Database, Development, and Web

A substantial update to Microsoft’s application platform arrived at the end of 2006. The company released the .NET Framework 3.0, which delivers significant new APIs for graphics, workflow, Web services, and authentication. Also shipping is Windows SharePoint Services (WSS) 3.0, a Web-based platform for team collaboration and document management that draws on the .NET Framework 3.0 for substantially improved Web site management and workflow capabilities. Both the .NET Framework 3.0 and WSS 3.0 in turn support important new product releases including the SharePoint Server 2007 portal, document management, and search product, and the Project Server 2007 project management system.

SQL Server

The SQL Server product consists of a database management system (DBMS) and a platform for business intelligence (BI). The BI platform includes components for extracting data from operational systems for analysis (Integration Services), online analytic processing and data mining (Analysis Services), and design and distribution of reports (Reporting Services). Competitors to SQL Server include Oracle and IBM DB2 database management systems and BI platforms. A limited edition, SQL Server Express (formerly the Microsoft SQL Data Engine or MSDE), is available for free.