News


Dynamics GP 2013 Beta Released; Final Version Expected December

The beta of Microsoft's Dynamics GP 2013 enterprise resource planning (ERP) product is now available to partners, Microsoft announced on Wednesday.

Microsoft Launches Visual Studio 2012

Microsoft officially launched Visual Studio 2012 and .NET Framework 4.5 on Wednesday in a live event for partners and customers.

Microsoft Rolls Out Windows Server 2012 Admin Tools for Windows 8 Preview

Microsoft last week released Remote Server Administration Tools (RSAT), a software utility that lets IT pros manage Windows Server 2012 from their desktops.

Microsoft Releases System Center 2012 SP1 Beta

The beta test version of System Center 2012 Service Pack 1, which promises to considerably broaden Microsoft's cloud product strategy, became available on Monday.

HP Taps Former Microsoft Exec To Lead Autonomy Division

Former Microsoft executive Robert Youngjohns will join Hewlett-Packard Co. as general manager and senior vice president of the company's Autonomy division.

Dell Unveils Windows Server 2012 Products, Outlines Virtualization Vision

Dell on Tuesday detailed its virtualization support efforts and rolled out its Windows Server 2012 product line.

Microsoft, HP Embark on 'Private Cloud Initiative'

Hewlett-Packard on Wednesday announced it has partnered with Microsoft on a "joint private cloud initiative" centered on HP hardware and management solutions, Windows Server 2012 and System Center 2012 Service Pack 1.

Nokia Enters Windows Phone 8 Era with Two New Lumia Smartphones

One week after Samsung announced the first Windows Phone 8 device, Microsoft and Nokia took the wraps off two more devices running the forthcoming smartphone OS -- the Lumia 920 and Lumia 820.

Windows 7 Overtakes XP as Top OS Worldwide

For the first time in its three years of availability, Microsoft's Windows 7 OS is No. 1 in worldwide market share, according to NetApplications.

Windows Server 2012 Hits General Availability, Marks Microsoft's 'Cloud OS' Era

After four years of development, Microsoft announced the general availability of Windows Server 2012 in a launch event on Tuesday.

MPN Changes Coming November To Include Gold Price Hike

Other tweaks on tap for November include consolidation of app dev competencies, shuffling of SharePoint competencies and recasting of the Desktop competency.

IDC: Worldwide Server Market Continues Downslide in Q2

A report published by IDC this week indicates worldwide server market revenues decreased 4.8 percent year-over-year in Q2 2012, marking the third consecutive quarter of year-over-year revenue declines.

Report: Microsoft Raising EA Licensing Renewal Costs Over 40 Percent (UPDATED)

A consulting company has calculated that Microsoft is increasing the licensing costs for Enterprise Agreement (EA) renewals by about 43 percent.

Microsoft Releases BizTalk Server 2010 R2 CTP to Windows Azure

Microsoft on Wednesday issued a community technology preview (CTP) of its BizTalk Server 2010 R2 product, the company announced in a blog post.

Report: Windows Phone 8 To Launch Late October

Windows Phone 8, the next generation of Microsoft's flagship smartphone operating system, will officially launch on Oct. 29, according to a report by veteran Microsoft watcher Mary Jo Foley.

Microsoft Speeds Up Office 2013 Installation, Launches 'Office on Demand'

Microsoft detailed its installation scheme for the next generation of Office software on Monday.

Microsoft SkyDrive Hits Android Phones

The SkyDrive 1.0 app is now available for Android smartphones at the Google Play Store, Microsoft announced on Tuesday.

IDC Downbeat on Windows 8's Effect on PC Market

IDC this week downgraded its forecast for worldwide PC shipments over the next four years.

Windows Server 2012, System Center 2012 SP1 To Have SDN Benefits

The combination of Windows Server 2012 and System Center 2012 Service Pack 1 (SP1) will create software defined networking (SDN) capabilities, Microsoft said in a blog post on Wednesday.

Microsoft's First New Logo in 25 Years Adopts 'Metro' Look

Microsoft on Thursday took the wraps off its new corporate logo, which now mirrors the "look and feel" of emerging products including Windows 8.