Windows® Server 2003 Reduces Costs and Improves Performance of Canadian Businesses
Early deployments by Intrawest Corporation and VanCity reinforce business value of Windows Server 2003
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MISSISSAUGA, ON, April 24, 2003 — Microsoft Canada Co. today announced the launch of Windows Server 2003 operating system. The company's best-performing, highest-quality Windows server operating system released to date, Windows Server 2003 delivers an integrated server platform that enables customers to run their IT infrastructure up to 30 percent more efficiently. In addition to Windows Server 2003, Microsoft also announced the launch of SQL Server™ 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit), which is designed to support memory-intensive and high performance applications running on 64-bit version of Windows Server 2003.
According to IDC Canada, Canadian enterprises are increasingly focused on ensuring IT is a strategic asset to their business, creating agility and ongoing competitiveness. In a study examining the main IT priorities for Canadian enterprises in 2003, 35% of enterprises cited developing and implementing new strategic applications to increase competitiveness, 27% listed migration for older platforms to more modern platforms and 20% are focused on controlling costs and improving financial justification for IT investments. Windows Server 2003 has been specifically designed to respond to these growing concerns of enterprises.
"The launch of Windows Server 2003, along with SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) represents a significant milestone for the computing industry," said Frank Clegg, President of Microsoft Canada. "We look forward to working with our ecosystem of customers and partners, so that Canadian businesses can make their organizations agile and create a new generation of IT solutions that are aligned with their business goals."
Customer Benefits of Deploying Windows Server 2003
Canadian customers that have deployed Windows Server 2003 indicate that they are experiencing a number of long term business value benefits, including server consolidation, improved performance, reduction in management costs and increased productivity.
Two Canadian customers are Intrawest Corporation and Vancouver City Savings Credit Union (VanCity). Intrawest Corporation is the world's leading developer and operator of village-centered resorts with 11 resorts in North America and additional village developments in six resort locations in North America and Europe. VanCity is Canada's largest credit union, with 39 branches and seven subsidiaries. Additionally, VanCity owns Citizens Bank of Canada, serving members across the country by telephone, ATM, and the Internet.
"We will end up with about one-fifth of the number of servers involved in our core directory and security as we had with Windows NT®," stated Matthew Dunn, CIO, Intrawest Corporation. "When all is said and done, we will have reduced the number of security/domain servers from 153 to 30. When you look at the cost of the boxes and running them, one can see a direct business benefit right out of the gate to upgrade to Windows Server 2003."
"By reducing the amount of time and effort to manage our servers, we are better able to meet the needs of credit union staff and enhance service to credit union members," said Tony Fernandes, Vice President of Technology Infrastructure, Inventure Solutions, the IT arm of VanCity. "With Windows Server 2003, we are now able to be more responsive to our customers and we have achieved a 25 percent increase in the overall efficiency of our IT environment."
SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit)
The combination of Windows Server 2003, with Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit), which was also launched today, will significantly change the high-end enterprise computing landscape. SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) offers a complete database and analysis platform for next-generation data warehousing, e-commerce, and line-of-business applications running on Itanium-based servers. Customers will benefit from the ability of SQL Server Enterprise Edition (64-bit) to dramatically reduce the time required to scale databases to run on 64-bit platforms, supporting memory-intensive and high-performance data applications.
Windows Server 2003 Features and Benefits
Windows Server 2003 includes the functionality customers need today from a Windows server operating system to do more with less, such as security, reliability, availability, and scalability. In addition, Microsoft has improved and extended the Windows server operating systems to incorporate the benefits of Microsoft® .NET for connecting information, people, systems, and devices. Specific enhancements include:
| • | Greater Dependability: Delivers a reliable and scalable platform for applications and services with the new Internet Information Services 6.0, with enhanced security by design and 64-bit computing. |
| • | Improved Productivity: Windows Server 2003 includes many enhancements to increase productivity, and offers an updated Active Directory® directory service, making it easier to deploy, mange and use. Early results from customers show a 50 percent reduction in deployment costs over Windows NT 4.0. |
| • | Increased Connectivity: The new server platform helps customers extend existing resources while laying the foundation for building a new generation of connected applications using XML. Customers can leverage Windows Real Time Communications, Windows SharePoint™ Services, Windows Exchange Server and Office to connect systems and improve the flow of information both inside and outside the firewall. |
| • | Aligning IT Spend with Business Value: Windows Server 2003 improves the bottom line of companies of all sizes by reducing hardware expenditures and administrative costs while consistently delivering best value and exceptional performance. |
Windows Server 2003 Product Family
The Windows Server 2003 family includes the following products:
| • | Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition: Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, is the reliable network operating system that delivers business solutions quickly and easily. This flexible server is the ideal choice for small businesses and departmental use. |
| • | Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition: Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, is built for the general-purpose needs of businesses of all sizes. It is the platform of choice for applications, Web services, and infrastructure, delivering high reliability, performance, and superior business value. |
| • | Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition: Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, is built for business-critical and mission-critical applications that demand the highest levels of reliability, availability, and scalability. A critical, and exclusive component of the high-end server offering is the Datacenter High Availability Program of support and services. |
| • | Windows Server 2003, Web Edition: A new product within the Windows operating systems, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, is provided for both Web serving and hosting. |
About Windows Server 2003
Windows Server 2003 is a comprehensive, integrated and secure infrastructure designed to help customers reduce costs and increase the efficiency and effectiveness of IT operations. Building on Windows 2000 family strengths, the new server platform helps customers extend existing resources while laying the foundation for building a new generation of connected applications that improve business productivity. More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/.
About Microsoft Canada
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting and local support services in both French and English. Microsoft Canada is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario with MSN.CA offices located in Toronto and eight regional offices across the country dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada's web site at www.microsoft.ca.
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. Microsoft, Active Directory, SharePoint, Windows and Windows NT are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
