Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer claims businesses moving to Windows 7 could save up to £100 per PC per year.
Cost savings could be made from easier PC management in Windows 7, as well as simplified processes and better in-built security, he said at a customer event in London for the new operating system. The Microsoft chief however, declined a customer request to overhaul licensing.
Ballmer said businesses needed a "new efficiency", where they used more effective IT systems within tighter cost constraints.
Early UK adopters of Windows 7, which is given a full UK release on 22 October, include airport authority BAA, carmaker Aston Martin, BT, Camden Council and Warwickshire County Council.
Referring to complaints over Windows 7 predecessor Vista, Ballmer joked that he hoped the new operating system would be met with less "vibration" in the market than Vista, a comment that brought laughter from the audience.
He was asked by a customer if Microsoft would simplify its licensing terms, which the customer described as "complex", with "lots of small print", adding that "we can easily trip up on them". The question raised a round of applause from other customers.
But while acknowledging the discontent over licensing, Ballmer said Microsoft would only tweak some points instead of overhauling the agreements.
"I don't anticipate there being a round of simplifying licences," he said. "Usually when you do, something goes missing, people lose out on opportunities and on cost savings that have been deliberately built in."
"We want simplification without price increase," he added. "Last time we simplified licences, we overdid it and customer satisfaction fell."
Separately, Ballmer also announced the new release of Windows Server 2008, which he insisted was "more cost effective than VMware", and offered live migration to ensure business continuity.
He said he did not expect businesses to move virtualised infrastructure away from VMware, but rather to choose Windows for new environments: "Don't rip and replace, because Windows Server gives you the tools to manage VMware."
Microsoft detailed the release of Exchange Server 2010 as well, which Ballmer said offered simpler data protection and archiving, flexible storage and high availability, and a "rich experience" on PCs, phones and web browsers.
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Comments
sirjohng said: To get back to the point - to roll out a new operating system in any volume will involve some of the cost elements I described and others I have not such as operational disruption These costs will weigh heavily against the heralded saving and will probably be unwelcome in the current climate The security improvements of Win7 will probably figure large in the mix and may well account for many organisations opting to upgrade when you factor in the cost of attack downtime and the possible customer dissatisfaction which may result I could expand further but I was trying to get over the point simply at first
Sirjohng said: Volume licences start at 5
Hmmm said: you multiply the figures by the number of licences and you get to the VOLUMEErrr no you dont None one of the coststimescales you mentioned apply to a business large enough to have volume licensing
sirjohng said: Exactly I can read and I can also read so you multiply the figures by the number of licences and you get to the VOLUME Der You have to start somewhere and that is usually with 1 It is all only a for instance anyway no need to get so heated about comments Windows 7 is seemingly a very good attempt by MS to make amends for Vista Lets hope it makes them money because if they go bust so do we all potentially
I can also read said: I agree with the guy who can also read its a bout volume licensed businesses not home users read the actual article before you make stupid comments
Robbin Kaye said: HiOn top of the savings we made changing to XP and then to Vista Microsoft now seem to owe us money
I can read said: The story is aboutVOLUME LICENSED BUSINESSES
Ray Woods said: Well if you can save 100yearPC with Windows 7 then using your old OS or something like Linux Mint will save you much more
sirjohng said: Take off the 150 to buy it 70 for an external drive for data backup the 2 hours to reformat and install the next 5 hours to reload and configure all your software and find missing drivers the next 2 hours replacing all your data files and learning the basics of the new system all at 15 per hour 135Thats 100 - 355 -255 or another 25 years worth of Microsoft savings until you see money back in yor pocket And of course that is just on one PC Good deal Microsoft Staying with your current OS 0