Microsoft Highlights ISV Support for Windows Vista

Yesterday at the Professional Developers Conference 2005 (PDC05), Microsoft Corp. announced that more than 30 independent software vendors (ISVs) have already confirmed plans to deliver new applications optimized for the upcoming Microsoft Windows Vista operating system. The announcement signaled strong industry response to Microsoft’s next-generation operating system and the opportunity for ISVs to ride the accompanying upgrade wave. Windows Vista will empower ISVs to drive new business opportunities through next-generation desktop applications.

In conjunction with this, Microsoft also announced a new service within Windows Marketplace called Digital Locker, which will be available in the Windows Vista timeframe. Digital Locker will give ISVs a new channel to promote their products to millions of Windows customers.

With brick-and-mortar shelf space becoming increasingly limited, distribution of software is becoming more challenging for ISVs. Electronic software distribution (ESD) is an increasingly popular method for ISVs to get products to their customers. Microsoft’s goal is to help ISVs bring the products they are developing for Windows to their customers by helping make the consumer experience for buying and downloading software easier and safer.

The Digital Locker service, which was demonstrated at PDC, lets customers easily purchase, download and store information for software from the rich portfolio of products available on the Windows platform. More than 120,000 products and 10,000 free downloads are currently available at Windows Marketplace.

“Windows Vista represents the next step for the personal computer, builds on the successes of Microsoft .NET and offers developers a host of new opportunities,” said Sanjay Parthasarathy, corporate vice president of the Developer & Platform Evangelism Group at Microsoft. “The response we’re experiencing from the industry shows that our partners are seeing the value and market opportunities in betting and building on the advancements in Windows Vista.”