|
[The articles below were posted between March 31, 2003 and April 21, 2003 appear in the May 2003 hardcopy edition of Update. One or more are available below for free to non-subscribers.]
Server Applications
- Free! Management Roadmap Leads to System Center
- New versions of SMS and MOM will ship during the next 12 months, but eventually they will merge into a unified product called System Center
- Long-Term Plan for Manageability Announced
- Microsoft’s ambitious plan for end-to-end systems management shows innovative thinking but will require
support from hardware vendors and software developers to reach fruition
- SQL Server Updated Against Slammer
- An updated service pack and new product media for SQL Server 2000 will make it easier for organizations to protect themselves from the SQL Slammer worm
- CRM Partners for Hosting, Helpdesk
- Application service providers and ISVs team with Microsoft to enter the small to mid-size business CRM market
Operating Systems
- Free! Windows Administration Moves Beyond GUI
- A new attitude combined with new and improved technologies and tools makes command-line and scripted administration of Windows more viable
- Wi-Fi Protected Access for Windows
- A new update for Windows XP supports wireless adapters equipped with Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA), a replacement for the broken Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) security protocol
Development Tools & Programs
- License and Test Discounts for ISVs
- Small and mid-size software vendors can get discounted software licenses and technical help through Microsoft's new Empower partner program
- .NET Tools for Office Available
- Visual Studio Tools for Office allows developers to use Visual Studio .NET to build applications on top of Office 2003
Desktop Applications
- Office 2003 Lineup Announced
- Office 2003 will be offered in six different bundles through multiple purchasing channels; not all versions will include features such as XML and rights management
Commercial & Consumer Services
- Three Imperatives Drive Consumer Strategy
- To better withstand slumps in IT spending, Microsoft hopes to increase consumer PC sales, establish a consumer electronics presence, and profit from networked consumer services
- MSN Embracing Paid Search
- The industrywide success of paid search, in which advertisers pay to be listed in search results and online directories, could cause MSN to increase its investment in the area
Sales and Support
- CE Source Code Program Expanded
- New source-code licensing for Windows CE gives silicon vendors, integrators, and OEMs access to more source code and, for the first time, the right to distribute source code modifications commercially
- Microsoft Hones Strategy to Compete with Open Source
- Microsoft has updated alarms about the dangers of open-source software with more nuanced arguments that challenge open-source strengths such as access to code, developer community, and cost of ownership
- Small Business Server Licensing, Promotions
- New Small Business Server 2000 sales incentives include a steep discount on Software Assurance and extension
of a US$500 rebate program for SBS resellers
- Loan Program for IT Training
- Individuals can get a loan to build or enhance their IT skills through the Microsoft IT Skills Loan Program
Corporate News
- Q3'03 Profit Beats Record
- Q3'03 showed revenue growth in all areas of Microsoft's business except Home and Entertainment; Server Platforms and MSN were the most notable standouts
- Antitrust, Antispam, and Other Legal News
- Judges stay a Java 'must-carry' injunction and appear poised to reverse it; Microsoft files suits to stop spammers and to help OEM partners in a patent dispute with Lucent
|
