Windows 7 needs to target XP users

Expectations around Windows 7 remain high fuelled by the optimistic views of analysts but the latest high profile launch from Microsoft has its work cut out persuading existing users of XP they should upgrade. Full article from Microscope.co.uk

Some analysts are forecasting success with Forrester following on from upbeat forecasts made by IDC earlier this summer also revealing that according to a survey of users in Europe and the US a healthy majority plan to migrate to the latest OS within a year.

Nearly two-thirds of those IT decision makers in large and SME firms quizzed by Forrester said they would move to Windows 7 eventually. Tim Coulling, research analyst, at Canalys, said that the Microsoft needed to be clearly positioned as a business application.

“Microsoft needs to reposition the Windows 7 marketing campaign to put the business customer at the centre,” he said. “The challenge is not to convince business buyers that Windows 7 is better than Vista or Snow Leopard, but that it is better than XP,” he added that it would have a battle to wind XP down within a year.