Microsoft unveils beta 2 version of two products

NEW DELHI: Microsoft Corporation India Pvt. Ltd. today announced the availability of beta 2 for 2007 Microsoft Office System and Windows Vista - the upcoming versions of its flagship Office and Windows offerings.

The announcement marks a significant milestone in the development process of these offerings, as it allows the broad customer and partner community to test the product features and provide feedback before the final version of the product is launched.

These offerings represent Microsoft's next generation platform for business computing needs and are expected to be available in the last quarter of this calendar year.

The 2007 Microsoft Office System is a comprehensive and integrated system, which includes programs, servers, services, and solutions designed to work together to help address a broad array of business problems.

Among the path breaking features in the 2007 release of Office are the all new User Interface; SmartArt Graphics; New quick file formatting capabilities - inbuilt PDF file converter and Office XML formats; Live preview capabilities all set to revolutionize desktop user experience.

Commenting on the announcement, Neelam Dhawan, managing director, Microsoft India, said, "Windows Vista and 2007 Microsoft Office System will help businesses become People Ready, allowing them to leverage their most important assets - their people for business success today and in the future. The two products offer path breaking innovation, and today's announcement marks an important milestone towards the delivery of our next generation platform for business computing."

Windows Vista Beta 2 is available now for MSDN and TechNet subscribers, as well as Technology Adoption Program (TAP) and TechBeta members.

With the public availability of the 2007 Microsoft Office System, Microsoft India has rolled out a host of customer accessibility programs targeted at diverse customer segments. Each these programs have received an overwhelming response from the audience so far.

Enterprise Customers: Currently there are two specific programs that have been rolled out - Rapid Deployment Program targeted at early adopters of Office System and Windows Vista as well as the Momentum Program targeted at customers who want to gradually move onto a Pilot Program. Currently there are more than a 100 customers enrolled in these programs.

Developer Community: The MSDN Beta Experience Program has already got 5000+ developers enrolled, interested in evaluating various new products and developer tools around 2007 Microsoft Office System and Windows Vista.

Partner Community: The ISV Ascend Program and the SI Partner Solution Series Program are feedback mechanism programs targeted at Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) and System Integrators and would be delivering the first set of products leveraging the 2007 Office System and Windows Vista. Additionally, to get market ready for this huge wave of products, Microsoft India is planning a 4 city Partner Readiness Day to be rolled across key metros in June 2006.

Windows Vista Beta 2 is available now for MSDN and TechNet subscribers, as well as Technology Adoption Program (TAP) and TechBeta members. In the coming weeks, Microsoft also will broadly release a Customer Preview Program build of Windows Vista, inviting consumer tech enthusiasts to download the new OS and begin testing the various consumer scenarios. Enthusiasts are encouraged to register themselves at http://www.microsoft.com/betaexperience/enin and learn more about Windows Vista and 2007 Office System.