This post is in reply to some recent questions raised by partners on Vista and Office.  While the documents referenced here will be posted on the UK Vista and Office Microsite, I have hosted them quicker for your convenience.

Files:

Top 10 reasons why Vista and Office are right for small businesses

Top 4 reasons why Vista and Office are right for small business

Document explaining to partners why the top ten features are great for small businesses

Why should your customer Vista and Office?

Because they need it to solve many IT and business problems.  Let's start with run rate.  Not everyone has Windows XP, so many people are dealing with the computers they bought over the last 7 years.  These people will need to buy new PCs, when they do, what will you tell them?  The answer is a business PC that is designed for the 21st century.  For those who have newer PCs and are not sure then the answer is that they might not want to upgrade just yet - this is not a "once only" offer - it will take years to move the whole world on, so don't be upset if not everyone wants to move today.

Find things

Search for documents, mails, web sites, contacts instantly - from Explorer or Outlook

If you are browsing documents, you see hi-res previews of them in the icon and can scroll through the complete contents in the preview pane without ever having to open the documents

Ever lost a Window on the task bar, now they all show live previews of the contents, so you can simply thumb over them to see which one is the one you need.  If you need a bigger picture, try the new Flip 3D to see them or a large 3D carousel

Mark items as tasks with one click in Outlook, then file it and always be able to find your tasks - no longer do you have to keep everything in your inbox as your action list

Make document look more stylish and professional

We are all time limited which means that there are limits to the effort we can put in to every communication we make.  Now it is possible to access tools that immediately enhance documents without compromising the time it takes to create them.  Even something as simple as a bulleted list or chart can now have extra impact - whether this is a brochure, proposal, web page or newsletter.

Enhancing your document can sometimes be a trial by dialog box, where you make a change, click ok, see what it looks like and then repeat again until you are satisfied.  Now with Office 2007 as you hover the mouse over the options it previews live on the screen changes you would make by clicking. This enables the creative juices to flow without interruption from prompts asking you if you are sure.

Manage the integrity of your data and your system

Loosing data is a real threat from hardware failures and malware, but more often than not we overwrite the files ourselves or make an update and then want to undo them.  Vista provides automatic file and system backup tools that mean that you can undo changes made to a file or event restore everything simply should your hard disk spin off to disk heaven or your laptop get stolen.  You can also get peace of mind should your computer be stolen as the Enterprise Edition can fully encrypt your disk meaning that it is unreadable to everyone.

Your system is also further protected against mal-ware with new spyware detection, updated phishing protection in the browser and enhanced administrator security protection

Work anywhere and share information safely and securely

Sharing information has got easier - want to share one file, right click on it and share it.  It simply works.  In an area without wireless networks, ask Windows Meeting Space to create a network from your PC that others can securely join.  In areas with wireless, the system is intelligent enough to know if the network is trusted or not and will lock down the firewall to further limit the access to your PC when in public or non-trusted places.

When in the Office or connected to a network, you have the power of shared calendars and contact through Outlook and document management through SharePoint, which even allows for a "sign-off" process to be added to documents

Improving the IT function

Vista & Office are a much easier pair to manage, with greater ability to self diagnose and provide report information to both customers and partners meaning less issues and quicker fixes. It might mean the ability to manage the desktop for the 1st time for many partners and a speedy solution for those who already deliver this capability

New User Interface

Both products have been overhauled to enhance both the look of the products, but also the usability of the products.  Vista includes the sidebar where gadgets can live and provide access to glancable information that users need for their job, or simply just enjoy.  The dynamic ribbon in Office adapts to the task at hand, suggesting where the tools you need can be found.

ttfn

David