With an adoption rate that trumps every other Microsoft operating system ever released, Windows 7 is swiftly on its way to replacing Windows XP as the most-widely adopted operating system in the world.

And, says Traci Maynard, general manager of Tarsus Technologies’ software division, it doesn’t look like Windows 7’s momentum is showing any evidence of slowing down.

While she’s the first to admit that this has been helped by the fact that Windows XP hasn’t been available as a pre-install option on PCs and notebooks since October 2010, she says that the vast majority of customers that she speaks to enjoy the refreshed interface and numerous improvements Windows 7 has brought into the mix.

“More specifically,” Maynard says, “Windows 7 is unparalleled when it comes to managing system resources effectively, which in turn creates a great balance between overall system performance and stability.”

“Microsoft’s strong focus on security with this release has also meant that the business sector is moving far more quickly with its migration from Windows XP to Windows 7,” she says.

“Round this out with the fact that Windows 7 offers unprecedented compatibility with legacy applications and operating systems, and you have a winner.”

Continuing she adds, “We also cannot discount how strong a contrast Windows 7 is to its predecessor, Windows Vista, which Microsoft itself has admitted wasn’t its best effort.”

“Over the past year-and-a-half there’s been a tangible difference in the way channel partners and their end customers feel about the Microsoft technology stack, not to mention the huge resurgence in the interest that computers and high-technology products have seen at a retail level.”

“XP is done,” she says, “and the sooner channel partners begin convincing their customers of Windows 7’s superiority, the sooner they’ll be in a position to capitalise on upgrading their customers’ client computing hardware and software.”

“It’s not often we’re faced with a clear opportunity such as this. And partners need to move quickly lest they get left out of the game,” she concludes.

While Microsoft’s new Windows 7 operating system has been met with far more enthusiasm and respect than its predecessor, the damage the company did with the release of Windows Vista in 2006 is taking some time to repair.

“While there’s undoubtedly a more positive outlook from our corporate and enterprise customers, the vast majority of IT directors and CIOs we’re dealing with haven’t yet made their plans for Windows 7 clear,” says Shane Krog, Acer desktop product manager at Tarsus Technologies.

“That’s the primary reason we’ve taken a two-pronged approach to the operating system we bundle with new Acer machines,” Krog continues.

“And interestingly enough, Windows XP is still on the agenda,” he says.

Because of the negative response that the market is still showing to Windows Vista, Krog says that each new Acer business computer comes with a choice of Windows XP or Windows 7 Professional.

“Users are able to select the version of operating system they would like to install on the system’s first boot,” he explains.

“The best part, however, is that should they change their mind at any stage, they can simply back their data up and using Acer’s eRecovery management tool, reboot into the software provisioning feature and set it to factory restore with a different operating system.

“This substantially streamlines issues with software licensing, driver compatibility and overall ease-of-use,” he continues.

“We also see it as a substantial value-add, and based on feedback from our business customers know it’s a vital differentiator,” he says.

Ultimately Krog says that nobody can truly know when the switch to Windows 7 will take place properly, but in the interim Tarsus is ensuring that its customers have the convenience of choosing between the two most used operating systems on the planet.

“I personally believe that the market will be completely switched over by the middle of 2011,” he says.

“And more users should strongly consider the shift – Windows 7 is a vast improvement on everything that’s come before it,” he concludes.

Tarsus’ Acer PM takes a closer look at what the channel and its customers should know

The shipping date for Windows 7 is upon us and there’s still a ton of confusion in the technology channel as to what customers should know and what the primary reasons to upgrade are.

“The good news is that market experts seem convinced that Windows 7 is going to be a winner,” says Shane Krog, Acer desktop product manager at Tarsus.”

“Furthermore,” Krog says, “the confusion in the market is perfectly normal, considering the pain experienced with the adoption and subsequent support of Windows Vista through its stabilisation.

“However, resellers need to know that Windows 7 is a very different animal,” he says, “and having tested it internally for some months now, there’s absolutely no doubt in Tarsus’ mind that a swift migration to the new operating system is the best route to follow.”

But what benefits should resellers and their customers be aware of as they formalise their plans?

“The benefits that Windows 7 brings to the table can be divided into three categories; namely that it works better, allows users to be more efficient and improves security,” says Krog.

“Under the topic of ‘works better’,” Krog says, “the process of connecting to wired and wireless networks has been streamlined, the sharing of data has been simplified with home-groups and users largely being able to support themselves through troubleshooting issues with ‘Action Centre’.

“The most compelling benefit under the ‘works better’ banner is undoubtedly the fact that customers can run legacy applications in a separate XP-mode, which actually boots up a separate instance of Windows XP under the Windows 7 hood,” Krog says.

“We see this as one of the primary reasons to consider the OS,” he adds.

Under the banner of ‘more efficiency’, Krog says, “Microsoft has streamlined and extended its desktop search, allowing files and applications to be easily located; brought a feature called ‘Libraries’ into the equation to centralise access to music, pictures, video and other documents; substantially overhauled the way its operating system behaves visually; and made it perform better with older hardware.

“The most important benefit comes last, however, and Windows 7’s improved stability and security is a good enough reason to move on its own,” says Krog.

“Simple to use backup tools, built-in encryption that simply has to be enabled and the ability to roll a file-version back using the aptly-named ‘previous versions’ feature rank highly on the list of security and stability features that enterprises should be considering.

“The overall stability of the operating system in practice, evidenced by the fact that we experienced far less system crashes, no data loss and better application behavior during our testing is the clincher though,” says Krog.

“New features are great, however, there’s simply no substitute for the improved stability of the operating system – and we’re counting on that factor to drive confidence back into the market,” he concludes.