Vista Shakes Up the Ecosystem

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The maker of design software for engineers and architects in November introduced the ability for Vista users to view and print files created with its AutoCAD product right from their desktops, without downloading special software. The technique takes advantage of built-in Vista technology and could help Autodesk reach new customers by putting computer-aided design files in front of more people, says Amar Hanspal, Autodesk's vice-president for platform and geospatial solutions. "Microsoft has a huge role to play," he says.

Spinoff Applications

Though it's early days for Vista—the consumer version's been on the market for three weeks, and a business version debuted Nov. 30—software companies developing products for the system are already lining up in at least three camps: those angling for an early slice of the pie; those that need to wait and see; and developers simultaneously vying for Vista compatibility while competing against Microsoft.

The first group includes companies that can exploit some of Vista's most noticeable new technologies, among them new tools for generating graphics. Vista includes DirectX 10, new multimedia software that offloads more work from a computer's central processing unit to dedicated graphics chips, speeding performance of 3-D graphics and video playback. PC games should get a big sales boost as a result.

Accruent makes software that helps retailers choose the most profitable locations for new stores. Its customers include Starbucks (SBUX), McDonald's (MCD), and Target (TGT). In April, Accruent plans to announce a new product that takes advantage of Vista's graphics technology. The software, which the company has been testing with customers and demonstrating at trade shows, can generate 3-D maps that use colored bars and virtual push-pins to show which blocks most closely match a retailer's target demographic and the location of competitors' stores. Making the information simpler to view could result in more chief executives and chief financial officers becoming part of Accruent's customer base, says CEO Mark Friedman. "Business users get excited about new functionality and things that make their life easier," he says. "If it takes Vista for them to have it, then they decide they need Vista."

Video downloads could also get a shot in the arm. Microsoft has bundled into higher-priced editions of Vista its Media Center software for viewing on a TV screen movies and photos that are stored on a PC. Liberty Media (LCAPA) subsidiary Starz Entertainment on Jan. 30 introduced software that lets consumers who run some versions of Vista download movies from its Vongo service to a PC and watch them using a TV remote. News Corp. (NWS) unit Fox Sports Interactive on Jan. 30 launched its Fox Sports Lounge, an interactive Internet service that can serve up live game broadcasts, stats, and news articles to Vista users. "When people watch sports, it's increasingly becoming a multiscreen experience," says Fox Sports Senior Vice-President and General Manager Brian Grey.

Some third-party vendors are also readying products to fill a void in versions of Vista that lack fax capabilities (see BusinessWeek.com, 2/22/07, "Finding Vista's Fax Flaws"). RKS Software is preparing a Vista version of its $19.95 MightyFax, and NeTcFax plans to release a Vista-ready version on Feb. 25.

Higher Bar

But making products Vista-friendly isn't cheap or easy.