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As well as Vista, Microsoft is also releasing Office 2007, its productivity and collaboration software, and Exchange Server 2007, its 64-bit only back-office messaging system.

All three can be considered business-oriented releases, given that the consumer versions of Vista (Basic, Home and Ultimate editions) will be available 30 January 2007 and the new web services and group collaboration features of Office 2007 are aimed at work groups rather than individual users per se. Exchange Server 2007 is the underlying software that powers Outlook clients.

Specifically, Windows Vista Business edition will now be available to corporate customers who hold an enterprise licence, or software assurance deal with Redmond.

Gordon Frazer, Microsoft UK managing director, said: 'These products deliver game-changing innovation. We've made extraordinary investments in research and development and Windows Vista, the 2007 Office system and Exchange Server have been tested more thoroughly than any other software products in history.'

Despite the delays it has suffered - it was originally planned to appear March 2005 - Microsoft still has high hopes for Vista. Backing from IDC came in the form of recent research suggesting that Vista will be

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installed on more than 100 million computers worldwide. Windows already sits on more than 90 per cent of the world's computers, it reported.

As well as increased security and integrated search facilities, Vista features a new user interface with translucent windows and three-dimensional scrolling.

'In my opinion, it is the most secure system that is available and it's certainly the most secure system that we've ever shipped,' said Jim Allchin, co-president of the platforms and services division at Microsoft, earlier this month. 'I have incredible confidence in the quality of the operating system.'

To bridge the gap before the arrival of Vista for consumers, Microsoft launched an Express Upgrade programme in October. Applying to PCs that are pre-loaded with various flavours of Windows XP or 2003 Microsoft Office software, it provides certain low-cost upgrades to Vista.

A look at the figures behind today's launch emphasises the importance of the software to Microsoft. It is estimated that global Windows sales have passed the $12 billion mark, with Office not too far behind, racking up $10 billion for Redmond.

'During the last decade, Windows 95 and Office 95 transformed the way people work,' said Steve Ballmer, CEO Microsoft. 'The three new products announced today are the most advanced work that Microsoft has ever done and I believe they signal the beginning of a new wave of innovation that will have an even more profound impact during the next decade.'

You can read more about Vista here and about Office 2007 here. You can read more about Exchange Server 2007 here.