Microsoft later this year will stop developing the standalone version Performance Point Server and has moved the software's scorecard, dashboard and analysis features into SharePoint Server. It's a move that can be seen either as a sign of the belt-tightening times, or as fodder for the argument that business intelligence is more of a feature than a product.
PerformancePoint has been added to the SharePoint Enterprise client access license and is now available to subscribers of SharePoint Software Assurance, wrote Pej Javaheri, senior product manager for Sharepoint, in a recent blog post.
Microsoft will release a third and final service pack for PerformancePoint around midyear, after which the vendor will stop development work on the standalone offering, Javaheri wrote.
PerformancePoint uses Microsoft's SQL Server database as an underlying platform and employs Microsoft Office applications such as Excel as the user interface, and that won't change, according to DelBene. "Microsoft is removing the barriers for customers who want to deploy a complete Business Intelligence solution, leveraging their existing investments in SharePoint Server, SQL Server, and Excel," he wrote.
Business intelligence is a useful technology for cash-strapped companies looking to maximize efficiencies, but BI solutions have been derided as too expensive and complex.
PerformancePoint was priced at $20,000 per server, plus $195 for each CAL, a level that required Microsoft to seek out large-scale deployments to keep pace with rivals such as Cognos, Business Objects and Oracle.
In addition, smaller, more nimble vendors like Tableau Software have come to market with products that reduce the complexity of business intelligence by taking information buried in databases and presenting it in a more easily digestible graphical format.
"This gives us another strong selling point for SharePoint," said Tyler Roye, senior executive officer at MindSHIFT, a Fairfax, Va.-based solution provider. "This lets us more affordably assemble business intelligence metrics into a portal or dashboard, where previously we had to assemble these component by component."
Source: http://www.crn.com/software/212903347
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
PerformancePoint Server, Microsoft Datacenters Feel the Pinch
News continues to trickle out about which products/teams took hits as part of Microsoft’s 5,000-person layoff announced last week.
It looks like Microsoft’s Global Foundation Services (GFS) team is, indeed, among those taking a hit.
At the end of last year, Microsoft began slowing work on its Chicago datacenter. Now it has postponed work on its planned $500 millionDes Moines datacenter, as well.
On the Office side of the house, the PerformancePoint Server team is being realigned. Microsoft is folding PerformancePoint capabilities into SharePoint Server 14, the next version of SharePoint that is expected to ship later this year or early next.
Microsoft is planning to announce officially the PerformancePoint news on January 27, a spokesperson said.
Microsoft is adding the scorecarding, dashboard and analytics features that are part of PerformancePoint Server 2007 to SharePoint Server. These features will be renamed “PerformancePoint Services for SharePoint” and will be available to customers through the Enterprise CAL (Client-Access License) version of SharePoint Server.
More from the spokesperson:
“Additionally, in the summer of 2009, we will release ‘Service Pack 3′ for PerformancePoint Server 2007, which will include updates to the Planning module. From there we will focus our development on the new monitoring and analytic capabilities in ‘PerformancePoint Services for SharePoint’ and will not offer standalone versions of PerformancePoint Server.”
Source: http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=1843
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Antivirus Beta for Windows 7
Kaspersky releases Antivirus beta for Windows 7. The prototype is based on a new antivirus engine which provides complete antivirus protection from all types of Internet threats.
The new version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus is designed to secure computers running under Windows 7. The beta test version of Microsoft Windows 7 operating system was released at the beginning of January 2009.
"We knew the release of the new version of Windows would be a huge event for the IT community, which is why we were prepared for it," said Alexey Kalgin, Director Product Marketing, Corporate Business Division, Kaspersky Lab. "Our company has always made support for Microsoft's new operating systems a top priority. For example Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows Vista was released simultaneously with the operating system's official launch. When Windows Server 2008 was released, Kaspersky Anti-Virus was the only antivirus product on the market certified by Microsoft. Users can now see for themselves how our antivirus protection technologies perform on the new platform."
This new version includes real-time scanner, firewall and anti-spam protection. The product is optimised for multi-core systems and will be available for both 32bit and 64bit versions of Windows 7.
Download: Kaspersky Antivirus Beta for Windows 7
The new version of Kaspersky Anti-Virus is designed to secure computers running under Windows 7. The beta test version of Microsoft Windows 7 operating system was released at the beginning of January 2009.
"We knew the release of the new version of Windows would be a huge event for the IT community, which is why we were prepared for it," said Alexey Kalgin, Director Product Marketing, Corporate Business Division, Kaspersky Lab. "Our company has always made support for Microsoft's new operating systems a top priority. For example Kaspersky Anti-Virus for Windows Vista was released simultaneously with the operating system's official launch. When Windows Server 2008 was released, Kaspersky Anti-Virus was the only antivirus product on the market certified by Microsoft. Users can now see for themselves how our antivirus protection technologies perform on the new platform."
