[The articles below were posted between Jul. 25, 2005 and Aug. 22, 2005 and appear in the September 2005 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Windows & Mobile

Patching and Scanning Tools Use Common Platform

While the release of two new tools shows progress toward delivery of a common set of scanning and patching technologies, the work is still incomplete

Server Bundle for Midsize Businesses

To encourage midsize businesses to upgrade their older software, Microsoft has created a discounted bundle of some Windows Server System software

Longhorn Name, Beta Date Set

A public beta of the next Windows client OS, code-named Longhorn and now officially named Windows Vista, will be available on Aug. 3, 2005

August 2005 Security Updates

Aug. 2005's 'Patch Tuesday' included three critical, one important, and two moderate patches for vulnerabilities in Windows

Server Platforms

Improved Management in BizTalk 2006 Beta

BizTalk 2006 will focus mainly on incremental improvements that could help IT and business workers better manage and monitor BizTalk applications

FrontBridge to Be Acquired

FrontBridge Technologies, a provider of e-mail security and archival services for messages passing between the Internet and internal and hosted e-mail servers, is slated for acquisition

Adapters Acquired for BizTalk Server

Adapters purchased by Microsoft from iWay Software will make Microsoft the sole technology vendor for core technologies in BizTalk-based solutions involving applications such as PeopleSoft and Siebel

SharePoint Templates for Business Processes

For the first time, Microsoft has published a set of templates for Windows SharePoint Services that target specific business tasks and processes

MOM 2005 SP1 Available

The first service pack for Microsoft Operations Manager 2005 is available and consists mainly of bug fixes

Development Tools & Programs

Modeling Comes to Visual Studio

Visual Studio 2005 Team System (VSTS) aims to help customers build and deploy IT applications by giving developers graphical tools to create models of their Web applications and data centers

Visual Studio Tools Add Outlook Support

An updated beta of Visual Studio 2005 Tools for Office (VSTO) adds support for Outlook, but deployment difficulties and product overlap may give IT planners pause

Business Applications & Services

InfoPath 12 Headed for the Web

The InfoPath forms design and data entry product will evolve from a desktop product into a design environment for Web forms that users can fill out in a browser

Consumer Products & Services

Two Versions of Xbox 360

Xbox 360 Core System, a bare-bones edition without hard drive, will cost the same as the original Xbox did at its launch; the complete Xbox 360 will be significantly more expensive

New UI and Possible Rebrand for Hotmail

Hotmail's front end has been slated for a redesign based on Ajax technology in 2006, and it might get a new name as well

Sales & Support

Partner Business Planning Streamlined

To reduce the burden on partners, Microsoft will streamline the paperwork associated with joint business planning and will focus more on partner priorities

Corporate News

Renewed Interest in Subscription Services

Hosting subscription services for corporate customers is again a priority, as Microsoft seeks to overcome slowing growth in its core businesses

Seven Businesses Ready for FY'06

With antitrust problems behind it and Linux competition under control, Microsoft must convince existing customers to upgrade or expand their purchases and must enter new markets

Volume License Renewals, Tax Benefits Aid Q4'05

Strong PC and server sales and favorable tax changes helped Microsoft earn a record profit in the June 2005 quarter, but fiscal year revenue growth was the slowest ever

New Operations Chief Takes Sales

Wal-Mart executive Kevin Turner becomes chief operating officer and will head Microsoft sales efforts, replacing Kevin Johnson