Forrester released a report highlighting the upcoming Office2007 server platform for its benefits for the development community.To paraphrase:
With Office 2007, Microsoft begins to dramatically expand its development platforms by including Office, as well as its Windows servers. Office 2007 supports an important, though limited, range of application scenarios, and there is much more coming during the next several years. These new facilities give developers more options to customize and configure, rather than custom-build the user interfaces for their Windows applications.
In discussions related to development in .net and .net 2.0, a number of times the question is asked, well what about Ajax development? The answer is "Atlas", an ASP.Net framework for development utilizing .net 2.0. Take a look at the following site for details on the Atlas framework for .Net.
Heres the link:
http://atlas.asp.net/Default.aspx?tabid=47
I've been in the process world since Malcolm Baldridge, and application has always been significantly different than high level process theory. In the IT world, ITIL retains the masthead for process, leaving it to the individual organizations to figure out specific application and best practice.
Microsoft has for a few years, been putting together application specifics for its technology using ITIL as the high level under which to place specific practical guidance. This guidance is called the Microsoft Operational Framework, or (MOF).
It's worth a look at the MOF site for specific guidance split into the Change management, Optimization, Support, and Operating quadrants. In addition the site contains a self assessment for your organization to use, an executive summary, detailed level guidance, and even a reference server architecture.
Here's the site:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/itsolutions/cits/mo/mof/default.mspx
Where do instant messaging, email, voicemail, IP phone, and cell come together?
Well, if we were in circa 1995, everyone would be inventing an enterprise communications bus to pull each of these together and transform each set of data into consumables for the other platforms.
Or, a large consultancy would put together a framework for this at a multimillion cost (lets call it the Service Oriented Architecture for Communication, or SOAC :) )
Heres something novel, lets make what we have work together more efficiently, ie, IM links to email and calendar, and based on whats in the calendar, route the phone to the best spot, whether office or cell, and if I'm not available, let me retrieve my voicemail, email, or RSS feed :) through my email client on my laptop or phone?
In addition, let me see whether the person I'm trying to reach is available now, in a little bit, or not this week, and I dont want to care which IM client is being used, and call or text them via any device I choose.
This is Presence, more than just VOIP.
It is software based, not hardware based, so I can tailor it to how I do business.
And it is available through Exchange Unified Messaging, Outlook, Instant messaging with real time collaboration, Windows Mobile 5 and PBX's which Microsoft partners can deliver which can enable this routing.
Previously, we've discussed Infrastructure Optimization by automating Operating system deployment and application deployment via self service.
Credit Suisse has taken this to a new level by automating the provisioning of Virtual machines. At Tech ed in Boston, the Chief Architect from Credit Suisse will host a chalk talk on this solution.
Abstract:Their R&D group built an extremely extensible self-service virtual-machine provisioning system that enables software developers in a fraction of the time to easily, securely and rapidly provision on-demand disposable workstations, servers, and multi-tier environments. Credit Suisse will exponentially increase software developer productivity, drastically lower IT costs and ensure compliancy with continuously stringent regulatory requirements. The solution uses Windows Workflow Foundation, Windows Communication Foundation, and Virtual Server.
There has been a great deal of conversation in the last few weeks related to enterprise defense. Whether it is gateway, email, internal server, or scanning, take a look at:
http://www.microsoft.com/securemessaging/default.mspx
Included on the site:
- Guard the perimeter with managed messaging services offered by Microsoft through Exchange Hosted Services.
- Add a buffer and firewall protection with Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004.
- Help protect internal messages using Antigen for Microsoft Exchange Server.
- Help keep sensitive e-mails and documents from leaking outside the organization with Microsoft Windows Rights Management Services (RMS).
Ok, so to answer the question, what do I need to be running from a HW perspective for Vista, here is the announcement and data for readiness:
Today we will be announcing the launch of the Windows Vista “Get Ready” Web site, worldwide availability and partner support for Windows Vista Capable and Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs, and the availability of Windows Upgrade Advisor beta. We understand that customers have many options and choices to make when it comes to buying a PC today. A wide range of form factors, price points and technologies factor into their decisions, and they also are factoring in the pending launch of Windows Vista. We want to do everything we can to make it easier for customers to prepare now for the arrival of Windows Vista, whether they are buying new PCs or are planning to upgrade their current PCs. With the guidance we announce today, customers now have more tools they can use to determine how to get the most out of their future Windows Vista experiences.
