Systems Management and Security

In 2007 Microsoft updated its entire line of systems management and security products and introduced its first client antivirus product. The next major release is Service Manager (formerly code-named Service Desk), a trouble ticketing and problem resolution product that will integrate the company’s monitoring, system configuration, and reporting products. Originally planned for 2008, Service Manager has been delayed to 2010. In the meantime, Microsoft will update many systems management and security products so that they can manage and run on Windows Server 2008.

Configuration, Monitoring, and Backup

Microsoft has several products in the System Center line for computer configuration, monitoring, backup, capacity planning, software deployment and installation, and other administrative tasks. The product line will expand significantly in the next two years as Microsoft continues to develop its new analysis, backup, and reporting products and enters the arena of trouble ticketing and problem resolution. (For a graphical overview of releases for these products, as well as monitoring and analysis products, see the illustration “Configuration, Monitoring, and Backup Overview“.)