News


An Action Pack Test

Action Packs, the software bundles Microsoft makes available at a very low price for its Registered Member partners, are going to require a little more action to obtain come the end of November.

Two New Ways to Shine

Microsoft partners will soon be able to demonstrate their skills in two new competencies.

Geek Power Fuels Growth

If there's one acronym that's on just about everybody's radar these days, it's "SMB," for small and midsize business.

The Gold Club

As any company that has earned the distinction can tell you, achieving Microsoft Gold Certified Partner status is no easy feat.

Upcoming Launches Open New Pathways for Partners

When it comes to new partner business opportunities on Microsoft's infrastructure platform, the company considers unified communications one of the jewels in its crown. This month, Microsoft will launch three key building blocks that partners need to construct Windows-based unified communications solutions for their customers.

Microsoft Hits the Road, Lets Customers Test-Drive Technology

If you can't get to us, we can come to you. That's the message behind the Microsoft Across America (MSAM) Tour, an ongoing series of IT seminars and demos staged inside a fleet of mammoth trucks tricked out with the latest technology. The MSAM trucks travel hundreds of miles each week, making stops at Microsoft- and partner-sponsored conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events.

Microsoft Opens Its Office to the Internet

Microsoft today rolled out a new service for its Office suite that adds online collaboration features but still requires documents to be created and edited on the desktop.

Software AG Launches SOA Governance App

Software AG has added to its CentraSite governance solution products with a new CentraSite Governance Edition. It's part of a suite of solutions that Software AG offers to businesses deploying service-oriented architectures (SOAs).

Microsoft Excel Fails Math Test

Microsoft Corp.'s Excel 2007 spreadsheet program is going to have to relearn part of its multiplication table.

Enterprise Web 2.0: More Than a Facelift

There are important differences between consumer Web 2.0 applications and next-gen Web apps in the enterprise, said Oracle's Chief Architect Ted Farrell, and developers who want their applications to succeed in the latter environment need to appreciate those differences.

Senate Panel Probes Google's Acquisition

Senators expressed no outright opposition to Google's $3.1 billion purchase of online advertising firm DoubleClick at a hearing focused on the deal's potential threats to competition and consumer privacy.

Access Cloud Data With Astoria

Microsoft wants to help you build cloud data services with its Astoria code-named technology, a free download now in beta.

Windows XP To Be Available Another 5 Months

Microsoft has decided to keep its forerunner, Windows XP, in sales and OEM channels for another five months.

Microsoft Changes Video Ad Tactic

Microsoft Corp. is testing a way to present video advertising that's less annoying to Web surfers.

Microsoft Touts New 'Media Extenders'

Microsoft Corp. and its hardware partners are trying to bridge the divide between home computers and TV sets this holiday season with the release of several "media extenders."

U.S. Video Shows Simulated Hacker Attack

A government video shows the potential destruction caused by hackers seizing control of a crucial part of the U.S. electrical grid: an industrial turbine spinning wildly out of control until it becomes a smoking hulk and power shuts down.

PostPath Offers Exchange 5.5 Alternative

IT administrators looking to move from the Microsoft Exchange 5.5 e-mail message server, which Microsoft stopped supporting in 2005, are getting a helping hand from PostPath. The company released its One-Step Migration Methodology to help Exchange 5.5 users switch to the PostPath Server 3.0 e-mail and collaboration server.

Microsoft Rolls Out Search Improvements

Microsoft is rolling out changes to its search engine aimed at narrowing the gap between it and market leader Google Inc.

SaaS Spells Disruption for Partners, Report Says

Change is a painful thing, and there's nothing like software as a service (SaaS) to inspire dread, especially among the IT partner community. A new study from IDC takes a look at trends happening now that likely will have a "disruptive effect" on the traditional channel partner model as SaaS begins to mature.

Business Processes Key in IBM Products Launch

IBM has rolled out new products to help companies become more efficient and handle bottlenecks in their business processes. The solutions add to IBM's arsenal of business process management (BPM) and service-oriented architecture SOA offerings.