With this announcement, we will convey:
· There is no need to wait until Windows Vista™ launches to buy a new PC or to prepare current PCs for a Windows Vista upgrade.
· Microsoft is working with leading PC manufacturers today to provide explicit guidance on what is needed to run the new operating system in an effort to help inform customers contemplating new PCs or hardware upgrades between now and the launch of Windows Vista.
· That guidance, in the form of the Windows Vista “Get Ready” Web site, the worldwide availability of Windows Vista “Capable” and “Premium Ready” PCs and the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor beta -- will help customers make confident decisions regarding their Windows®-based hardware and will enable them to take full advantage of the great experiences of Windows Vista when available.
o Windows XP-based PCs with the Windows Vista Capable logo can run the core experiences of Windows Vista such as innovations in finding and organizing information, security and reliability.
o PCs that are designated as Windows Vista Premium Ready can deliver even better Windows Vista experiences, including the Windows Aero™ user experience
A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:
- A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
- 512 MB of system memory.
- A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.
- 20 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space
A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:
- 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
- 1 GB of system memory.
- A graphics processor that runs Windows Aero.
- 128 MB of graphics memory.
- 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
- DVD-ROM Drive.
- Audio output capability.
- Internet access capability.
Some features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware. More guidance on the requirements for these specific features is available at the “Get Ready” Web site. Guidance for businesses will be refreshed on TechNet, see here: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/default.mspx
Supporting resources for more information:
I hope this information helps you in your planning for Windows Vista.
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Windows Server virtualization: Microsoft’s hypervisor-based solution is on track to be available with the upcoming Microsoft Windows Server “Longhorn” operating system. Microsoft anticipates having a beta release of Windows Server virtualization by the end of 2006 and plans to release to manufacturing (RTM) within 180 days of Windows Server “Longhorn” RTM. |
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Microsoft System Center Virtual Machine Manager: Formerly code-named “Carmine,” this technology is a centralized, enterprise management solution for the virtualized data center. System Center Virtual Machine Manager is part of the System Center family of products and is due for beta release within the next 90 days. Microsoft anticipates release to manufacturing (RTM) in the second half of 2007. |
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Intent to acquire Softricity, Inc: Softricity’s application virtualization and streaming technologies provide application compatibility and accelerate corporate desktop transitions to Windows Vista. |
Together, these solutions will provide a comprehensive and well-managed virtualization solution for customers across servers and desktops.
Heres an interesting article which illuminate several questions I've been receiving on the authentication-Vista-SecureID and infocard front..
http://www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article.php/3608441
Our ISA Server team has just signed an agreement to acquire Whale Communications. Whale produces a SSL VPN appliance built on Windows that integrates with ISA Server. Many of our enterprise customers are looking for alternatives to a traditional IPSec VPN and instead would like to publish applications using SSL, which only requires a web browser on the client side.
Here are a number of press articles:
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/may06/05-18WhaleCommunicationsPR.mspx
http://www.eweek.com/article2/0%2C1895%2C1903650%2C00.asp
http://www.gosecure.ca/en/press/CRN_12_08_2003.htm
http://www.globes.co.il/serveen/globes/docview.asp?did=1000093210&fid=942
If you want to download the Office2007 beta, heres the link:
:
http://www.microsoft.com/office/preview/default.mspx
I'm interested in your feedback, especially the imbeded rss reader in Outlook (hint hint), as I think it pretty logical to add rss as well as sps sites to the left column in Outlook..
Let me know if you have any questions.
Effective now, if you sign on to Http://local.live.com
you will see new features.
