Can Windows 8 Win it for Channels?

Microsoft -Windows 8 (October 26, 2012) and other bouquet of new products, almost every one has been eagerly waiting and gearing up to see the success of Windows 8. But will Microsoft Windows 8 disappoint the Indian channel community, unlike its predecessor Windows 7 and Vista.

Although Microsoft has taken significant pre-channel friendly decision to make its channel base wider and happier, but are these decisions enough for partners and their business growth? As the launch of Windows 8 could be the most anticipated release of the year, Microsoft is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring ts latest OS does not follow the path of its predecessor. Nevertheless, the partner story with Windows 8 has improved noticeably because Microsoft has focused on providing early access and rolling out of channel-centric program.

The Indian channel community is expressing positive expectations for a better outcome with Microsoft's next operating system-Windows 8, which was recently made available for testing and now the final and big launch is approaching shortly. It is a version of the software that provides opportunity to the users to experience Windows 8 before the commercial version is available. The company has started reaching out to users, application developers, etc.

Moreover, PC vendors are awaiting the launch of Windows 8 (scheduled for October) to come out with new products. For example: Lenovo is embracing Windows 8 with a madefor-Windows 8 tablet - the ThinkPad Tablet 2 - ready for launch when the new operating system launches in October and is pitching it for enterprises. Even, Asus has 7-8 new tablets and notebooks for consumers in their roadmap based on Windows 8. While the PC vendors and channel community have started created buzz around Windows 8. On the flip side analysts have a different story to share.

Gartner says Microsoft is taking a big gamble over the next few months with Windows and Office, the two products responsible for most of its revenue and profit. With Windows 8, Microsoft is trying to address the excitement of the tablet market by adding tablet interface to Windows.

According to Gartner, "It is a risk that Microsoft must take to stay relevant in a world where mobile devices with new modern experiences becoming the norm. Moreover, the research firm is organizing debate about the future for Windows 8 at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, October 10-12, Goa."

PARTNERS' EARLY REACTION
On the other hand, the period prior to the new OS shipment is also likely to be dull because customers postpone purchases, and this is a cause of worry for channels in 2012.

While sharing early feedback of end customers, Paresh Shah, CEO, PH Teknow says, "Overall the initial feedback looks positive but slow at the same time, as customers are holding their PC purchase and waiting for the Windows 8 availability. Having said that, we are betting on faster adoption of Windows 8 among our customers. Currently, we are running paper license trials, and expect upgrades to go high in next 15-20 days. Largely, we expects end customers, assemblers and students would be the early adopters for Windows 8 as corporate customers may take little longer due to the budget. Furthermore, we are also training our customers on addressing complaints of customers related to Windows 8. Internally, we are testing beta version of new OS and the experience is completely refreshing."

Similarly, Dehradun based Vikas Dewan of Strategic Marketing said, "Till today, none of the Microsoft officials have directly and indirectly approached us on Windows 8, but we are educating customers on the available option of Rs 699 upgrades from Windows 7 to Windows 8. Overall end customers are quite excited and waiting for 2008 launch."

Microsoft partners saw some key improvements in the user interface. "The graphical elements have received a ‘Metro facelift' and certain touch-friendly UX elements have been added, including easily invoked full-screen views and some nice over-sized buttons along the right and bottom edges of the screen in Outlook. But the touch-first elements to the UI feel evolutionary to me, rather than disruptive," added Atul Modi of Modi Infosol.

"In addition to the ability to sync files and preferences across devices using SkyDrive, the integration of cloud computing and the new Click to Run virtualization technology are Office 15's most interesting features," according to Shah.

In the business world, partners expect the usual pattern will take root customers who are still on Office 2007 (rather than 2010), and are planning to upgrade, may go directly to 2013. Other customers, especially those who have recently migrated to Office 2010, will likely wait.

Similarly, Paramjit Juneja of Secant Technologies said, "Users who are currently working on Windows Vista or XP may leap toward Windows 7 and go straight to Windows 8 because of the positive reviews it has been getting. "I think our customers are going to wait. Like all of us, it depends on the lifecycle of where you are in the upgrades."