Microsoft Australia | Business and Industry News

2008 Gartner Magic Quadrant for CRM Customer Service Contact Centers Report

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:37:48 +1000

The report titled "Magic Quadrant for CRM Customer Service Contact Centers, 2008" was released on March 19, 2008 by Michael Maoz of Gartner, Inc. In this report, Gartner placed Microsoft Dynamics CRM in the Visionaries quadrant. Click here to read the report.

10 things to know about Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:38:14 +1000

Learn how Microsoft Dynamics CRM for Outlook can bring Microsoft Dynamics CRM Online into the every-day Outlook experience.

Exchange Server 2007 Earns Product of the Year Award

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:39:20 +1000

CRN (December 18, 2006): The release of Exchange Server 2007 marks a new beginning in the messaging space, earning the software the Product of the Year nod from CRN for application software.

Microsoft's marriage of easy communications

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:44:05 +1000

We've been watching the romance develop between OCS (Office Communications Server 2007) and Exchange Server 2007 since OCS became available in beta earlier this year. When OCS finally came of age last month, we brought the mature couple together for a Hawaiian wedding.

Exchange 2007: Always On

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:44:36 +1000

Most organizations need their data available every second of every day. Unfortunately, computers, networks and storage devices will all fail eventually -- no matter how much we pay for them or how closely we monitor them.

When It Comes To IT, The Army Is Ready To Experiment

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:44:52 +1000

The Army is running a 7,700-user test of Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 SP1 and earlier ran a 2,500-user test of Windows Vista. Such big tests may actually be necessary in some circumstances: There are more than 800,000 users on Army networks.

Test Center Preview: Microsoft's "Katmai" Is Filled to the Brim

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:45:10 +1000

Building on the sweeping, enterprise-oriented improvements in SQL Server 2005 (see review), Katmai [SQL Server 2008] sports very nice new features for large deployments.

Microsoft's SQL Server Growth Slows but Still Beats Rivals

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:45:29 +1000

Revenue for Microsoft SQL Server in 2007 grew at a rate of 14% over the previous year and at a rate that exceeded that of its principal relational database rivals, IBM and Oracle, each with 13.3% growth.

SQL Server 2008: A First Look

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:45:46 +1000

Microsoft has made some big promises for SQL Server 2008, a major update of its enterprise database product. No precise date has yet been announced for the launch, but the new features have caught the interest of database developers, users, and IT managers alike.

SQL Server 2008 Aims to Simplify the Mundane

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:46:02 +1000

While business intelligence features get the most attention in SQL Server 2008, it's the administration features in the new database that will remove some of the IT staff's daily grind.

Windows Server 2008 is the host with the most, and the perfect guest

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:46:27 +1000

Microsoft's slimmer and stronger server OS, bolstered by virtualization, networking, and security advances, is an upgrade that IT can't refuse, a 200-pound gorilla that eats commercial Linux.

Windows Server 2008: Faster, more manageable and secure

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:47:18 +1000

In our testing of Windows Server 2008 gold code - the product officially launches on Wednesday - we found that Microsoft has made a number of improvements to its flagship server operating system.

Windows Server 2008 Reviewers Guide

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:47:43 +1000

The Windows Server 2008 Reviewers Guide provides a comprehensive technical overview of the innovative features and functions that make Windows Server 2008 the next-generation Microsoft Windows Server operating system and successor to Microsoft Windows Server 2003. This guide also provides information about the benefits Windows Server 2008 offers diverse users, as well as information about different scenarios.

Windows Server 2008 is Microsoft's Leanest, Meanest Yet

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:48:04 +1000

Networking enhancements, a reduced attack surface and virtualization capabilities earn Windows Server 2008 eWEEK Labs' Analyst's Choice award.

Microsoft Rolls Out Centralized Security Management

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:48:21 +1000

InformationWeek (June 9, 2007) Integrated platform promises to put all security info on single console but manages only Microsoft's Forefront products.

ESG Research Report: Desktop Security at the Crossroads

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:48:42 +1000

Enterprise Strategy Group (March 2007) "When ESG surveyed respondents in December 2006, 8% of organizations were already evaluating Microsoft Forefront client while another 35% said they would do so in 2007."

Microsoft Forefront Aims to Integrate Security

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:48:58 +1000

Redmond Channel Partner (August 1, 2007) "For customers struggling to manage and maintain security wares from multiple vendors, Forefront offers a Microsoft-centric alternative."

