Amid a flood of positive industry sentiment, Microsoft today released its much-anticipated Windows 7 operating system in South Africa, saying it will “make it easier for users to do the things they want on a PC”.
“This is a significant moment for Microsoft and the industry as a whole,” said Mteto Nyati, the managing director of Microsoft South Africa, at the gala launch event in Sandton on Thursday evening - an event supported by high-profile technology sponsors, including Acer, Dell, Fujitsu, HP, Intel, Leaf, Lenovo, Mustek, Pinnacle, Samsung and Toshiba.
“Windows 7 marks a leap forward in the efficiency and simplicity of computing - it really does make everyday tasks easier, and it allows people to get the most out of computers of all styles and sizes.”
The new version of Windows is key for Microsoft for several reasons. For one, it signals what Nyati calls “a rebirth of cool” in the consumer market, where the company is sometimes perceived as playing catch-up.
Just as importantly, it's also the cornerstone of the company's 'three screens and a cloud' vision, in which people connect seamlessly to the Internet and their data wherever they are, using whatever device they have with them at the time.
At the event, Microsoft also announced the release of a new range of Windows phones, which it believes will further boost its growing presence in the local mobile sector. Among other features, the new phones provide greater usability, a better transactional browsing experience, and online backup for personal data, pictures and videos.
The company expects its partners to have several new devices in different styles and at different price points available before the end of the year, said Colin Erasmus, the head of the Windows business at Microsoft South Africa.
“Microsoft is leading the charge to create experiences that transcend individual PC, notebook, television and phone screens to create a connected experience across each of these routes to the Web,” said Erasmus.
“The new line of Windows phones is all about tapping into this connected experience through an easy-to-use interface, great browsing capabilities and access to valuable services.”
Not surprisingly, though, the primary focus at the event was Windows 7 - especially the stability, the performance and the new features. These include enabling computers, televisions, radios, digital picture frames and other “smart” devices to talk to each other. Multi-touch screen capabilities built into Windows 7 have also spawned a new generation of devices that further blur lines between televisions and PCs.
Microsoft worked more closely than ever with computer makers, users and software developers while crafting Windows 7. More than eight million people have evaluated the new system since Microsoft began a beta test phase in January this year.
This collaboration has led to Windows 7 being supported by an unprecedented array of new computers and software programs. With more PC options available for customers at a wider range of price points, Erasmus said customers can choose the PC that fits their personality, style and needs - especially the new lines of small notebooks that are proving increasingly popular in South Africa.
“Windows 7 will be available pre-loaded on personal computers as of midnight on Thursday 22 October. For those customers that bought machines with Windows Vista and are looking for upgrade options, there are several programmes in place - we recommend people speak to the original retailer,” said Erasmus.
Against this backdrop, it's expected that many companies working on Windows XP and Windows Vista will take the upgrade path to Windows 7 within the next 12-18 months. Local technology distributor Comztek is just one of the companies that has already made that leap locally, and now runs its mission-critical IT support operations live on Windows 7.
David Caygill, the business unit director at Comztek, said South African businesses need waste no time embracing the new OS. He said his company's bold early adoption strategy was already paying dividends by streamlining its mission-critical IT operations.
“We identified a lot of functional and monetary benefits of Windows 7 early on,” said Caygill. “Most important is that Windows 7 works. It's stable, responsive and helping us maintain a cost-effective IT business.”
For more information on where you can purchase Windows 7 or a Windows 7-powered PC, notebook or device, please visit www.simplifymylife.co.za.
Dell SA's Ockert Cameron said Windows 7 was “a major leap forward in the battle for computing productivity.
“By upgrading, your organisation gains engaged, productive users and a reliable platform to help build an efficient enterprise. With Windows 7, your organisation can experience increased data protection, increased performance and ease of manageability,” said Cameron.
