The Future of Windows Server

The next version of Windows Server is expected early in the third quarter of 2016. Enhancements focus on the software-defined data center, although it continues to serve traditional workloads. Future distinct versions of Windows Server are expected, in contrast to the plan for the Windows client OS. Future versions will likely continue to emphasize virtualization but are also likely to require integration with Azure services. Customers should carefully evaluate the technologies in Windows Server 2016, as some new or improved technologies emphasized by Microsoft have not matured.

Cloud First

Windows Server 2016 will be the platform for the Azure Stack software. Azure Stack, currently in preview, offers a selection of functionality from the Microsoft-hosted Azure service (called “public Azure” in this report) for customers and partners to deploy in their own data centers. Azure Stack is likely to appear after Windows Server 2016 in late 2016 or early 2017. Customers should expect Azure Stack to receive regular updates to stay current with Azure services hosted by Microsoft.