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Announcing a "Vision and Strategy to Accelerate Virtualization Adoption", Microsoft said that its aim is to simplify and reduce the cost of deploying virtual environments that allow more than one operating or server system to be run on the same hardware.

"Very few customers are able to reap the benefits of virtualisation today," said Bob Muglia, senior vice present of the Server and Tools Business at Microsoft. "We estimate that less than 5%

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of companies are utilising virtualization technology because it is simply too cost-prohibitive and complex."

Parallels developer SWSoft welcomed the change of heart, saying that it shows that Microsoft is committed to virtualisation.

"This move is a good thing for Mac users, since they now have a cost-effective way to access Windows Vista and its massive software library," said Benjamin Rudolph, director of Corporate Communication. "It also makes it even easier for Mac users to keep using OS X, but still integrate with a Windows-centric office."

Microsoft has also completed the acquisition of Calista Technologies, a provider of graphics technologies for desktop and presentation virtualisation software. Microsoft said that the addition of Calista's technology to future Microsoft presentation and virtualisation products "will enable remote workers to receive a full-fidelity Windows desktop experience without the need for high-end desktop hardware, while enabling software vendors to deliver additional capabilities".