IDC is publishing a report containing new data on the impact Windows Vista will have on the IT industry and on the broader U.S. economy in 2007. The report is based on IDC's Economic Impact Model (EIM), and is similar to the study of six countries in the European Union that the firm released in September. (Full disclosure: Both reports were commissioned by Microsoft in order to give us an objective measure of the potential impact of Windows Vista on local IT ecosystems and local economies. We are often asked how a new version of Windows affects the Microsoft ecosystem and broader markets, but until now hadn't had a way to quantify it.)
One of the more fascinating findings in the study is that Windows Vista is expected to create more than 100,000 new jobs in the U.S. in 2007 alone. According to the report, "While some of this gain would likely happen as a result of general market growth, between 2006 and 2007 Windows Vista's share of total IT employment is expected to go up by more than one percentage point -- a big number in an employment base of 10 million." Many of these new jobs are expected to come from new hardware, software or services businesses that are geared to run on Windows Vista. Say what you will about Microsoft or the Windows business, but new jobs are almost always a good thing, and it's exciting that IDC expects Windows Vista to create new opportunities for people.
A few more highlights from the study:
- For each dollar of Windows Vista-related revenue Microsoft receives in 2007, the IT industry at large will reap more than $18 in revenues.
- Microsoft partners will invest about $10 billion preparing and rolling out their Windows Vista-related products.
- Microsoft partners and others in the IT industry are expected to generate over $70 billion in revenues in 2007 directly tied to Windows Vista.
- In 2008, 80% of Microsoft client operating systems shipped into enterprises will be Windows Vista.
A full copy of the report is available here. Have a read, and feel free to leave a comment on what you think of the results, or on how you think your job or business or local economy will be affected by Windows Vista.
Source: IDC Says Windows Vista Will Create 100,000 New Jobs in US
Originally published on Sat, 09 Dec 2006 18:32:00 GMT by Nick White