Win2000 beta tester sees strength in language skills

European businesses anxiously awaiting the arrival of Windows 2000 this week may be relieved to hear the positive experiences of one beta tester.

Japanese investment bank, Nomura, claims Windows 2000 is the best tool on the market for doing global business - this, despite warnings from the Gartner Group that businesses should not install Microsoft Windows 2000 until its first service pack is released in June.

Craig Schiffer, MD, debt markets division at Nomura, explained: "Over the next few years, it's important for us to develop those global business lines around the world and I think Windows 2000 can help us with that process."

Schiffer cited Windows 2000's ability to translate multiple languages on the fly as a key advantage, which enabled the company to work in global markets, and to maintain a multi-cultural working environment.

However, one Nomura UK employee, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "It's a bit shaky."

Microsoft Windows 2000 is due to launch worldwide on 17 February. The full report on Nomura's beta testing experiences is available in this week's News in View, in the Enterprise OS Channel (see http://www.silicon.com/a35734 ).