Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Release Candidate is here – check out what’s new!
It’s James Duffus, Group Program Manager for Windows MultiPoint Server again. Back on October 19, 2010, we announced the availability of the MultiPoint Server 2011 Beta. Over the past couple of months, we’ve incorporated your feedback, fixed bugs that you reported, and added the final features. We’re now pleased to say that the Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 Release Candidate is ready for you to download and evaluate!
As a reminder, Windows MultiPoint Server 2011 allows organizations to provide computing access for more users for a lower total cost of acquisition and ownership. Based on the latest Windows technology, it gives organizations all of the functionality and power of Windows Server 2008 R2 and all of the users the latest Windows 7 experience. It was designed to be easy to set up, manage and use for organizations that have limited technical resources.
We’re entering the home stretch, but we need your help once again before we’re ready to bring MultiPoint Server 2011 to market. Check out the new features of the Release Candidate, which include:
More teacher and/or administrator controls over the stations, including:
o Centrally open and close apps for each station
o Project a user, student or teacher station to the entire classroom
o Limit access to certain websites
These join the Desktop Thumbnail and Station Blocking features announced as part of the beta to provide more control for teachers.
Easier and more flexible deployment, including:
o Support for PS/2 keyboard and mouse to allow an additional direct-connected station, installing WMS into a Virtual Machine, etc.
o Auto-create RDP connection files so that you can easily access MultiPoint sessions or management UI from another RDP client on the network
o The introduction of Standard and Premium editions available to all customers, with the Premium edition allowing Domain Join
o Support for RemoteFX capable thin clients to provide richer visual and multimedia experiences to MultiPoint stations connecting over the LAN
Adding these to the beta functionality that allows connecting RDP clients over the LAN, and unified Multipoint “pod” management from one console will provide a robust solution for deploying and managing MultiPoint Server.
As mentioned earlier, we’ve also fixed bugs that you reported and made additional changes to the UI based on your feedback. Again, thanks to all of you that have provided feedback on the beta. It has been extremely helpful in improving MultiPoint Server 2011. We couldn’t do it without you! I hope you’ll take the time to evaluate the Release Candidate and provide me with more feedback so that we have the best possible solution at launch.
Download theWindows MultiPoint Server 2011 Release Candidate and please send us your feedback!
We’re almost there!!
James
