[The articles below were posted between January 27, 2003 and February 17, 2003 and appear in the March 2003 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Server Applications

Improved Support for Mobile Exchange Users

The upcoming releases of Exchange and Outlook will contain improvements aimed at mobile users, such as better offline support and wireless synchronization with Windows CE clients

Reporting Services Planned for SQL Server

A new SQL Server add-on for designing and distributing human-readable reports generated from a variety of data sources will go into beta mid-2003

CRM Server Ships

MSCRM is available in North America through Microsoft Business Solutions resellers; Windows 2000, SQL 2000, and Exchange 2000 are required to run it

Operating Systems

Supporting Remote Users with Windows Server 2003

Improvements to Terminal Services and Virtual Private Networking in Windows Server 2003 improve security and ease of access for remote users

Slammer Worm: Code Red Deja Vu

Parallels between the Slammer and Code Red worms show the difficulty in driving the Trustworthy Computing initiative companywide

NT 4 Server Support Through 2004

Security patches and paid support for Windows NT 4.0 Server will be available through Dec. 31, 2004

Windows Media DRM Comes to CDs, DVDs

A new toolkit lets content producers add a second Windows Media Format data stream to CDs and DVDs, enabling their content to be playable on a PC, yet protected

Development Tools & Programs

ASP.NET Supports Mobile Browsers

Although smart devices are still Microsoft's preferred mobile platform, ASP.NET Mobile Controls ease browser-based application development for simpler devices, such as the large installed base of WAP-enabled cell phones Desktop Applications

DirectX SDK Updated

Game developers can now download the DirectX 9 SDK, which delivers a new high-level shader API for applying visual effects to 3D objects

New FoxPro Supports Web Services

The just-released Visual FoxPro 8 supports creation and consumption of Web services, and simplifies dealing with errors through structured exception handling

Desktop Applications

Tools Enable Office Solutions

Free templates and resource guides help customers that employ Six Sigma methodologies to make greater use of Microsoft business desktop and server software

XDocs Renamed InfoPath

XDocs has been renamed InfoPath and Microsoft has revealed that the product supports access to databases as well as authoring or modifying XML documents

MapPoint .NET Updated

Microsoft's online map service now enables developers to create applications that can determine a street address from a user's geographic location and locate businesses that meet certain criteria

Mac OS X to Get Exchange Client

An add-on to Entourage X, Microsoft's e-mail and personal information manager for the Mac OS X, will enable the software to access Exchange functions such as group scheduling

Commercial & Consumer Services

Acquisition Moves Collaboration Strategy Forward

Although it runs a hosted service based on Java and Unix, PlaceWare will help Microsoft's collaboration story as it develops replacements for Exchange Conferencing Server and NetMeeting

Passport to Address EU Privacy Concerns

To satisfy European privacy concerns, Microsoft will give Passport users more control over personal data and they will no longer need a valid e-mail address to sign up, among other changes

Dealerpoint Sold to Vertical ISV

Microsoft used its experience building Dealerpoint to gain experience in the customer relationship management (CRM) market, but the hosted CRM service for car dealers no longer served a strategic purpose

Sales & Support

Government Access to Source Code Expanded

The Government Security Program gives governments broad access to Microsoft source code for security reviews; governments will also be able to plug their own security code into Windows

Dual Installs Cancelled

New licensing rules will discourage OEMs from offering dual installs, which give customers a choice of Windows versions the first time they start a new PC

Gold Certification for MBS Resellers

Existing Microsoft Business Solutions resellers can become Gold partners if they have a demonstrated track record of sales and employees with special expertise on staff

.NET Connected Logo Program Modified

The logo program has been modified to eliminate its Base level; the program now has only a single level, comparable to what was previously called the Premium level

Corporate News

Patent Battles Gaining Importance

Patent lawsuits could help major competitors such as Sony and AOL block Microsoft in new markets; Microsoft prefers to settle such cases with patent swaps or one-time payments

Xbox, MSN Losses Grow in Q2'03

Windows and Office continued to drive profits for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2002, while Xbox and MSN losses grew