Tonight, we launched the new version of Windows Live Local, introducing features like user collections and integration with Windows Live Favorites, real-time traffic in 35 US metros, expansion into UK and Canada, and loads of other new features that our user have been asking for. Check it out: http://local.live.com
User Collections
Collections are a major evolutionary step for our scratchpad. They allow users to not only add business listings or custom pushpins to their scratchpad, but to save multiple different collections to the cloud using their Windows Live ID and share those collections with friends, family, colleagues, or the internet community as a whole. Try it out—create a collection of your favorite places to eat when on the road, historic theaters where you grew up, strange oddities like giant yarn balls and frying pans in the Midwest, or whatever else strikes your fancy. Share the links with your IM buddies, over email, or blog them to Spaces.
And when you do try out collections, make sure to upload a few to www.PassThePOI.com.
Traffic
With support for about three dozen metro areas in the US, our partnership with Traffic.com provides our users with additional tools to enhance the mapping and directions experience. Flow data shows a quick visual representation of current traffic conditions across a wide area, making it easy to spot and avoid trouble spots. Incident and construction information adds more detail, giving users a better idea what might be causing a delay so they can judge how long it might last.
International Support
In this release, we have added support for Canada and the UK with maps, routing, address find support, local search, and more. We have expanded bird’s eye for the first time outside the US by adding a variety of locations in the UK. We will continue to add bird’s eye with the goal of covering at minimum 80% of the US and western European populations within 2 years, plus much more I am sure.
With this release, we also added support for city to city routing across most of western Europe, Australia and other regions.
New APIs
With this release, we have also updated the Virtual Earth Map Control with support for driving directions, geo-coding, instant mashups with Windows Live Local collections, and more. See http://blogs.msdn.com/virtualearth/archive/2006/05/23/596729.aspx for more info on the API
I've made this traffic page my home page for a quick check before hitting the road.
Yes there is a home life :) And oh by the way, if you network your Xbox360 via wire or wireless, and you have a pc with XP-sp2 on board, they will find each other. So what? Well, you can store pictures, movies, and stored tv shows, then play them on the tv thru the Xbox360 which is connected to the tv. (Or screen saver aquariums, or fireside christmas scenes), etc. -The more you know :) Networking setup instructions can be found here: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/extender/setup/default.mspx
Security of data contained in roaming Laptops has been a question of late.
This is addressed as one of the security features in the forthcoming Vista release.
The technology is called bitlocker, and it encrypts laptop data so that if the laptop is lost or stolen, the data cannot be retrieved. An executive overview is here: http://g.msn.com/9SE/1?http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/security/bitexec.mspx&&DI=6066&IG=9f73b19b3b654629add170df7b0f67ed&POS=3&CM=WPU&CE=3&CS=AWP&SR=3
A more technical overview can be found here: http://g.msn.com/9SE/1?http://www.microsoft.com/technet/windowsvista/security/bittech.mspx&&DI=6066&IG=9f73b19b3b654629add170df7b0f67ed&POS=2&CM=WPU&CE=2&CS=AWP&SR=2
Part of the rationale for this blog is to serve as an information sifter relative to news and solutions pertaining to the community.
IMHO, a trend to pay particular attention to is the divergence of methodologies in communications and presence. In particular where the communications convergence occurs, ie software stack vs in-device ala firmware. Thought should be give to the long term communication strategy and applications which serve them before applying a point communications solution to serve a single department or need. This lowers the risk of rip and replace when that point solution is found to not integrate with other needs.
Areas of consideration: Call center, Help desk, Client interactions via phone (traditional and growing VOIP), email (single or bulk), US Mail, and IM, both internal (across the call center vs yelling "Hey Frank, have you seen this problem before!") and a growing contingency of IM client interactions (logged for regulatory purposes).
That said, Microsoft has announced Windows Live Messenger Beta, including partnerships with Uniden and Philips in imbeding MSN Messenger in handsets, thus enabling VOIP from the handset via Messenger and Verizon, or traditional calls, client choice. This is a change from the traditional thought process of Handset is firmware, and Software is the headset connected to computer (even with bluetooth getting rid of wires).
Heres the link: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/may06/05-08WLMessengerOpenPR.mspx
A side note to this announcement which many may miss, is that Audio/Video conversation enablement is built in, with a little easier setup than Netmeeting. This could have applicability in the high value client interaction space, where method of interaction can make a large difference in perception.