Multiple new features within XP could herald a feeding frenzy for
the channel. But are the punters hungry?
Microsoft's new operating system, combined with the launch of the
new Pentium 4 chip from Intel, could give the IT market its biggest
boost for some time.
Reason to cheer
The new OS should give consumers a good
reason to upgrade their machines. Microsoft advises that at least
1GByte free hard disk space; 128MByte memory and at least a PIII
233MHz processor are needed to run XP.
In theory, an upgrade cycle should be just around the corner.
Companies typically upgrade PCs every three years, and forecasts
have been for a 2002 upgrade.
Improved compatibility could also boost sales and service
possibilities for resellers. The newer the software and hardware
the end-user is running, the more likely it is to be XP-compatible.
This offers a clear channel opportunity to offer upgrades as well
as new products and installations to both existing and new
customers.
Additional features provided with XP also mean that users are
likely to need further training and assistance to fully utilise the
extra capability now at their disposal.
Reason to worry
But set against these positive
predictions must be weighed some negative outcomes. Some have
arisen from the uncertainty following the recent terrorist attacks
in the US and the cooling economic climate, both of which will take
a toll on budgets.
Independent of the economic slowdown, XP has the potential to cut
channel product sales as it bundles together many applications that
previously could be sold separately.
There are concerns too over security. Microsoft insists that the
new features and its inclusion of "raw sockets" in XP will not
leave users vulnerable to attacks.
But security concerns will offer considerable opportunities for
resellers. These include:
- Reinforcing customers' systems before an upgrade
- Installing XP and assisting with patches
- Any debugging that is required
- Installing new customised XP-specific security
products
Profit from confusion
The introduction of XP will
doubtless create confusion over certification and licensing. The
channel will have an important role to play in guiding customers
through the difficulties.
In the run-up to the release of XP, Microsoft is tightly monitoring
all online sales of old versions of Windows to prevent violations
of copyright or trademark.
The new Product Activation system launched with XP is also expected
to cause headaches for users and, as a result, opportunities for
resellers to fully support their customers.
PC vendors and XP
PC manufacturers are bundling Windows
XP on both existing and new models. New Compaq, HP desktop and
notebook PCs are being equipped with Microsoft XP as standard.
Dell has been taking pre-orders on existing machines loaded with
XP. All Dell systems currently shipping are XP-ready and meet the
minimum hardware requirements to run both XP Home and Professional
Editions.
Microsoft has admitted that it needs to be a better partner. The
way it handles the launch of XP and the support it offers the
channel will be an opportunity to match words with deeds. Whether
that will be enough to breathe some life into depressed markets
remains to be seen, but whatever happens Windows XP will bring both
opportunities and problems in its wake.