This new version includes real-time scanner, firewall and anti-spam protection. The product is optimised for multi-core systems and will be available for both 32bit and 64bit versions of Windows 7.
Download: Kaspersky Antivirus Beta for Windows 7
Friday, January 16, 2009
Remote Server Administration Tools for Windows 7 Released
list of Windows Server 2008 administration tools which are included in Win7 RSAT Client:
Server Administration Tools:
• Server Manager
Role Administration Tools:
• Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) Tools
• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) Tools
• Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) Tools
• DHCP Server Tools
• DNS Server Tools
• File Services Tools
• Hyper-V Tools
• Terminal Services Tools
Feature Administration Tools:
• BitLocker Password Recovery Viewer
• Failover Clustering Tools
• Group Policy Management Tools
• Network Load Balancing Tools
• SMTP Server Tools
• Storage Explorer Tools
• Storage Manager for SANs Tools
• Windows System Resource Manager Tools
Microsoft released tools last week for its Windows 7 Beta that let system administrators perform remote management of Windows servers from their desktop PCs. The Windows 7 Remote Server Administration Tools, currently available as a beta, support "Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003," according to a description at the Microsoft Download Center page.
The tools let IT professionals configure roles and features remotely. They support both x86 and x64 hardware, but need to run with particular versions of Windows 7. Microsoft describes those versions as the Business Edition, Enterprise Edition and Ultimate Edition of Windows 7, which haven't been released yet. Windows 7 (Build 7000) is currently available only as a beta, but it's similar to the Ultimate Edition, according to Microsoft.
"The Windows 7 Beta will be only available in one edition, which is roughly equivalent the Ultimate edition of Windows Vista," explained Brandon LeBlanc, a Window 7 team blogger.
Adding the tools involves first removing similar remote management tools used with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, including "all versions of Administration Tools Pack," according to Microsoft's instructions. Just one copy of the tools can be installed on an IT pro's computer at a time.
The tools add a number of management features to the desktop, including Server Manager, Active Directory tools, DHCP server tools, DNS server tools and Hyper-V tools. The tools enable password recovery, group policy management and network load balancing.
Source:http://rcpmag.com/news/article.aspx?editorialsid=10510 & http://blogs.technet.com/askds/archive/2009/01/10/remote-server-administration-tools-rsat-available-for-windows-7-beta.aspx
Server Administration Tools:
• Server Manager
Role Administration Tools:
• Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) Tools
• Active Directory Domain Services (AD DS) Tools
• Active Directory Lightweight Directory Services (AD LDS) Tools
• DHCP Server Tools
• DNS Server Tools
• File Services Tools
• Hyper-V Tools
• Terminal Services Tools
Feature Administration Tools:
• BitLocker Password Recovery Viewer
• Failover Clustering Tools
• Group Policy Management Tools
• Network Load Balancing Tools
• SMTP Server Tools
• Storage Explorer Tools
• Storage Manager for SANs Tools
• Windows System Resource Manager Tools
Microsoft released tools last week for its Windows 7 Beta that let system administrators perform remote management of Windows servers from their desktop PCs. The Windows 7 Remote Server Administration Tools, currently available as a beta, support "Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2008 or Windows Server 2003," according to a description at the Microsoft Download Center page.
The tools let IT professionals configure roles and features remotely. They support both x86 and x64 hardware, but need to run with particular versions of Windows 7. Microsoft describes those versions as the Business Edition, Enterprise Edition and Ultimate Edition of Windows 7, which haven't been released yet. Windows 7 (Build 7000) is currently available only as a beta, but it's similar to the Ultimate Edition, according to Microsoft.
"The Windows 7 Beta will be only available in one edition, which is roughly equivalent the Ultimate edition of Windows Vista," explained Brandon LeBlanc, a Window 7 team blogger.
Adding the tools involves first removing similar remote management tools used with Windows Vista Service Pack 1, including "all versions of Administration Tools Pack," according to Microsoft's instructions. Just one copy of the tools can be installed on an IT pro's computer at a time.
The tools add a number of management features to the desktop, including Server Manager, Active Directory tools, DHCP server tools, DNS server tools and Hyper-V tools. The tools enable password recovery, group policy management and network load balancing.