Microsoft Unveils Integrated Security

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:49:17 +1000

InfoWorld (June 4, 2007) 'Stirling' package aimed at taking on rivals McAfee, Symantec.

Microsoft takes big step in managing enterprise handhelds

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:49:48 +1000

Computerworld (April 4, 2008) One new bit of code in Windows Mobile 6.1 makes this otherwise minor release of Microsoft Corp.'s handheld operating system a watershed for enterprise users. The new code contains hooks into Microsoft 's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 (MDM), a new server application that is the first major effort by the company to make handhelds as manageable and secure as PCs.

Microsoft System Center Essentials

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:50:12 +1000

PC Pro (March 12, 2008) Verdict: System Center Essentials sets out to gather the strands of network system management into one place, and succeeds. Allowing for the licensing costs, SCE could save money by allowing technical support staff to make better use of their time.

Clearchannel Integrates IT with System Center Products

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:50:30 +1000

CIO Magazine (June 9, 2008) Clearchannel's IT organization manages the entire platform—750 servers in the data center, and another 500 to 600 spread out at other locations—from one central location with the Microsoft System Center family of products.

Solving Data Center Complexity with Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:50:49 +1000

DevX.com (Feb 1, 2008) Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager 2007 turns the efficient deployment of servers into a straightforward, automated process, and can also be used to manage configuration changes and system updates.

Microsoft's Integrated Identity and Access Management Solution Evolve

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:51:15 +1000

Microsoft's identity and access management solution designed for corporate environments has evolved to a new phase. TechEd 2008 was the stage where Microsoft unveiled the successor of Identity Lifecycle Manager 2007 FP1, namely Identity Lifecycle Manager 2 Beta 3.

Quest Software Provides Two-Factor Authentication for Microsoft Identity Lifecycle

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:51:34 +1000

Quest Software, Inc. (Nasdaq: QSFT) and professional services provider Avaleris have joined forces to provide two-factor authentication that is fully integrated with Microsoft's Active Directory and Identity Lifecycle Manager platform, increasing security across the enterprise organization.

Microsoft Preps Identity Lifecycle Manager

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:51:54 +1000

DOHMS is responsible for primary and tertiary healthcare services in the emirate of Dubai. It provides healthcare services to an international standard for a population of 1.4 million. Employing around 10,000 people over multiple sites, the department faced numerous challenges in managing digital identities in its heterogeneous IT environment. Its IT department needed to maintain a secure system while ensuring that new employees—whether clerical or healthcare professionals—had rapid access to e-mail, relevant IT resources, and line-of-business applications.

Using MS Sharepoint in a Major Construction Effort

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:52:15 +1000

Organizations see SharePoint as a backbone for getting more control over large amounts of unstructured data, says Rob Koplowitz, a principal analyst with Forrester Research who specializes in information and knowledge management tools.

Microsoft, other firms take aim at Enterprise 2.0 market with new tools

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:52:49 +1000

Microsoft Corp. and a slew of other companies will roll out new tools this week designed to help companies meld internal data with social networks, mashups or other tools like iGoogle that originated in the Web 2.0 world.

SharePoint: A Legal Killer App

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:53:13 +1000

Today, it's beginning to look a lot like Microsoft has another "Point" tool that might change the way lawyers collaborate.

SharePoint Server Is Taking Businesses by Storm

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:53:37 +1000

Microsoft's SharePoint Server product is becoming the IT industry's new must-have technology, offering tools for building everything from collaborative applications to Internet sites.

Research Describes Total Economic Impact of Microsoft Unified Communications

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:53:56 +1000

Businesses can improve productivity, shorten sales cycles, lower travel costs, and enhance customer retention using Microsoft unified communications products and services, Forrester Research finds.

BHP, Lion Nathan ride Microsoft unified comms

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:54:13 +1000

Microsoft's global announcement of its unified communications and software PABX platform, Office Communications Server (OCS) 2007, was not all forward-looking as the vendor released details of local enterprises already using it in production.

The great Office Server smorgasbord

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:54:34 +1000

The great Office Server smorgasbord is back and ready to tackle forms processing, possibly the most powerful use case for SharePoint and Office we’ve seen until now. To get through this one, we’ll need to start with a discussion of InfoPath 2007, then look at the basic Forms Services included with Office SharePoint Server and finally check out what else you get once you spring for the full-on form power of Forms Server 2007.

