14 DAY TRIAL // Virtualization nowadays is the latest thing to be interesting to the crowds and the most forward step that is available for them. Microsoft stomped its foot and said that as of Monday it will try to pioneer the adoption of virtualization at a broader level. In order to do that easier, the Redmond-based company acquired Calista Technologies Inc. for the improving of end-user experience, expanded an alliance with Citrix Systems Inc. for help with the client and server virtualization. Some more of the things mentioned in the press release related to the event numbered new tools for deploying Microsoft virtualization software and more flexible licensing options if the process is to be done using Vista.
"We estimate that less than 5 percent of companies are utilizing virtualization technology because it is simply too cost-prohibitive and complex. We believe Microsoft's comprehensive approach - from desktop to datacenter - is unique to the industry by delivering solutions that address virtualization at the hardware, application and management levels. Our approach is not only one of the most comprehensive in the market today, but we believe it is also one of the most economical. This combination brings a big strategic advantage and cost savings to customers," said Bob Muglia, the senior Vice President of the Server and Tools Business at Microsoft.
There are still some very important problems to be sorted through before the whole thing comes to be, like the high cost and the complexity associated with it, but the first stroke of the bigger painting has been drawn.
Being the giant that it is, Microsoft Corp. knows the importance of growing up its future experts, so on Tuesday it announced that some additional five years would be committed to its Partners in Learning. The program, which provides the necessary resources and training to the education community, has so far reached and influenced 90 million students in 101 countries since it was launched, back in 2003.
The main areas that the impact of the program is to be maximized are three at the core of it: Innovative Teachers, Innovative Students and, the liaison, Innovative Schools. "Actively integrating technology into the classroom takes more than just PCs; it requires the cooperation and input of those with expertise, vision and strong experience in all aspects of the educational process," said Cristian-Mihai Adomnitei, minister of education, research and youth in Romania. "Microsoft's continued partnership and guidance through Partners in Learning has been instrumental in the success of our programs to achieve better education through IT and in forming talents for a competitive economy."
Besides the obvious education related perks that being a part of the program comes with, Microsoft also is making efforts to work with the governments in the respective 101 countries to deliver expert guidance in the entire school reform.
Wednesday saw the announcement made by Microsoft Corp that former Disney CIO Tony Scott joining the company as the new technology chief. The hiring has taken place, but Scott will be taking office at the beginning of February 2008. The Redmond company looked like it was on a hiring lucky streak, as it also added Todd Peters, the new corporate Vice President of marketing for Microsoft's mobile communications market group.
"This is an exciting journey for Microsoft's mobile business; with Todd's winning combination of technology and consumer experience, he's absolutely the right person at the right time as we expand in appeal to a broader audience," said Pieter Knook, senior vice president of the Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft.
And if you know that's it, two major hirings a day, you must keep in mind that Bill Gates' company is a giant. When it does something, it does it properly: Stephen Elop, a former CEO at Juniper Networks will be replacing Jeff Raikes in the position of President of the Business Division.
Cha-Ching! The counters at Microsoft went on Thursday. There was serious reason for joy as the quarterly results were released and they noted a growth of about 30 percent. The numbers have grown enormously compared to the previous year. The 30% above is the revenue increase, but some other figures showed that the operating income has grown by 87 percent, to a high of 6.48 billion dollars and that the diluted earnings per share have risen by 92 percent, respectively 0.50 bucks.
Chris Liddell, the CFO at Microsoft, said that "Revenue of over $16 billion this quarter exceeds our previous record by $2 billion. We are extremely pleased by the broad based strength of our business performance and field execution. Throughout the first half of our fiscal year, all of our businesses met or beat our expectations."
The rise in numbers are attributed mostly to the new consumer focused offerings like Windows Home Server, the new versions of the Zune player or the next generation of Windows Live Online Services. Don't stop now with the money, there's room for more!
As I've noticed in the past weeks, if there's an important update to be released, it will be coming on Friday. I know I'm not inventing the wheel, but bare with me. New builds for the service packs for both Vista and XP have been made available. Not to everybody, unfortunately, they were given to a select few testers, numbering 15 thousand.
Everybody else will have to wait most likely until February, seeing that the two service packs are synced with Windows Server 2008. Now, knowing that WS 2008 will RTM next month, the thought pops into mind without any problem.
