"We are profiting because we can build more virtual desktops on the same hardware," he said. "We calculate that we can save 15-20% on the cost of our platform."

Commenting on the news, TechMarketView analyst Angela Eager said that the virtualisation focus of Windows Server 2012 has the potential to disrupt VMware's march on the market.

"Its virtualisation capabilities allow workloads to shift between private data centres and those of service providers, creating a more flexible environment," she said.

"Businesses will be able to build and manage their own private clouds and suppliers will have the scope to exploit opportunities such as peak demand fulfilment to open up new areas of business."

Yuen added that Microsoft customers have reacted positively to virtualisation features in Windows Server 2012 because of the scale and the performance that it has demonstrated.