on its ecosystem of retail, original equipment manufacturing, and system builders partners to sell its software solutions. Unlike Apple, which has its own retail outlets and also sells products via an online shop, the Redmond company has always used intermediaries to get its software to the general public. However, Microsoft is also making moves into the retail channel. It did so with the Windows Marketplace, and now it is repeating the maneuver with a new online store. The Microsoft Store is offering for sale various products including Windows Vista SP1, the Office 2007 System, and even design and development software.
"Consumers can now purchase and download our most popular products like Windows and Office online through the new Microsoft Store," stated James Senior, Microsoft UK Partner Technical Specialist. "So far the stores are available in Germany and the UK with other international stores coming online in 2008 and 2009. The platform which drives this online purchasing will become available to partners in the future so they can distribute our products electronically too."
Currently, the Microsoft Store is selling the Home Premium, Business and Ultimate versions of Windows Vista Service Pack 1, the Office 2007 System, Microsoft Math, Microsoft Works 9, and Expression Web, Media and Blend. The fact that the initiative is limited to just two markets suggests that this might be an experiment for the Redmond giant, more than anything else. This view is also supported by the limited number of products featured on the website.
"This is an interesting step for Microsoft and one wonders what the end game is here. Is this the brand we take into the high street to challenge Apple and it's stores to compete more effectively in the consumer space, or will we continue to leverage our retail partners?" Senior asked.