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Windows Small Business Server Commercially Available Next Week

In a remarkably quick turnaround, Microsoft announced Wednesday that Windows Small Business Server 2003 will be commercially available next week.

The product was released to manufacturing (RTM) only on Sept. 16. The formal launch is planned for next week at Microsoft's partner conference in New Orleans. Confirmation that the operating system will be commercially available at the launch, just three weeks after RTM, is evidence of an unusually aggressive schedule.

The speed reflects Microsoft's enthusiasm to get this release in the hands of consultants and resellers, who, Microsoft hopes, will build lines of business around installing and maintaining Small Business Server at client sites.

The two editions of Small Business Server are the final deliverable in the 10-edition launch of Windows Server 2003, which began April 24.

About the Author

Scott Bekker is editor in chief of Redmond Channel Partner magazine.

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