Free! Client Patching at Microsoft: Microsoft uses a combination of Windows Update, e-mail, Systems Management Server (SMS), and log-on scripts to patch clients on its internal corporate network and has rolled out SMS 2003 to most corporate PCs
Free! Enterprise Sales, Consulting Get New Leaders: Enterprise partners and customers will see new leaders in Microsoft's sales and consulting organizations thanks to recent reorganizations
Patent Licensing Broadened: In an effort to turn patents into a revenue source, Microsoft wants to license its patents on the File Allocation Table (FAT) and ClearType to a wide range of device manufacturers
Microsoft and Industry Conferences: Table shows major Microsoft-sponsored conferences scheduled through July 30, 2004, and a selection of major industry conferences at which Microsoft and its partners are typically present

Server Applications

SQL Server Gets .NET, XML: The successor to SQL Server 2000, code-named Yukon, will integrate the .NET Framework, which introduces a powerful programming model and environment for server-side database development
Exchange Anti-Spam Update Planned: Exchange Intelligent Message Filter will let customers apply the spam-prevention techniques used by Hotmail to their own e-mail systems
Bare-Bones Live Communications Server Ships: Live Communications Server replaces Exchange Instant Messaging as Microsoft’s product for corporate real-time communications; the new product shows promise but lacks some comparable features
ISA Server 2004: Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server, Microsoft's firewall and caching product, will get a new release in 2004

Operating Systems

XP Service Pack Highlights Security Dilemma: The desire to increase the security of Windows XP is prompting Microsoft to include more new features and make more changes to existing features than are typical for a service pack
Tablet Updates to Drive Adoption: An update to Windows XP Tablet PC Edition in 2004 will increase the number of supported languages and improves ink recognition

Development Tools & Programs

Server to Aid Voice Response Applications: Windows Speech Server, a server application designed for Interactive Voice Response (IVR) applications, has entered its second and final beta and is expected to ship in 2004

Desktop Applications

Office 2003 XML Schemas: The default schemas used by Word 2003, Excel 2003, and InfoPath to save XML documents will be available royalty-free at Microsoft's Web site

Commercial & Consumer Services

Personalized News Service Tested: The MSN NewsBot aggregates news stories and arranges them based on their likely relevance to the user, suggesting how future MSN sites and services might offer a more personalized experience
Music Download Service Planned: A downloadable music service slated to launch in 2004 will boost Microsoft's digital media strategy, but may also harm Windows Media partners and require additional investment in MSN

Appliances & Emerging Networks

Updates to Boost Public Wi-Fi: Updates to Windows XP and Windows Server 2003 called Wireless Provisioning Services (WPS) will address security and fragmentation problems that are hampering adoption of wireless LANs

Sales and Support

Programs Build ISV Businesses, Channels: The Business Builder and Channel Builder programs will give Microsoft-related ISVs new business skills and marketing opportunities
Local Language Initiatives: Efforts in India and Africa to make Windows available in more languages will promote technology adoption and help improve Microsoft’s relations with local governments



	Member Log On \| Contact Us \| About Us \| Samples \| Subscribe \| Jobs