News: Software for Small Business

Microsoft Makes Changes After Vista Launch Delayed

Allchin to retire, Sinofsky moving to Windows team

by Keith R. Wheeler

3/28/2006

After building upgrade hype for months, Microsoft has postponed the retail launch of their Windows Vista operating system until sometime in January, 2007. The delay moves the Vista launch squarely after the holiday retail season. Following the announcement, Microsoft made leadership changes in the Windows division by bringing over the head of the Office division. With the Windows Vista code progress not satisfying the Microsoft executives, the decision was made to push the release to manufacturing date back at least two months. However, the delay only pertains to the retail versions. Versions of Vista targeting the business community are still scheduled for November sales. The Windows division at Microsoft hasn’t released a new operating system in five years – since Windows XP made its debut back in late 2001. The head of the Windows unit, Jim Allchin, has been planning to retire after the Vista launch. To replace him, Microsoft’s Windows division is bringing in Steve Sinofsky, the head of the Office division. Sinofsky has a sparkling reputation for getting the software out on time. The Office team enjoys a history of producing on time with the expected features. Until now, the Windows team has been better known for delays. That may be more of a function of the underlying complexity rather than the team leadership since the Windows team faces a significantly larger number of outside issues related to hardware and backwards compatibility. For the next version of Windows, we’ll see if Sinofsky can get the code out the door on time. The Vista delay may have a negative impact on the holiday shopping season. However, small business customers generally aren’t first adopters. Most will choose to wait for the new operating system to get some extended usage from consultants and larger business. Small business owners just don’t have the time to be beta-testers. Once Vista is released (consumer or commercial), the argument will need to be made to convince small business owner to upgrade.