Source:http://rcpmag.com/news/article.aspx?editorialsid=10510 & http://blogs.technet.com/askds/archive/2009/01/10/remote-server-administration-tools-rsat-available-for-windows-7-beta.aspx
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Troubleshoot Terminal Server Errors
Terminal server is a term given to a specialized computer which combines multiple communication channels together. Since these channels are bidirectional, this digs out a way for two unlike models: Multiple entities connecting to a single resource, and a single entity connecting to multiple resources. Both of these models are widely used.
Irrespective of what it's all about; physical and virtual resources, all can be offered through a terminal server: centralized computing can offer multiple users access to a remote virtual operating system. Server administrators generally use terminal servers to terminate physical connections to their customers.
Common errors that most server users complain about are inability to establish new console session, black screen while connecting to TS, client log on failure etc. Your technical operations are getting more complex. Although your technical support worker are focusing on driving business growth but too much time gets spent on routine administration and maintenance.
Well! You can now find efficient solutions for such nasty server errors at remote server support resources. You can avail solutions for your terminal server here at the most reasonable rates along with round the clock availability.
If you are serious about taking your small business to heights, you must know the art of taking complexities out of IT management and support along with maintaining quality of your services. And you can do this easily with the help of online technical support vendors. They have got the expert team of Cisco Certified System technicians and professional computer experts who work the way you want. They help you incorporate latest technologies any where across your organization.
With remote server support centers, you can avail offer personalized support solutions for maintaining your server operations with your strategic business priorities. Good technical support resources deliver a wide spectrum of software and hardware support and technical tips for advanced server platforms and associated technologies.
System engineers working with server support centers offers your business timely support and reliable advice on all technical issues; whether it's about terminal server or any other server product, problem analysis, resolution and software defect identification.
Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1173192
Irrespective of what it's all about; physical and virtual resources, all can be offered through a terminal server: centralized computing can offer multiple users access to a remote virtual operating system. Server administrators generally use terminal servers to terminate physical connections to their customers.
Common errors that most server users complain about are inability to establish new console session, black screen while connecting to TS, client log on failure etc. Your technical operations are getting more complex. Although your technical support worker are focusing on driving business growth but too much time gets spent on routine administration and maintenance.
Well! You can now find efficient solutions for such nasty server errors at remote server support resources. You can avail solutions for your terminal server here at the most reasonable rates along with round the clock availability.
If you are serious about taking your small business to heights, you must know the art of taking complexities out of IT management and support along with maintaining quality of your services. And you can do this easily with the help of online technical support vendors. They have got the expert team of Cisco Certified System technicians and professional computer experts who work the way you want. They help you incorporate latest technologies any where across your organization.
With remote server support centers, you can avail offer personalized support solutions for maintaining your server operations with your strategic business priorities. Good technical support resources deliver a wide spectrum of software and hardware support and technical tips for advanced server platforms and associated technologies.
System engineers working with server support centers offers your business timely support and reliable advice on all technical issues; whether it's about terminal server or any other server product, problem analysis, resolution and software defect identification.
Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=1173192
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Small Business OS: Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003
Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 presents the most intuitive interface by far among the products in this story. Small-business end users, consultants, in-house IT experts, and VARs responsible for installing and maintaining systems will all appreciate how easy it is to navigate this OS. We also found the Web-based e-mail client Outlook Web Access unparalleled in the number and quality of features offered. And SBS 2003's integration and synchronization features for mobile devices were both impressive and unique.
Using Microsoft's remote-access feature, we felt as if we were sitting at our workplace desktop; there was simply no learning process needed. Such features are handy both for in-house IT managers working from their own workstations within a company and for administrators or VARs that manage systems remotely.
The IT-oriented set will be pleased with the many configuration wizards, which make even the most complex server installation and configuration tasks straightforward. Many server hardware manufacturers are offering the system preinstalled—a benefit for VARs, which can just perform minimal customization at their customers' sites.
SBS 2003 is the first server OS that transparently integrates Exchange, without requiring a separate purchase and dedicated configuration. With this product, Microsoft has set the standard for small business server operating systems.
Net Integration Technologies NITIX Autonomic Linux Server OS earns an honorable mention as an extremely integrated solution that is innovative and secure. This is a good choice for small businesses that want to deploy a comparatively simple infrastructure without ongoing reliance on VARs or highly qualified IT staff for maintenance and management.
Source:http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1436660,00.asp
Using Microsoft's remote-access feature, we felt as if we were sitting at our workplace desktop; there was simply no learning process needed. Such features are handy both for in-house IT managers working from their own workstations within a company and for administrators or VARs that manage systems remotely.
The IT-oriented set will be pleased with the many configuration wizards, which make even the most complex server installation and configuration tasks straightforward. Many server hardware manufacturers are offering the system preinstalled—a benefit for VARs, which can just perform minimal customization at their customers' sites.
