[The articles below were posted between January 31, 2005 and February 21, 2005 and appear in the March 2005 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Server Platforms

New SQL Server Pricing, Products Announced

The SQL Server 2005 line-up includes four Editions--Express, Workgroup, Standard, and Enterprise--a price increase, and a new licensing model

SharePoint, SQL Server Anchor Enterprise Search

Microsoft's approach toward enterprise search has been to develop a single core search technology which the company's diverse product groups customize for their own audiences

Unified Messaging on Exchange Roadmap

The Exchange Server roadmap includes a service pack with new and improved features for 2005, and a new release for 2006 that will include native support for voice mail and faxing

Wireless Exchange Synch Broadens

Future versions of PalmOne, Motorola, and Nokia cell phones will get native wireless access to Exchange data even though they do not run the Windows Mobile or Windows CE platforms

Windows and Mobile

Mac Clients Connect to Windows Servers

By building on many of the same open-source projects used in Linux, Apple has made it much easier to incorporate Macs into Windows networks, although some hassles remain

Microsoft Acquires Sybari Software

The Sybari Software acquisition will initially result in antivirus products for servers but could impact how all antivirus and antispyware products work together in future versions of Windows

Antispyware Software Enters Beta

Microsoft has released a beta of its antispyware product, but issues with classifying potentially unwanted software could limit the value of the tool

Business Applications and Services

Small Business Manager Updated, Renamed

A revamped and renamed Small Business Manager (now Small Business Financials) accompanies a new Microsoft strategy for competing against Intuit's QuickBooks and Best Software's Peachtree

Axapta 4.0 and MSCRM 2.0 Delayed

Microsoft Customer Relationship Management (MSCRM) 2.0 and Axapta 4.0 have been delayed for the second time

MSCRM, Navision Get New GMs

Two recent hires bring new executives to the Microsoft Business Solutions (MBS) marketing and strategy organization led by corporate vice president Tami Reller

Office Developer Conference

The latest developer technology for writing "smart client" applications was on view at a Feb. 2005 Office Developers Conference, but the roadmap for that technology remains complex

Development Tools & Programs

Indigo to Power Servers

'Indigo,' Microsoft's upcoming platform for advanced Web services, will be used in future versions of key server products, although details remain sketchy and Indigo is not yet in beta

Consumer Products and Services

Nokia, Microsoft Sign Digital Music Deal

Future Nokia handsets will support some Windows Media technologies; in exchange, Microsoft will allow the Windows Media Player on the PC to support some digital media technologies favored by Nokia

Sales & Support

Briefing Centers, Research Initiative Buff European Image

Briefing Centers, Research Initiative Buff European Image

Corporate News

New Businesses Shine in Q2'05 Earnings

Growth in server hardware shipments and strength in Microsoft's emerging businesses helped the company post record profits for the third consecutive quarter

Changes to Vice Presidents

Since Dec. 2004, Microsoft has promoted several new vice presidents and changed the duties of some others