Study: Vista Will Add 50,000 Jobs in EU

Likely aimed at allaying European Union fears, a Microsoft-commissioned study by research firm IDC indicates 50,000 jobs would be created across six countries in Europe as a result of Vista. While the study confirmed Microsoft is expected to profit handily off the next-gen operating system, the profits for partners would be much greater, it said.

IDC expects Vista to be installed on 30 million computers across those six countries, and 105 million worldwide during 2007.

The study covered the UK, France, Denmark, Poland and Spain, who comprise two-thirds of IT spending in the EU. More than 150,000 companies employing 400,000 people across these countries will either develop or sell products for Vista next year. 650,000 more would work in the IT departments of these companies, the study says.

Employment for Windows-related professions could jump as much as 100,000 next year, and provide great economic benefits for the companies who use it. More than half the gain in Windows-related employment is expected to occur specifically due to Vista, IDC said.

In a comparison of revenues, Microsoft would make a single euro for every 13 euros the so-called "Microsoft ecosystem" would make, the study found.

Microsoft's relationship with Europe has been quite rocky. The EU has already fined the company for its antitrust behavior, and then fined it again for failing to abide by the decision. Antitrust regulators have also now expressed dismay over the security features within Vista, with Microsoft warning Vista could be delayed in the region if they are forced to tinker with the code.

Critics of Microsoft's monopolistic tactics see the study as smoke and mirrors. While a monopoly may create jobs, it also has the side effect of stifling innovation, they argue.

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