14 DAY TRIAL // With Microsoft Corp.'s renascent New Year's charge, it was only a matter of time before they grabbed people's attention. Microsoft has confidently launched a new Web site with a specific marketing campaign to try to convince users of the Unix-based systems to switch to Microsoft server products. This is especially the case for .NET technologies. NXT is Microsoft's latest independent-software-vendor- targeted initiative and through NXT, Microsoft is hoping to attract and incent ISVs with more than $5 million in revenue.
"We know we have only fifteen seconds to convince you why platforming your solution on Microsoft technology is a good business decision" is how the Web site grabs your attention, but does it do a good job at retaining it? Aimed at ISVs (Independant Software Vendors), Microsoft is trying to persuade them to move to the Windows Server System of products: Windows Server, SQL Server, BizTalk Server, System Center, etc.
"NXT is designed to make your migration easier and more cost-effective by giving you exclusive resources and benefits at each and every step to help ensure your transition to Microsoft is a success?"We recognize changing or adding a platform is a big decision. You need solid business reasons to back that decision and top-notch support to see it through."
With a big push soon to come, Microsoft has enabled the help of Aditi, ArtinSoft, ASNA, Augmentum, Aztec Software, Barry-Wehmiller International Resources, DTR Business Systems, Ness Technologies, NITI Technologies, Persistent, Sonata, and Symphony to help out any ISV that are interested in transitioning their Linux or Unix software to a Microsoft platform.
Their claims of decreased development costs, decreased time-to-market, and increased revenue are pushing this big persuasion, but will it work?
With Microsoft's recent patent ruling of the FAT file, competition might not even be a problem with Microsoft and Linux. If Microsoft further upholds their patent claims royalties then Linux cannot be distributed if it contains patented technology that requires royalty payments. It will be interesting to see how well they try to grab some of the market share, but more interesting to see if they actually need to try and compete with Linux (if they decide to seek royalties).
Check out the site for yourselves.