Microsoft is just one of the presences over at CeBIT 2008, Europe's largest technology fair, and the company is focusing entirely on environmental and enterprise solutions. Microsoft's Chief Executive Office Steve Ballmer offered examples of the work being poured into the evolution of information technology, but also in providing added protection for the environment. On top of this, Ballmer also discussed the company's developing software plus service business vision, in the context of communication and collaboration.

Windows Vista, of course, had a part of the show, via a gadget made available with the Yello Sparzahler (Yello savings meter). The Redmond company has worked with Yello in order to develop a tool capable of taking power-consumption data from the electricity meter and make it available via a Vista gadget on the end users' machine. The purpose of the Yello Sparzahler is ultimately to make the consumers aware of how much energy is being used by house appliances in an effort to reduce power consumption.

"We're focused on reducing computer power consumption and on finding new ways to use software and information technology to help protect the environment by enabling people to use energy more efficiently in every aspect of our lives," Ballmer explained.

For Microsoft, protecting the environment means also delivering a solution designed to impact the pollution associated with the automotive sector. Achim Berg, general manager of Microsoft Germany, pointed to ecoDrive, planned for deployment over at Fiat, which will enable the person behind the wheel to adopt a more environmentally friendly driving style.

"For the enterprise, Ballmer announced the general availability of the freely downloadable Microsoft Search Server 2008 Express and Silverlight Blueprint for SharePoint. In addition, he announced the expansion of Microsoft Online Services for businesses of all sizes with Microsoft Exchange Online and Microsoft SharePoint Online entering a limited beta trial," Microsoft revealed.