Caroline DavisIndependent research is beginning to support Microsoft's claims
that Windows 2000 is more scalable and robust than its
predecessor.
Enterprise users can expect to realise early benefits from
migrating to the new operating system, according to a report by the
Butler Group. Ian Bramley, report author and chairman of the
Enterprise NT Management Forum at Butler said, "It's a robust
system which offers very good value for money."
The report, published next week, comes less than two months
after the launch of Microsoft's latest operating system. It found
that Windows 2000 had made "significant improvements" on its
predecessor Windows NT and suggested that the operating system
could now compete directly with Unix.
What NT lacked in scalability, availability, manageability and
security had been plugged in Windows 2000. In benchmark tests,
Butler Group found that it offered 70% more performance for one
third of the cost of Unix. "Although top end Unix systems such as
Sun's Solaris are robust and proven, even they will feel the pinch
of the price performance of Windows 2000," Bramley added.
However, users must consider factors other than price and
performance when moving to a new platform. The main factor that
will deter companies from switching to Windows 2000 is the amount
of new skills required, Bramley warned. "There is so much new
functionality that even those experienced in NT will face a steep
learning curve. And it is not the simplest migration from NT to
Windows 2000."
Bramley saw no reason for companies to hold off implementation
even though the operating system is still in its first release.
He expects a rapid uptake of the operating system on desktops
and laptops.
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