Vista launch could mean more business

Systems integrators and other IT contractors should see opportunities grow as agencies migrate to Microsoft Corp.'s new Vista operating system, according to a Microsoft-commissioned study by International Data Corp.

After the initial need for deployment and support services, other work related to Vista support will follow, a Microsoft official said.

Vista ultimately will run on 500 million PCs worldwide, he said. New security features in Vista operating system also took center stage at the product launch in Washington.

During development, when the choice was between security and interoperability, security won, said Bill Veghte, corporate vice president, Microsoft North America.
Several Defense Department and intelligence agencies plan to upgrade to Vista, mainly for the security features, Microsoft officials said.