Microsoft Touts Windows 7 Customers
Steve Ballmer -- or, quite possibly, somebody who writes e-mails for Steve Ballmer -- sent a message this week that went on a bit about the new economy and so forth and how Microsoft's products will fit into it. Then, at the end, Ballmer got to the interesting stuff: companies that have adopted Windows 7.
The names are not insignificant, with Ford and Continental Airlines among the charter customers. In fact, here is exactly what Ballmer said in his "executive e-mail" to subscribers (which we at RCPU received because we're plugged into the scene in Redmond, of course):
"At Intel, for example, Windows 7 is providing improved performance, greater application responsiveness, and a better platform for mobile workers. Ford is taking advantage of Exchange 2010 and Windows 7 to streamline communications, improve decision making, and boost productivity. Continental Airlines expects to save more than $1.5 million annually in hardware, software, and operational costs through the server virtualization capabilities of Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V technology.
"At Convergent Computing, an information technology consulting firm based in California, Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7 will eliminate the $40,000 in annual spending that was needed to maintain a virtual private network for the company's 55 employees. In addition, employees can now access the company's corporate network instantly and download files 30 to 40 percent faster than before.
"Another example is Baker Tilly, a London financial services firm with more than 2,000 employees and a network of partners in 110 countries. One of the first businesses to deploy Windows 7 on a company-wide basis, Baker Tilly expects to save about $160 per PC by reducing deployment, management, and energy costs. And because Windows 7 improves productivity, it offers the potential to increase billable time for mobile workers at a rate of nearly $600 per PC. This could return the equivalent of one-half of one percent of the company's current gross annual revenue to the bottom line.
"Businesses aren't alone in their struggle to respond to the new normal. Governments must figure out how to deliver more services on budgets that are sharply constrained by falling revenue. As part of its response, the city of Miami deployed Windows 7 and expects that it will save nearly $400,000 a year in reduced security, management, and energy costs."
Miami officials noted that the money saved will keep the city's citizens stocked with thong bikinis and automatic weapons. Just kidding. We think.
Posted by Lee Pender on September 30, 2009