This week, Dell will be launching its colourful range of products in Incredible Connection to further extend its reach to the consumer. Dell's products all come pre-loaded with Windows 7 and will be available in-store from today.
Gregory Cline, Enterprise Business Development Manager at Intel Corporation South Africa, said Intel had worked with Microsoft throughout the development of Windows 7 to help simplify the PC experience for the end-user, improve performance and responsiveness, and drive better energy efficiency.
“By working directly with Microsoft, we have ensured that the Intel platforms meet all the requirements for Windows 7,” said Cline. “Together, our products deliver new ways to improve performance, energy efficiency, security and virtualisation to give business a solid performance foundation. Greater application compatibility and enhanced security provide the capability to increase PC responsiveness and safeguard data for greater business productivity.”
Andr'e de Waal, the marketing manager at Mustek, said Mecer had synchronised its heartbeat with Microsoft's in April 2009 to count down the launch of Windows 7. The Mecer Windows 7 launch features seven special PC and notebook configurations.
“Mustek accelerated its Windows Hardware Quality Laboratory certification process to be ready for Windows 7's worldwide launch, and, after extensive tests on hardware, system drivers and devices, was the first OEM in the Middle East and Africa region to attain the sought-after Windows 7 WHQL (say wickle) certification for Mecer PCs and notebooks,” said De Waal.
Francois Lottering, Proline Brand Manager at Pinnacle, said Windows 7 was “an absolute pleasure to work with.
“I believe Windows 7's simplicity and accessibility will change the way we think about the IT industry. One of the many positive things about Windows 7 is its demand in the industry: people have been anticipating this product for a long time, and its release will definitely generate sales for many resellers. Our customers will definitely benefit from its increased performance and ability to easily adapt to a customised platform,” said Lottering.
“Proline has prepared its channel by attaching Windows 7 on all our desktops and notebooks, and making them available to all our branches in preparation for the global launch.”
Ross Olver, Portfolio Manager, Business Clients at Fujitsu, said Windows 7 would enable users to gain more utility from their computers, particularly as Microsoft has incorporated several refinements designed specifically for an enhanced user experience.
“As a Microsoft Global Alliance Partner, we're extremely excited by the launch of Windows 7,” said Olver. “Our commitment to research and development has enabled us to develop more powerful and energy efficient computers. The power that Windows 7 brings as an operating system enables our customers to leverage that power to its optimum. Initial feedback that we have received from customers using the pre-release Beta versions of Windows 7 has been positive and I anticipate that Windows 7, together with our quality product portfolio, will find firm acceptance within the marketplace.”
Rory Read, president and chief operating officer of Lenovo, says Microsoft and Lenovo engineers have worked together for the past three years to jointly create a PC experience that is better, faster, more stable, and more secure.
“This has been an unparalleled effort to integrate hardware and software from the ground up. As a result, we've created new innovations in touch technology, improved speed and performance across the board and developed a host of other enhancements that will make a meaningful difference to our customers," said Read.
Reon Coetzee, sales manager for Toshiba Africa, said technology providers were continually under pressure to deliver cutting-edge technology that not only gave users the level of functionality that they required, but reduced the overall operating costs of utilising the technology.
“Windows 7 represents an important step for Microsoft as it has truly delivered an operating system that allows consumers and business customers to do more with less - whether they are desk-bound or on the road,” said Coetzee. “Windows 7 is undeniably the most reliable, secure and robust operating system that we've ever been able to offer on our computer products and we're very excited to recommend Windows 7 as part of our value proposition of leading innovation.”
Gavin Slevin, Product Manager of Samsung Notebooks, says Samsung has been working with Microsoft on Windows 7 for some time.
“Windows 7 has been extensively tested by Samsung, with favourable responses received all round. Samsung is looking to migrate to the new operating system globally in the short foreseeable future. Consumers will shortly have access to this groundbreaking operating system which simplifies computing, adds new few features and uses resources more effectively, all of which results in a richer user experience,” said Slevin.
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