Sydney – 30 January 2007 – Microsoft Australia today announced at the consumer launch of Microsoft® Windows Vista™ and 2007 Microsoft® Office system that both MYOB and Quicken, leading providers of small business accountancy software, have locally developed gadgets to work on Windows Vista.
More than 30 other Australian independent software vendors (ISVs) have also developed, stabilised and deployed new applications to integrate with and enhance the Windows Vista and the 2007 Office system experience. These local ISVs include: Brookstone Technologies, Dataract, Anthem, Macroview, Eagle datamation International, IBA Health and JustOnePlace.
"Windows Vista represents the next step for the personal computer, builds on the success of Microsoft .NET and offers developers a host of new opportunities," said Frank Arrigo, Group Manager for Technical Community Developer & Platform Evangelism, Microsoft Australia and New Zealand. "The response we've had from the industry shows that our partners are seeing the value and market opportunities in betting and building on the advancements in Windows Vista and Office 2007."
The Australian technology industry is rallying around the biggest simultaneous software launch since Microsoft Windows 95 and Office. This is evidenced by the 86,000 Australian IT professionals, developers and enthusiasts who participated in the Beta 2 and release candidate testing programs.
Quicken and MYOB gadgets
Microsoft partner Quicken Australia, has developed a Sidebar gadget for Windows Vista. Quicken's gadget displays Quicken Alerts – reminding the user of scheduled activities such as dates on which to pay a bill via Quicken Personal. The information is displayed on the Quicken gadget's scrollable text window, and keeps information on the Windows desktop for easy reference.
Quicken Australia has also announced that the March 2007 release of its QuickBooks 2007/2008 range of accounting software – QuickBooks EasyStart, QuickBooks Accounting, QuickBooks Plus, QuickBooks Pro, QuickBooks Premier and QuickBooks Enterprise – will have "Work With Vista" certification. Any customer who has purchased a full version of QuickBooks since March 2006 will receive a free upgrade.
"Windows Vista is much more than an operating system, it's a platform that allows us to build new applications that benefit our customers," said Gavin Dixon, CEO, Quicken Australia. "The release of Quicken products that take advantage of Windows Vista features demonstrates our commitment to delivering state-of-the-art solutions to our customers in line with the leaders in the software industry."
MYOB has also developed a prototype Vista gadget that gives business owners an up-to-date figure on their bank balance in a compact informative Sidebar Gadget for Windows Vista.
The Bank Balance is a key performance indicator for a business owner and this gadget enables clear and up-to-the-minute information and visibility of their performance in this area, even while working on other files or applications.
MYOB has also confirmed that current versions of MYOB Accounting, MYOB Accounting Plus and MYOB Premier all run on Windows Vista. MYOB has updated its website – www.myob.com.au – to provide full details on compatibility with Microsoft's 2007 releases.
"MYOB is delighted with the improved security introduced with Windows Vista. This will be particularly appreciated by small business owners who often don't have an in-house IT team," said Chris Pattas, General Manager, MYOB Australia.
Microsoft is investing deeply with ISVs around Windows Vista including new Logo Certification programs. A new "Works With" certification will indicate applications will run and be supported on Windows Vista while "Logo Certified" applications indicate applications are designed and developed specifically for Windows Vista.
ISV's will also be able to highlight their applications through the ISV Developer Portal and reflect their level of application certification in the Microsoft Application Compatibility Toolkit 5.0. In addition a new ISV Windows Vista readiness program will help ISV's ensure their applications are in alignment and meet the Windows Vista application specifications.
What are gadgets?
Gadgets are mini-applications with a wide variety of possible uses. Gadgets can connect to web services to deliver weather information, news updates, traffic maps, Internet radio streams, and slide shows of online photo albums.
Gadgets can also integrate with many of your applications to streamline how you interact with them. For example, a gadget can give you an at-a-glance view of all your online instant messaging contacts, the day view from your calendar, or an easy way to control your media player. Of course, gadgets can also have any number of dedicated purposes. They can be calculators, games, sticky notes, and more.
Windows Vista comes with an essential set of gadgets to get you started. You can easily download more gadgets from an online gadget gallery http://gallery.live.com. This gallery hosts gadgets from a wide variety of developers and offers an extensive selection to meet your interests.
If you're a developer, you can learn about creating gadgets at Gadget Builder Depot, the developer resource site http://microsoftgadgets.com/Build.
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For further information, please contact:
Cathy Jamieson
PR Manager
Microsoft Australia
Ph: 02 9870 2220 or 0412 177 738
cajamies@microsoft.com
Anne Flanagan
Howorth Communications
Ph: 02 8281 3830 or 0405 082 603
howorth@howorth.com.au