Hopes for the future of Office 2007 collaboration

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:54:53 +1000

The new Office servers I've discussed in recent weeks are diverse, opening up a wealth of opportunities: online forms, anywhere/anytime collaboration, advanced presence detection and VoIP technology, project management solutions, business intelligence with digital dashboards, and high-caliber search abilities.

Top 10 Reasons to use Microsoft Forms Server 2007

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:55:17 +1000

Here are the top 10 ways that Office Forms Server 2007 can help your organization improve business processes and manage data more effectively.

Why Microsoft Exchange 2007 Hosting?

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:57:02 +1000

Microsoft Exchange hosting running Exchange 2007 hosting for email. With Exchange 2007, you get the latest technology with improved accessibility on the web and on your mobile phone.

Microsoft IT Starts Using Exchange Hosted Services

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:57:19 +1000

Microsoft IT Starts Using Exchange Hosted Services

Businesses suffering from spam, phishing schemes, and e-mail viruses can now take advantage of Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:57:38 +1000

Businesses suffering from spam, phishing schemes, and e-mail viruses can now take advantage of Microsoft Exchange Hosted Services—hosted e-mail accounts with anti-virus and anti-spam filtering capabilities, with additional protection against phishing schemes and more. Read what the media is saying about Exchange Hosted Services.

Forrester Report: "Microsoft: The Latest Disrupter in Enterprise Search"

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:58:00 +1000

Forrester Report: "Microsoft: The Latest Disrupter in Enterprise Search"

Microsoft enters the growing market for enterprise search with its new solution.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:58:19 +1000

Microsoft enters the growing market for enterprise search with its new solution.

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Review - ZDNet Australia

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:59:08 +1000

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Review - ZDNet Australia

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Review - PC Authority Australia

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:59:30 +1000

Microsoft Outlook 2007 Review - PC Authority Australia

Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 PC Review

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:59:43 +1000

Microsoft Office Ultimate 2007 PC Review

Developers herald VS 2008 and .Net Framework as faster and better development experience

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:04 +1000

As Microsoft announces service pack releases of its Visual Studio 2008 and .Net Framework 3.5 technology, developers say the enhancements make for faster, better development. Microsoft's new service packs feature the .Net Framework Client Profile, ADO.Net Data Services and ADO.Net Entity Framework.

Visual Studio 2008 SP1 is icing, and more cake

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:27 +1000

Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 (VS08) Service Pack 1 (SP1) took eight months to arrive. Considering the capabilities that have been added, eight months might not seem so long. In some ways, SP1 feels like the completion of what Visual Studio 2008 was supposed to be. It's certainly not just the collection of bug fixes that you'd expect from the term "service pack."

Visual Studio 2008 SP1 Lands

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:45 +1000

So Visual Studio 2008 Service Pack 1 (SP1) is finally here. And as service packs go, VS08 SP1 is a pretty big deal.

Microsoft's Expression Web, recently upgraded to version 2

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:01:04 +1000

Microsoft's Expression Web, recently upgraded to version 2

Microsoft Expression Studio 2 Shows Key Improvements

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:01:23 +1000

Microsoft Expression Studio 2 Shows Key Improvements

Microsoft Expression Community News, Blogs, and Events

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:01:38 +1000

Microsoft Expression Community News, Blogs, and Events

Nokia to bring Microsoft Silverlight powered experiences to millions of mobile users

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:01:59 +1000

Nokia: Espoo, Finland - Nokia today announced plans to make Microsoft Silverlight available for S60 on Symbian OS, the world's leading smartphone software(1), as well as for Series 40 devices and Nokia Internet tablets. Adding support for Silverlight will extend opportunities for developers to create rich, interactive applications that run on multiple platforms in a consistent and reliable way.

Developers Herald VS 2008, .Net Framework SP1

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:02:21 +1000

'Milestone' Microsoft service pack staples .NET's stomach

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:02:37 +1000

SP1 certainly offers a radical diet for .NET's weight problem: it introduces the .NET Framework Client Profile for client-side applications. The Profile cuts by 85 per cent the amount of code you'll need to run a Windows Vista-looking application on a machine that can only stretch to Windows XP. It's designed to improve download and start-up times.

