Microsoft today announced the worldwide availability of Windows Server 2003, an integrated server platform that enables customers to improve IT efficiency, increase user productivity and build better performing applications faster than ever before. With the Windows Server platform customers can power .NET-connected applications, networks and Web services from the workgroup to the datacentre, while deriving more value from their existing IT investments and lowering overall computing costs.
Simultaneous with Windows Server 2003, Microsoft also announced today, Visual Studio.NET 2003 and SQL Server Enterprise Edition 2000 (64-bit). This trio of products establishes a new standard in business value by providing an integrated, interoperable infrastructure that delivers the industry-leading performance, scalability, and reliability required to support the budget demands of today`s lean IT departments.
"As Microsoft`s flagship server product, Windows Server 2003 delivers the performance, productivity and security business customers require, while optimising every Rand of their IT investment," said Desmond Nair, server product manager at Microsoft South Africa.
"Windows Server 2003 with Visual Studio .NET 2003 and SQL Server 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) is the cornerstone of Microsoft`s enterprise strategy and lays the foundation for customers to implement integrated, cost-effective solutions that connect information, people, systems and devices."
Windows Server 2003 enables customers to run their server infrastructure 30% more efficiently than Windows NT 4.0.
IT administrators around the globe are challenged to build secure and manageable infrastructures, while at the same time reduce downtime and operational costs. Windows Server 2003 was designed to support the demands of today`s businesses by delivering the highest levels of reliability, scalability and manageability while consistently delivering breakthroughs in cost reduction and accelerated return on investment for customers.
"Today, approximately 10 South African enterprise customers are in planning or deployment phases for Windows Server 2003 in some of the most demanding business environments. Results of early Windows Server 2003 deployments demonstrate that customers can run their server infrastructure up to 30% more efficiently than NT4.0," continued Nair.
Improved IT efficiency and reduced operating costs are core principles for the development of the entire portfolio of Microsoft servers as well as for Windows Server 2003. Last week Microsoft introduced a new brand, Windows Server System, which underscores Microsoft`s long-term commitment to the Windows Server platform as the foundation for its overall server infrastructure strategy. This brand also reinforces Microsoft`s ongoing commitment to reduced IT complexity and cost by delivering a comprehensive, integrated and interoperable server infrastructure with which customers can build, deploy, connect and operate agile business solutions.
Windows Server 2003 delivers the best server infrastructure for enhancing Information Worker productivity.
Today`s companies rely on computing technology to improve productivity across their businesses - from the front-end knowledge worker who wants powerful tools that are easier to use, to back-end administrators who require services that are quick to deploy and easy to manage. Windows Server 2003 provides a foundation that makes it easier to collaborate and share projects, leverage critical information from anywhere and stream applications through corporate intranets and the Internet.
Windows Server 2003 scales from the largest enterprise to the smallest business.
Designed to meet high-end enterprise workloads and levels of demand, Windows Server 2003 is the first Windows server release to support Intel Itanium 64-bit systems. The combination of Windows Server 2003 64-bit edition and Microsoft`s SQL Server 64-bit edition has achieved world-record database performance results.
For small businesses with little or no IT staff, Windows Server 2003 offers increased simplicity and ease of use that enables these organisations to focus on managing business - rather than technology.
Windows Server 2003 and Visual Studio .NET 2003 enable developers to build applications with twice the performance in half the time.
Windows Server 2003 and Visual Studio .NET 2003 were designed to support the entire application lifecycle and enable customers to design, develop, deploy and operate better performing applications that meet their business requirements. Because Windows Server 2003 and Visual Studio .NET 2003 support standards-based technologies and deliver unprecedented levels of software integration, customers can build applications with twice the performance in half the amount of time than with their current application platform.
Windows Server 2003 family
The Windows Server 2003 family includes all the functionality you expect from a mission-critical Windows server operating system, such as security, reliability, availability and scalability.
* Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition (32- and 64-bit)
* Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32- and 64-bit)
* Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
* Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
* Windows Small Business Server 2003 (available in the third quarter of 2003)
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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. Windows Server 2003 is the foundation for the Microsoft Windows Server System, an integrated server infrastructure for building, deploying and operating agile business solutions.
More information is available at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/.
South African specific launch events will take place in Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town on the following dates:
20 May 2003 - Durban
28 May 2003 - Johannesburg
3 June 2003 - Cape Town
For more information on the South African launch events, please visit www.microsoft.com/southafrica/2003launch.
Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software - any time, any place and on any device.
If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft South Africa, please visit the Microsoft Web page at www.microsoft.com, or the South Africa home page at http://www.microsoft.com/southafrica/.
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