2. Migration services: Channel businesses who adopt Windows 8 early have the obvious opportunity to assist existing customers with migrations from Windows 7 to 8, or attract new customers by offering such services.

3. Educational/advisory role: While it may not generate revenue directly, there is an opportunity for partners who familiarise themselves with Windows 8 to act as advisors to customers exploring the OS. "The only way they can do this is to install the product themselves, test it, attend seminars, and form an unbiased view that is based around customers," Moses said.

4. Desktop virtualisation: Not necessarily exclusive to Windows 8, channel businesses have the opportunity to revisit the desktop virtualisation space as a foundation for migrations and thus avoid standard migration issues in the future.

Conclusion: Despite the opportunities, Moses said that there should not be a rush to take action. He recommends a patient approach for resellers, rather than a rapid business transformation. "If I was a reseller, I would sit back and see how it plays out," he added.