Microsoft Loads Up .NET, Visual Studio

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:02:56 +1000

InternetNews.com

Windows Live Hotmail (beta)

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:04:29 +1000

Windows Live Hotmail (beta)

CNET editors' review

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:04:49 +1000

CNET editors' review

Windows Live Messenger 9: my new best friend

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:05:02 +1000

Windows Live Messenger 9: my new best friend

'Wave 3' of Windows Live Hotmail will offer IM

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:05:21 +1000

'Wave 3' of Windows Live Hotmail will offer IM

New white paper! The Business Value of Windows Vista: Five Reasons to Deploy Now

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:05:47 +1000

Learn how companies already using Windows Vista have identified tangible cost savings in IT labor and measurable improvements in user production—while reducing risk.

Organizations Deploy Windows Vista for Optimal Performance, Security and Usability

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:06:06 +1000

Prominent organizations and leading companies from around the world continue to standardize their IT environment with Windows and upgrade to Windows Vista.

Gartner positions Microsoft in Leaders Quadrant in the 2008 Magic Quadrant

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:37:31 +1000

The Magic Quadrant for Business Intelligence Platforms (see Figure 1) presents a global view of Gartner's opinion of the main software vendors that should be considered by organizations seeking to develop business intelligence (BI) applications. Buyers should evaluate vendors in all four quadrants — those from the Niche Players and Visionaries quadrants are driving innovation in areas such as interactive visualization, in-memory data analysis, real-time dashboards, wizard-based application development and spreadsheet-based reporting. The scores and commentary in this document are based substantially on three sources: customer perceptions of each vendor's strengths and challenges derived from BI-related inquiries with Gartner, an online survey of vendor customers conducted in late 2007, and a vendor-completed questionnaire about their BI strategy and operations.

AMR Research Report - Microsoft Plants the Seeds for BI Everywhere: Competitors Beware!

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:39:44 +1000

A report from AMR Research about the Microsoft break through in the business intelligence arena.

Credit Union Optimizes Infrastructure to Gain Efficiency, Attain Carbon-Neutral Status

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:44:19 +1000

Credit Union Optimizes Infrastructure to Gain Efficiency, Attain Carbon-Neutral Status

Boost business productivity by leveraging powerful new features in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:44:40 +1000

Boost business productivity by leveraging powerful new features in Microsoft Office SharePoint Server (MOSS) 2007

Collaboration Takes Center Stage as Market Embraces SharePoint

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:44:56 +1000

Collaboration Takes Center Stage as Market Embraces SharePoint

Learn how to secure and manage your infrastructure.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:45:20 +1000

Participate in security events and webcasts to have your security questions answered.

Businesses of all types protect and take control of the security of their information resources

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:45:38 +1000

Microsoft Forefront is gathering notable press coverage on the new innovative features that empower businesses of all types to protect and take control of the security of their information resources. Find out what the press is saying about Microsoft Forefront, and check back often to read the latest additions.

Microsoft security report card: passing grade for Vista

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:46:32 +1000

Microsoft researchers have published a new report which maintains that the company's Windows Vista software has proven more secure than other operating systems over the first 90 days of its availability, including open source products and Apple's Mac OS X.

Research Describes Total Economic Impact of Microsoft Unified Communications

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:47:06 +1000

Research Describes Total Economic Impact of Microsoft Unified Communications

BHP, Lion Nathan ride Microsoft unified comms

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:47:22 +1000

BHP, Lion Nathan ride Microsoft unified comms

IT Manager Webcast - Dynamic IT and Security: Desktop, Device, and Server Management

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:47:42 +1000

There is more pressure than ever on IT departments today. The bulk of IT budgets is spent just "treading water," rather than adding new business value. Microsoft is focused on helping customers flip that equation through a more dynamic IT infrastructure.

Microsoft takes big step in managing enterprise handhelds

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:50:26 +1000

April 4, 2008 (Network World) One new bit of code in Windows Mobile 6.1 makes this otherwise minor release of Microsoft Corp.'s handheld operating system a watershed for enterprise users.

Microsoft System Center can ease network security fright

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:51:31 +1000

info world video

Microsoft's bid for FAST bolsters enterprise search

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:52:02 +1000

In November, Microsoft representatives began to comment that the enterprise search market had reached "a tipping point"; on Tuesday, the company backed up that claim with a bundle of cash, offering to buy enterprise search software company Fast Search And Transfer (FAST) for 6.6 billion Norwegian kroner ($1.2 billion).

