Vista security usability to slow 2007 sales
Microsoft shareholder's expectations of Vista giving the company a much needed boost to its bottom line may well have to wait a couple of years, according to a newly released report. The much awaited security improvements are expected to give users usability issues.
The report released by Yankee Group Security Solutions & Services program manager, Andrew Jaquith, predicts that the significant security improvements to Vista will cause end users headaches in the usability department. That combined, with the expense of upgrading, including the cost of security adds up to 2007 not being a great year for sales.
A problem for Microsoft is that Windows sales, which account for nearly half the company's profits, are slowing and revenue only grew 7.6% for the first three quarters of 2006 compared to the corresponding period in 2005. Microsoft Office, the comopany's other big money eraner, is in a similar position. The company was counting on 2007, with the simultaneous release of Vista and Office, as being the year where the revenue and earnings would be given a much needed shot in the arm. However, Yankee Group believes that the software giant may need to wait an extra year or so for the benefits to flow through.
