[The articles below were posted between Mar. 31, 2008 and Apr. 21, 2008 and appear in the May 2008 hardcopy edition of Update.]

Windows & Mobile

Application Compatibility May Slow Server Adoption

New Windows Server 2008 features and other program changes may require updates to existing server applications before they will run correctly

Windows Mobile Faces iPhone Competition

The most recent version of Windows Mobile, version 6.1, includes minor improvements for end users, but a real iPhone competitor will have to wait until at least Windows Mobile 7

Windows and Office Deployment Tools Updated

The Microsoft Deployment Toolkit and the Business Desktop Deployment Solution Accelerator have been updated to help organizations deploy the latest versions of Vista and Windows Server

Business Applications & Services

Help for SharePoint Administrators

Free solution accelerators will help administrators better manage SharePoint deployments, but some are not supported and will need to be modified by administrators to suit their needs

Dynamics Mobile Tools Updated

An updated toolkit will allow Microsoft partners to create mobile applications for Dynamics NAV, but partners should move cautiously to avoid colliding with Microsoft's own mobile Dynamics applications

Office Format Now ISO Standard

File formats based on Office 2007 have been adopted by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), helping eliminate a threat to the suite in government agencies

Systems Management and Security

Forefront Security for Servers

Forefront products now provide an almost complete line of security for messaging and collaboration servers with a central management console

Anti-Rootkit Provider Komoku Acquired

Acquisition of the small security firm Komoku could enhance security solutions for Windows customers and give Microsoft additional security expertise

Application Platform

New Development Options for Dynamics CRM

Dynamics CRM 4.0 offers Web services interfaces and a .NET-based plug-in architecture, but customizing server applications is still complex

VB Runtime Not in Next Windows

The next version of Windows will not include the VB 6 runtime, making VB 6 applications unsupported on future OS releases

C++ Feature Pack Ships

An updated set of C++ libraries improve standards compliance and update the available user interfaces for applications

Consumer and Small Business

Advertising Group Focuses Beyond Search

The Advertiser and Publisher Solutions (APS) Group at Microsoft is focused on helping advertisers and publishers leverage underutilized Web pages that collectively account for about 80% of total Web traffic

Small-Business Phone System Updated

Response Point SP1 will allow small businesses to reduce ongoing telecom costs and provide expanded revenue opportunities for the Response Point partner channel

Sales, Marketing, and Services

Global Enterprises and Global Account Management

Microsoft's global account management structure aims to give some of the company's largest customers a consistent experience worldwide while delivering products and services tailored to their specific requirements

Deployment Planning Benefits Modified

The number of deployment planning days has increased for customers who purchase Software Assurance on desktop applications and Client Access Licenses

Big Easy Promotes Partner Services

Big Easy promotion gives customers rebates on partner hardware, software, and services

Corporate and Legal

Software Plus Services Strategy Update

A year after Microsoft introduced the phrase 'software plus services,' it's clear that the company's highest priority is building services that enhance or require Microsoft software, rather than cannibalizing it

Emerging Market Push Reorganized

Efforts to expand Microsoft's business in less-developed countries will have a new leader after an Apr. 2008 reorganization

Symantec, Alcatel Patent Disputes

Symantec has settled its patent lawsuit against Microsoft, and a jury has found in favor of Alcatel-Lucent in another dispute