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Windows Server 2003 R2 Goes to Release Candidate Stage

The clock is ticking down for the debut of Windows Server 2003 Release 2 (R2), the next major release of the Windows Server operating system scheduled to ship this year. Microsoft reportedly this week issued its first release candidate (RC1) of Windows Server 2003 R2 to beta testers, and it sounds like the code doesn't look much different than the earlier release, which means its just about good to go. R2 will bring enhancements in the areas of security, administration, and storage, according to Microsoft. Specifically, R2 will simplify the remote management of geographically dispersed Windows servers from a central location, including new tools for minimizing local administrator tasks such as backups, and faster data replication. In terms of identity management, R2 will include new single sign-on (SSO) capabilities to reduce the number of passwords users must remember, and provide more centralized administration of applications. In the storage arena, new utilization reports will provide a higher level of detail on use of storage, new file-screening capabilities will prevent certain types of files from being stored on R2, and Microsoft also promises easier configuration of storage area networks (SANs). Unlike the security-focused Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1), companies that have not purchased Software Assurance or have entered into other maintenance contracts with Microsoft will have to pay to upgrade to R2. Unfortunately for Microsoft, few shops are even aware of R2. According to a Jupiter Research study of about 250 medium to large Windows shops this summer, one out of three Windows shops isn't even aware of R2, and another 25 percent, while aware of R2, have no plans to upgrade to it.

Microsoft Unveils October CTP of Windows Vista

A new beta version of Windows Vista was unveiled by Microsoft this week. The October Community Technology Preview (CTP) release includes a look at Internet Explorer (IE) version 7.0, the new version of the widely used Web browser. The version of IE 7.0 available to testers includes new features designed to improve the Web browsing experience, like Quick Tabs and Tab Groups. Other new features included in this release are the capability to zoom in and out of Web pages, new printing capabilities, and a phishing filter. The October CTP of Windows Vista also includes a new release of the Windows Media Player, version 11.0, and other new features like the Windows Mobility Center and support for the XML Paper Specification (XPS) format, which enables users to digitally sign documents. Windows Vista is the next version of the Windows client operating system, and is slated to ship by the 2006 holiday shopping season. The next Windows server version still goes by its codename, Windows Server "Longhorn," and is slated for availability in 2007.

Microsoft Improves SharePoint Portal Server with SP1

Microsoft yesterday posted the first major update for its Portal product, SharePoint Portal Server 2003 Service Pack 1 (SP1). According to Microsoft, SharePoint Portal Server 2003 SP1 contains significant security enhancements and bug fixes, as well as improvements in the twin pillars of stability and performance. The service pack bundles more than 20 fixes for various problems users have encountered since the product shipped, including various error messages encountered during common activities, such as creating personal Web sites or conducting a search; compatibility problems with Lotus Notes documents and Adobe PDF attachments; and problems encountered with the Japanese, Chinese, and Hebrew languages. Users can download the update here.

Siebel and Microsoft Streamline Development of Custom Apps with New Toolkit

CRM software maker Siebel Systems and Microsoft yesterday unveiled new software designed to make it easier for experienced developers to build highly customized CRM applications using Siebel and Microsoft technologies. The new product, called Siebel Component Assembly for Microsoft .NET, includes a metadata-driven, declarative development environment, as well as a library of pre-built CRM components that enable rapid application development for .NET, the companies say. Organizations using the Siebel Component Assembly will enjoy close integration with Windows clients, including Office 2003 and the Outlook e-mail client. The product will also support CRM applications across the Windows Server system, including Windows Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005. Siebel is currently in the process of being acquired by Microsoft's database rival, Oracle.

SAP Unveils 28 'Best Practice' ERP Kits for Midsize Businesses

SAP last week unveiled 28 new ERP software packages that it designed to help midsize businesses in a variety of industries get up and running on mySAP software quickly, while maintaining flexibility and minimizing the risks inherent in ERP implementations. The SAP Best Practices packages were customized for 15 industries (including automotive, chemicals, consumer products, consumer durables and home appliances, fabricated metals, high tech, home and personal care, industrial machinery, logistic service providers, mining, retail, pharmaceuticals, professional services, water utilities, and wholesale distribution), translated into 11 languages (including German, English, French, Spanish, Danish, Swedish, Norwegian, Finnish, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean), and can be equipped with "cross-industry" add-ons that provide functionality in the areas of business intelligence, CRM, supply chain management, Web portals, human capital management, forms, and international accounting standards. Each package includes step-by-step methodologies, reusable documentation, and pre-configuration settings that SAP says "provide everything needed to run specific key processes 'out of the box' with minimal installation effort." What's more, the German software behemoth is encouraging its huge partner network to build micro-vertical packages that further streamline the implementation of enterprise software, or what SAP calls "business content."

Mobile App at Danish Snack Maker Provides Real Benefits

Microsoft is touting the successful implementation of a new mobile customer service application at KiMs A/S, a Danish provider of snack and chip products, and a user of Microsoft Business Solutions' Axapta ERP suite. Mobile Sales Assistant, as the new application is known, was built on Microsoft's new tools, including SQL Server 2005, .NET Framework 2.0, Visual Studio 2005, and is implemented on a single device that salespeople now use to communicate with KiMs' servers and personnel; previously salespeople had to carry a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a laptop computer, and a pager to complete orders. The Mobile Sales Assistant was rolled out to KiMs 70-person sales team in August and September, and is already providing benefits, Microsoft says. For example, salespeople can now access various bits of information remotely, such as current inventory levels and historical purchasing data, which helps them do their job while on the road. The salespeople can even pull down the customers' most recent data from point-of-sales (POS) systems to get a "full picture" of that customer's profile, which can help salespeople tailor promotional campaigns to specific stores to maximize sales. In terms of numbers, KiMs expects the new software to lead to a 75 percent reduction in inventory losses, a back-office productivity boost of 20 percent due to the elimination of data re-entry; and savings of at least 15 percent in delivery costs by eliminating the need for drivers to make multiple trips to a customer. "Our business depends on our ability to offer consistently superior customer service," said Jesper Toubøl, technology manager with KiMs. "We now have a solution that addresses our unique needs, and we are very pleased with the results."

Going Mobile: IDC Reckons 850 Million Workers to Cut the Cord by 2009

According to research performed by IDC, there were more than 650 million mobile workers in the world at the end of 2004 and by 2009, the mobile worker count will grow by 200 million more. That will mean about a quarter of the worldwide workforce will not be latched to any particular physical location and will be in need of various technologies to keep them in contact with customers, suppliers, and co-workers. IDC says Asia/Pacific (not including Japan) has the highest number of mobile workers, followed by the United States, Western Europe, and Japan.