SBS 2003 is the first server OS that transparently integrates Exchange, without requiring a separate purchase and dedicated configuration. With this product, Microsoft has set the standard for small business server operating systems.
Net Integration Technologies NITIX Autonomic Linux Server OS earns an honorable mention as an extremely integrated solution that is innovative and secure. This is a good choice for small businesses that want to deploy a comparatively simple infrastructure without ongoing reliance on VARs or highly qualified IT staff for maintenance and management.
Source:http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1436660,00.asp
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Computer Service Business Success and the Need to Focus
Do you own a small business computer service business that needs better marketing results?
Many computer consultants start out thinking the home user, or B2C (Business to Consumer) market is the right place to be; but they quickly realize the difficulty of making a profit as a one-person (maybe two-person) operation catering to the needs of home users.
If you own a computer service business that wants to provide solutions to small businesses, you need to realize that there are a lot of different types of small businesses out there.
#1: Know About Home-Based Businesses and Micro-Small Businesses. A home-based business typically just involves 1-2 computers and an individual. A micro-small business is just one very small step up from that in size, with 5-10 employees and that many or fewer computer systems. If you focus too much on home-based businesses and micro-small businesses, you’ll have a hard time selling a lot of ongoing services agreements. While both types of businesses are technically within the definition of “small business,” they may not be the best clients for your computer service business.
#2: Avoid Targeting Micro-Small and Home-Based Businesses. First off, these kinds of small businesses often have lots of consumer-grade PC’s, which will not be a big help for implementing sophisticated client/server networking solutions. Second, these kinds of small businesses often use pirated software, which will give you major problems when you start to develop long-term technology plans and complex networks. Third, most of these kinds of small businesses will be reluctant, and often unable, to pay for your sophisticated, high-end professional services. Fourth, these kinds of tiny small businesses often believe that IT is not that important to their company, so they don’t need the benefits you are offering. And finally, these kinds of tiny small businesses are usually too small to afford a real, dedicated server and a real client/server network, making your solutions overkill.
#3: Great Computer Service Business Success Resides in Small Businesses with 10 or More PCs. Computer service business owners that target companies with at least 10 PC’s are generally more successful at building strong businesses. At that point, small businesses cannot continue to run peer-to-peer networks. They also cannot afford to wait for volunteers and moonlighters to get around to responding to needs or emergencies. Small businesses services that have 10 or more systems start to get really serious about putting in real client server networks, dependable back-up solutions, reliable power protection and secure firewalls. At this size, small business decision makers usually understand the need for more sophisticated total business solutions.
Source: http://www.itworld.com/channel/58897/computer-service-business-success-and-need-focus
Many computer consultants start out thinking the home user, or B2C (Business to Consumer) market is the right place to be; but they quickly realize the difficulty of making a profit as a one-person (maybe two-person) operation catering to the needs of home users.
If you own a computer service business that wants to provide solutions to small businesses, you need to realize that there are a lot of different types of small businesses out there.
#1: Know About Home-Based Businesses and Micro-Small Businesses. A home-based business typically just involves 1-2 computers and an individual. A micro-small business is just one very small step up from that in size, with 5-10 employees and that many or fewer computer systems. If you focus too much on home-based businesses and micro-small businesses, you’ll have a hard time selling a lot of ongoing services agreements. While both types of businesses are technically within the definition of “small business,” they may not be the best clients for your computer service business.
#2: Avoid Targeting Micro-Small and Home-Based Businesses. First off, these kinds of small businesses often have lots of consumer-grade PC’s, which will not be a big help for implementing sophisticated client/server networking solutions. Second, these kinds of small businesses often use pirated software, which will give you major problems when you start to develop long-term technology plans and complex networks. Third, most of these kinds of small businesses will be reluctant, and often unable, to pay for your sophisticated, high-end professional services. Fourth, these kinds of tiny small businesses often believe that IT is not that important to their company, so they don’t need the benefits you are offering. And finally, these kinds of tiny small businesses are usually too small to afford a real, dedicated server and a real client/server network, making your solutions overkill.
#3: Great Computer Service Business Success Resides in Small Businesses with 10 or More PCs. Computer service business owners that target companies with at least 10 PC’s are generally more successful at building strong businesses. At that point, small businesses cannot continue to run peer-to-peer networks. They also cannot afford to wait for volunteers and moonlighters to get around to responding to needs or emergencies. Small businesses services that have 10 or more systems start to get really serious about putting in real client server networks, dependable back-up solutions, reliable power protection and secure firewalls. At this size, small business decision makers usually understand the need for more sophisticated total business solutions.
Source: http://www.itworld.com/channel/58897/computer-service-business-success-and-need-focus
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