Microsoft Partnering 101


Windows 8 Upgrade Offer Expires This Month

For those still on the fence about upgrading to Windows 8, Jan. 31 is when Microsoft's upgrade promotional offers will end for the two Windows 8 editions.

Ex-Microsoft OEM Chief: How Windows 95 Led to Microsoft's Antitrust Era

A new book from a former Microsoft executive describes how Microsoft's Windows 95 product push later led to antitrust problems with the U.S. Department of Justice.

Surface Pro Availability Set for Feb. 9

Originally expected to become available this month, the x86-based Surface Pro tablet PCs running Windows 8 will hit retail shelves on Feb. 9 in the United States and Canada, Microsoft confirmed on Tuesday.

Despite Problems, HP Says It Will Not Sell Autonomy and EDS

Hewlett-Packard this week denied reports that it is planning to sell its Autonomy and Electronic Data Services (EDS) units.

Microsoft Offers Explanation for December Windows Azure Outage

Customers of Microsoft's Windows Azure Storage service who were affected by December's two-day disruption received a detailed apology and explanation from Microsoft on Wednesday.

Report: Dell in Buyout Talks with TPG, Silver Lake

Dell may be considering leveraged buyout proposals from private equity firms, according to a Bloomberg report on Monday.

Microsoft Releases System Center 2012 SP1, Delivers Azure Updates

Service Pack 1 (SP1) of System Center 2012 is now generally available, as well as a new Windows Intune service update release and Windows Azure improvements.

Microsoft Courts Retailers with Windows Embedded 8, Dynamics AX for Retail

At this week's National Retail Federation (NRF) Convention and Expo in New York City, Microsoft is trying to coax nervous retailers into adopting touch-based Windows Embedded 8 solutions.

Study: Windows Server 2012 Gets High Marks for Storage

Windows Server 2012 is a "no brainer" for businesses to deploy in terms of storage efficiency and agility, according to the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG).

One Month with Windows 8: A Review of Microsoft's Most Radical OS

With Windows 8, Microsoft aims to unify the tablet and PC interfaces in an ambitious experiment. In a month-long review, RCP finds the effort largely succeeds.

Analyst Dials Down Microsoft Stock Forecast Amid 'Flat' Market

Due to sluggish PC demand, an analyst with financial services company Morgan Stanley has downgraded expectations for Microsoft's stock in the near term.

Windows Phone 8 Gets Enterprise Assist from Avanade, Nokia

Nokia and Avanade, a major Microsoft partner and IT consulting firm, are partnering on an initiative aimed at encouraging enterprise adoption of Nokia's Windows Phone 8 devices.

Feds Weigh In on Standards-Essential Patents in Wake of IP Lawsuits

Two federal agencies this week got more vocal about standards-essential patents (SEPs) in response to ongoing legal disputes involving Microsoft, Google and Apple over mobile device intellectual property.

Microsoft: 60 Million Windows 8 Licenses Have Been Sold

Microsoft has sold 60 million Windows 8 licenses to date, according to Tami Reller, Redmond's chief financial officer and Windows chief marketing officer.

Introducing the RCP/Rocket Award for IT Services Companies

Is your IT services firm's recent history a great growth story? Redmond Channel Partner and consultancy Revenue Rocket want to hear about it for the first-ever Excellence in Growth Award.