Representatives from around 1,500 of Ireland's leading businesses gathered in Dublin yesterday for a first glimpse of the long-awaited new operating system from Microsoft, Windows 2000.
The new business application system, which is planned to replace Windows NT, was rolled out simultaneously in 28 countries.
Microsoft's 1,500 employees at its Sandyford facility helped to translate the software into 16 languages for the European, Middle East and African markets. Despite the hype surrounding the launch, the new system is expected to have little impact on individual consumers. The name suggests it is a replacement system for Windows 95 and 98, designed for average consumers and home users, but it actually replaces Windows NT, Microsoft's business network platform deployed among multiple users. Home computer owners will have to wait until later this year for Windows Millennium Edition, the upgrade to Windows 98.
Over three hours yesterday afternoon, 2,000 IT administrators and network managers were given a detailed briefing on features of the new system, which are aimed at setting it apart from its predecessor.
Microsoft says it has worked very closely with the IT industry to develop the system, to ensure the new product does not suffer from the type of glitches NT Windows did.
The product, which cost $1 billion (€1.01 billion) to develop, has been hailed as the cornerstone of Microsoft's strategy to equip itself for the Internet age.
Windows 2000 comprises a series of operating systems for desktop computers, laptops and servers, the devices that power websites and internal corporate networks. It promises increased reliability, improved performance and simultaneous access by greater numbers. Microsoft hopes this will finally pitch it firmly into the lucrative market for high-end server software.
In an interesting twist, however, the new product may further compound Microsoft's existing woes with the US Justice Department. A US court has already ruled that Microsoft has abused a monopoly in operating systems to dominate the entire market.
Last week, the European Union's Competition Commission said it was investigating Windows 2000 to see if the new product would extend Micro soft's dominance in personal computers to the wider market. Meanwhile, several Irish operations publicly endorsed the product in Dublin yesterday, including the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs, Aughinish Alumina and EMC in Cork.
One feature generating considerable interest was Windows 2000's Active Directory, which promises to make managing files and applications much easier for network operators. From one location IT managers can install particular programs, including word processors and spread sheets, on remotely located machines. Another key feature is IntelliMirror, which saves copies of a user's files, programs and computer settings on both the server and the desktop. If a computer crashes in one location, it can be immediately restored elsewhere without any loss of data. Users can also move to different computers and retain their personal set-up and files.
Windows 2000 also supports XML, a new Internet programming language that is being increasingly used to create websites and allows businesses swap information, such as product orders, through the same interface.
