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IT Weekly Roundup, June 2

From the business wires this week: a Windows auditing and reporting solution, a database development app for SQL and Microsoft highlights.

IS Decisions announced Wednesday the latest version of its auditing and reporting solution for Windows networks. WinReporter 3.5 features 13 new reports covering: changes in devices, users and services; memory size and CPU speed distributions; repartitions; and RAS and VPN statistics. http://www.isdecisions.com

Securify Inc. announced Tuesday the general availability of its flagship product line of security appliances. Securify has added identity recognition to network security monitoring, user correlation and pre-built security controls for "application-aware" behavior monitoring. http://www.securify.com

Embarcadero Technologies released last week Embarcadero Rapid SQL 7.4, the latest version of the company's cross-platform database development environment and performance benchmarking solution. Featuring support for Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and MySQL Network, Rapid SQL 7.4 incorporates new project management features as well as improvements to Rapid SQL Code Analyst and Source Code Integration functionality. http://www.embarcadero.com

In Microsoft news, CEO Steve Ballmer did a lot of talking recently, first clearing up some misunderstanding about his statement on Vista's ship date. He confirmed that the next desktop version of Microsoft's operating system will stay on target for release in January -- provided it's an "absolutely high-quality product."

And as if to defend the company in light of its lackluster stock performance, Ballmer told investors in New York Wednesday that it was critical for Microsoft to invest and expand into new markets. In a nutshell: "If we don't keep Windows fresh, Windows will not continue to flourish," according to Ballmer.

One of these "investments" launched Wednesday signaling a potentially dramatic change in the security industry with Microsoft's Live OneCare solution, after months of public beta testing. For $49.95 a year, Windows Live OneCare will (attempt) to protect up to three computers.

Also announced this week: a free downloadable tool called Standard User Analyzer 1.0, which helps IT staff see if users' apps can run properly in Windows Vista, and a version of Visual Studio for database developers due at the end of the year. Be the first developer on your block to check out a CTP of it at Microsoft's Tech-Ed conference in Boston in two weeks.

About the Author

Dan Hong is the associate Web editor of MCPmag.com, CertCities.com, TCPmag.com, Redmondmag.com and RCPmag.com.

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