Search Me: Microsoft Ships Search 4

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:52:19 +1000

Microsoft announced this week it is shipping Windows Search 4 for Windows Vista, Windows XP, and Windows Server 2008, an update that adds the capability to search other computers that also have the software installed.

Microsoft webcasts: Find the right enterprise search solution for your business.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:52:38 +1000

Find Events and Webcasts

AMR Research Report - Microsoft Plants the Seeds for BI Everywhere: Competitors Beware!

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:53:27 +1000

A report from AMR Research about the Microsoft break through in the business intelligence arena.

Changing the Face of Identity Management

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:53:48 +1000

Systems Management News

Microsoft's Integrated Identity and Access Management Solution Evolves

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:54:05 +1000

Softpedia

Webcast: Optimize Your Identity and Access Management Infrastructure

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:54:22 +1000

Microsoft Webcast: Optimize Your Identity and Access Management Infrastructure

Breaking the barrier to a broad user adoption

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:54:47 +1000

Microsoft whitepaper

Industry Heavy Weights Move to Standardize Enterprise Content Management

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:55:08 +1000

CMS Wire

Forrester report: Microsoft Ranks Among The Strong Performers In ECM Suites

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:55:24 +1000

Forrester

Rail Agency Boosts Productivity by 100 Per Cent With Content Management Solution

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:55:46 +1000

Casestudy

Leading Technical Service Provider in Germany to Centralize Document Management With the 2007 Microsoft Office System

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:56:04 +1000

Casestudy

Webcast - IT Manager: Windows Server 2008 R2

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:02:07 +1000

Windows Server 2008 R2 operating system brings new features to your server environment and network infrastructure. Discover how using Windows Server 2008 R2 with Windows 7 brings a new dimension to network computing.

Webcast: Business-Ready Security

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 15:06:28 +1000

Increase collaboration, sharing, and access to information, while protecting your assets and infrastructure. Find out how Microsoft’s approach is centred the need for security to help companies achieve their business goals while managing risk and empowering people.

Virtualisation and Management

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:27:22 +1100

Attend this Webinar to find out how a Microsoft Virtualisation and IT management solution can help your organisation.

With a Microsoft Virtualisation solution, your business has a straightforward and easy way to cut IT costs and simplify server management.

By consolidating your physical servers, you eliminate the need for excessive hardware, streamline your maintenance costs, and can even save on your energy bill. Plus, you can keep your sensitive business data protected and your systems up and running.

Presenter: Rosemary Stark, Microsoft Australia's Server and Virtualisation Product Manager

Advanced Business Insight

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:30:07 +1100

Attend this Webinar to find out how a Microsoft Business Insight solution can help your organisation:

Make more informed decisions
Generate and analyse reports quickly
Combine reports and data for more in-depth analysis

Microsoft technology helps businesses drive increased profitability and improved performance by providing familiar, easy-to-use solutions that help turn data into real business insight – and help you minimise the risk of managing large volumes of information.

Presenter: Marcy Larsen, Microsoft Australia's SQL Server Product Manager

Business Servers

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:51:36 +1100

Attend this Webinar to find out how a Microsoft Server solution can help your organisation:

Reduce costs and work more efficiently
Stay connected and up to date
Make your infrastructure more secure and reliable

Learn how to optimise IT productivity, protect critical business data and systems, and connect your business to customers and partners with advanced communication and collaboration capabilities.

Presenter: Rosemary Stark, Microsoft Australia's Server and Virtualisation Product Manager

Enhanced Communication and Collaboration

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:53:00 +1100

You and your teams can enjoy world-class email, remote access to personal and customer information, and online workspaces with enhanced security so you can stay productive and efficient wherever your business takes you.

You can also send emails, access shared documents, and schedule appointments directly from your PC, browser or phone. Plus, you can have real-time online meetings and instantly connect with colleagues through instant messaging.

Presenter: Harold Melnick, Microsoft Australia's Senior Product Manager – Unified Communications

Upgrading your Desktop

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:54:29 +1100

To respond to the demands of a busy business, it's important that your people have the tools they need – and that you're able to get things done as efficiently and easily as possible.

Find out how Windows 7 Professional and Microsoft Office 2007 together can:

Help you work the way you want
Help you and your people get more done
Help you safeguard your valuable data

Presenter: Danny Beck, Microsoft Australia's Windows Product Manager