Server and Tools Business makes as splash at Microsoft's 2010 Worldwide Partner Conference

  • Article

Today kicked off the first day of Microsoft’s 2010 Worldwide Partner Conference in Washington D.C. 

Top on the agenda is cloud computing. Cloud computing is creating a transformative change and opportunity for customers and partners, enabling what is called IT-as-a -Service.

Microsoft is working with its partners to lead the way for customers to capitalize on IT-as-a-Service with a comprehensive offering of services, both our services platform, the Windows Azure platform, and with our server platform, including Windows Server. Robert Wahbe, corporate vice president of the Server and Tools Business shares a little more perspective on what IT-as-a-Service means for the company, for customers and for partners on the Microsoft Blog.

As part of Bob Muglia’s keynote this morning, Microsoft’s STB group made a number of announcements today that support customers and partners alike with their shift to IT as a Service, helping them focus on business versus infrastructure.

Highlights include:

  • Windows Azure platform appliance announced, with the support of early customer eBay and initial service provider partners Dell, Fujitsu and HP. The Windows Azure platform appliance is very simply, Microsoft’s Windows Azure platform running in customer or partner datacenters. More information specifically on the Windows Azure Platform Appliance can be found via the Windows Azure Team Blog.
  •  Beta releases of Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 for virtualized infrastructure and a foundation for cloud computing.
  • RC of the System Center Virtual Machine Manager Self Service Portal, providing tools and guidance to build cloud services on Windows Server infrastructure.
  • Microsoft codename “Dallas” gives developers and information workers use of premium data for business applications.
  • Microsoft Management and Virtualization Solution Incentive and the Cloud Jumpstart Kit provides Microsoft Partner Network members with financial rewards, training and support for implementing Microsoft infrastructure and private clouds. 
  • Windows Small Business Server “Aurora” provides small organizations with an on-premises server with ability to set up and use BPOS and other online services. The SBS team shares more details about this new server offering for small and midsize businesses on their Team Blog.

 

For more information on WPC news and activities, visit the WPC Virtual Press Room where you can watch the on-demand keynotes at 8:30 a.m. (Eastern) today and tomorrow, read more about individual news announcements, and find video interviews with customers and partners.

 

You can also follow the conversation on Twitter via @WPCDC and @STBNewsBytes, or using the hashtag #WPC10.