[The articles below were posted between Jun. 26, 2006 and Jul. 24, 2006 and appear in the August 2006 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Windows & Mobile

Windows Vista Improves Desktop Management

Improvements to management tools such as Group Policy and the Event Viewer make it easier for administrators to manage Windows Vista centrally, but applying policy still requires careful planning

Windows Compute Cluster Edition Released

Customers with compute-intensive application requirements and an investment in Windows can now get a high-performance computing solution from Microsoft

WinFS Dropped, Parts Moved to Other Groups

WinFS, a marriage of database technology with a file system, which was once touted as one of the three key 'pillars' of Windows Vista, has been cancelled

July 2006 Security Updates

July 2006's 'Patch Tuesday' included several critical and important patches, while Microsoft's handling of Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications is continuing to raise concerns among customers

Improved ActiveSync Available

Version 4.2 of desktop ActiveSync adds new features and is available for free download

Winternals Acquired

The acquisition of Winternals Software LP gives Microsoft a highly regarded expert on OS kernels and security

Server Platforms

First Microsoft-Branded Antigen Products Ship

Following a security review of its acquired Sybari Antigen products, Microsoft has released new versions of some, and the remainder will be launched under the company's new Forefront brand

Small Business Server 2003 R2 Ships

SBS 2003 R2's new patch management capabilities and price cuts should help entice new small business customers, but are unlikely to prompt existing customers to upgrade

BizTalk Update to Deliver RFID

BizTalk Server 2006 R2, scheduled for the first half of 2007, will better support EDI-formatted business documents, RFID devices, and the Windows Communications Framework (WCF)

Updated OS Deployment Tool in Beta

A beta update to the Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003 OS Deployment feature pack allows organizations to begin testing SMS-based deployment of Windows Vista

Business Applications & Services

Dynamics Wave Two Promises Consolidated Product

A new ERP product from Microsoft Business Solutions could emerge after 2008; it will include functionality from Microsoft's four existing ERP products but will probably most resemble Dynamics AX

Hosted Service Based on CRM Product

CRM Live, a Microsoft-hosted customer relationship management service, will be available in the second half of 2007 and will compete with Salesforce.com

Open Document Format for Office

Open Document Format (ODF) support in the Office suite is the goal of a new Microsoft-funded project

Office 2007 Web Preview, Delay

A new 'test drive' Web site enables users to try Office 2007 applications in a browser, without installing the applications locally

Consumer Products & Services

Image Management Company Acquired

The acquisition of iView, which creates software for managing large numbers of digital images, could bolster Expression, Microsoft's emerging line of software for graphic designers

Sales & Support

New Partner Opportunities Promised

New revenue-sharing models and numerous changes to product bundles and licensing were highlights of the 2006 Worldwide Partner Conference

Architect Certification Launches

The Microsoft Certified Architect program has taken in its first candidates, who will gain the architect credential after demonstrating their skills to a review board of other architects

Service Boosts Electronic Software Delivery

A new feature of Windows Marketplace—a Microsoft Web site that lets users find and purchase Windows-compatible hardware and software—could make electronic software distribution more attractive to customers

Creative Commons Added to Office

A wizard for Office lets users easily attach Creative Commons copyrights to documents and may help build a bridge between Microsoft and open-source communities

Corporate News

Volume Licensing Strong in Q4'06

A big jump in unearned revenue points to strong sales of multiyear license agreements in the last quarter of Microsoft's fiscal year 2006

Web Portal Manages Customer Feedback

The Microsoft Connect Web portal is becoming the main avenue for customer participation in beta programs, and for managing their feedback to Microsoft product teams

New EU Fine and Other Legal News

The European Commission fines Microsoft US$357 million for failing to release adequate documentation of Windows communications protocols; further fines could follow