Windows Home Server, Made in: Canada, Mexico and Puerto Rico

Windows Home Server is nothing short of an international product. The aspects that make up a complete Windows Home Server offering are built in different markets. This is the case for Windows Home Server items designed for the U.S., as parts of the product are stretched throughout the continent. After releasing Windows Home Server to manufacturing in mid July, Microsoft and its partner ecosystem have been gearing up in order to ensure worldwide availability in the fall and just in time for the holiday season. Todd Headrick, the product planner for the Windows Home Server, announced that while the product has been available worldwide almost immediately after the date it was released to manufacturing, it is only now going live in the U.S. and Canada.

Headrick also explained that outside the U.S., products benefit from shorter and more integrated supply chains and therefore availability came earlier. "In larger geographies, there are many companies involved and there is transit time. For example, for North American orders - the manuals usually get printed in Canada, the disks usually get imaged in Mexico and the whole assembly is put together in Puerto Rico. And getting back to the first point, it all starts by a System Builder placing an order," Headrick added.

At this point in time Windows Home Server was released to original equipment manufacturers and system builders. Microsoft's latest operating system is being released in stages across the world and the U.S. is one of the last markets to get it. But this is also Microsoft's way of supporting OEM partners. According to the initial schedule, HP should have already launched the MediaSmart Server preloaded with Windows Home Server. However, HP decided to postpone the product and wait for the implementation of a post-RTM functionality update from the Redmond company.

"We have been following the excitement around the world as the Windows Home Server beta testers discover that the product is available for them from a local system builder. We have also been following the anticipation and angst. The product is now being ordered and inventoried by system builders in multiple countries around the world that is the key first step in the process. If you have a favorite outlet that you like to buy stuff from, then you should ask them to stock Windows Home Server since it has been on the Microsoft price list since August 1," Headrick said.