Microsoft is expected to launch its latest Windows 8 operating system in October and would be hoping that the OS would give a fillip to the company's fortunes, helping it establish a stronger foothold in the consumer market. However, if the Redmond-based company's Windows 8 OS is a failure, would businesses be impacted?

According to Paul DeGroot, principal consultant at Pica Communications, businesses would not be affected drastically if the Windows 8 OS were to flop. Most businesses that have a tie-up with Microsoft already have an existing operating system like either Windows XP or Windows 7. The ones who are on Windows XP are likely to transition to Windows 7 by March next year, before support for XP ends in spring.

DeGroot opines that in the scenario that Windows 8 is a complete washout, enterprises can easily stick to Windows 7 and bide time till Microsoft makes the necessary improvements to its Windows 8 service pack.

After all that's what happened with Windows Vista, says Matthew Casey, an analyst with Technology Business Research, and Microsoft can handle a disappointing Windows 8.

"Most of the companies I work with are standardising on Windows 7. They are not going to be migrating to Windows 8," noted DeGroot. He also estimates that many businesses would likely purchase a Windows 8 license, but would end up not migrating to the new OS. A similar pattern had ensued when Microsoft had launched its not so successful Windows Vista, with licenses being purchased but users continuing to be on Windows XP.

Matthew Casey, an analyst with Technology Business Research, avers that Microsoft is capable of dealing with the failure of Windows 8.

"If that's the case we'll see a similar reaction from Microsoft. It's not going to be them closing their doors," noted Casey.

Additionally, most consumers are likely to be on an alternative tablet platform which they prefer and, therefore, are not expected to be impacted in a big way either if Windows 8 does not become popular.

However, research firm Gartner Inc. is of the opinion that Microsoft could well miss out on an opportunity to establish its presence in the mobile devices market, if the Windows 8 launch ends up disappointing.

"It is a risk that Microsoft must take to stay relevant in a world where mobile devices with new modern experiences are becoming the norm," said Gartner in a research note "With Windows 8, Microsoft tries to address the excitement of the tablet market by adding a tablet interface to Windows," noted Gartner.

With Windows 8, Microsoft has introduced Windows Runtime, which provides a common base for all application across an array of devices. With the launch of Windows 8 at the New York press event on Oct. 25, and the offcial release on Oct. 26, Microsoft would be hoping that it is on to a winner and the OS uplifts the fortunes for the company.