Solution Providers


Gartner: Windows 8 May Boost Weak PC Market in 2013

Market research firm Gartner projects weak growth in worldwide PC shipments in 2012, but predicts a stronger showing in 2013 due to rising interest in "ultrabooks" and Microsoft's forthcoming Windows 8 operating system.

Firefox, Chrome To Get 'Metro' Treatment for Windows 8

Browser makers face an unfamiliar hurdle with Windows 8, but both Mozilla and Google said they are building browsers that will work with the new operating system.

System Center 2012 CTPs for Windows Server 8 Released

Two components of Microsoft's System Center 2012 suite, Virtual Machine Manager and Data Protection Manager, were released late last week as community technology previews (CTPs) that are specifically designed to work with the new Windows Server 8 beta.

Microsoft Adds Online Backup to Windows Server 8 Beta (UPDATED)

Microsoft rolled out an online backup service for the Windows Server 8 beta late last month, though not everyone can try it out.

Windows Embedded Standard 8 CTP Released

Microsoft this week launched a community test preview (CTP) of Windows Embedded Standard 8, which is based on the forthcoming Windows 8 operating system.

SQL Server 2012 Hits RTM, Set for General Release in April

SQL Server 2012, Microsoft's newest relational database management system, hit the release-to-manufacturing (RTM) milestone on Tuesday and is available for download and testing as an evaluation version.

IBM Woos Former Enemies with Managed Services Play

For years, computing behemoth IBM viewed managed services providers (MSP) as competitors, but that's a thing of the past.

Report: Windows 7's Market Share Closes Gap on XP

Windows 7 is gaining on the aging Windows XP operating system, according to the latest market share estimates from Net Applications.

Microsoft Outlines Multiple Improvements in Windows Server 8 Beta

Microsoft on Thursday formally announced the beta of Windows Server 8, which was made available for download and testing on Wednesday.

Tech Data's StreamOne Solutions Store Aims To Link Providers

The IT distributor is taking the effort it started with Software License Selector further into the cloud.

Outages Hit Windows Azure; Microsoft Blames Leap Year (UPDATED)

Components of Microsoft's Windows Azure service are still crippled after a series of hours-long outages affecting multiple countries.

Windows 8, Windows Server 8 Betas Released; Windows Store Launches

Microsoft released the betas for Windows 8 and Windows Server 8, as well as launched the Windows Store for applications, on Wednesday at an event in in Barcelona, Spain.

Microsoft, Good Technology Put E-Mail Encryption on Windows Phone

Microsoft has entered a deal with enterprise mobile management and security firm Good Technology to bring encrypted e-mail to Windows Phone.

Report: Microsoft Adding Touch Capabilities to 'Office 15' (UPDATED)

A leaked screenshot allegedly of "Office 15" suggests Microsoft's next-generation productivity suite will have support for touch.

Microsoft Releasing Visual Studio 11 Beta on Feb. 29

Visual Studio 11 will hit the beta milestone on Feb. 29, the same day the Windows 8 "consumer preview" is expected to be released, Microsoft announced Thursday at a "sneak preview" event.