I came home this evening to this dandy gem sitting in my inbox.

Improving the Windows Vista experience for you and your customers

Microsoft is constantly looking for ways to improve our programs and products to help Partners sustain business profitability for long-term success.
Guided by the valuable suggestions and feedback from our partners, we have been working hard to improve Microsoft Windows Vista, culminating in the upcoming Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1). We’ve also heard concerns about how we have supported Partners with Windows Vista and have identified ways to improve the Partner experience.
Here’s what you can expect from us over the next few months:

• Delivery of Microsoft Windows Vista Business with SP1 via a Special Action Pack shipment to Partners worldwide soon after SP1 RTM. The kit will include full-install licence keys (not upgrade) in regions where Partners have not already received them, to make it easier for you to deploy the final release of Windows Vista Business SP1 for internal use.

• One full-install licence key for Windows Vista Ultimate with SP1 for internal use, so you can learn more about this product’s benefits and features for customers who need a single PC to fulfil their work, travel and entertainment needs. We plan for this software to be delivered in your regular Action Pack quarterly update (April/May 2008).

• A comprehensive set of readiness resources to enable you to sell and support Windows Vista solutions for your small or mid-sized business customers as Windows Vista momentum builds with the release of SP1.

• Exciting incentives and promotions that reward you for learning, using and selling Windows Vista.

This change to the Action Pack is something that Action Pack subscribers have been wanting for the past year when Vista Business Upgrade was included in the Action Pack. This will cut the installation time in half by giving us a full version OS versus the Upgrade, which required us to install, then upgrade that installation to be able to activate with the Key provided. Having SP1 integrated within the DVD will be another welcome addition.

I, for one, will be happy to finally be able to install Ultimate on my laptop for the added security of Bitlocker.

Are you looking forward to the Action Pack changes as well?

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