...First of all I forgot to mention Happy Valentine's day to the attendees of the Kenosha TS2, so here goes...
Happy Valentines day!!!
Anyway, It was a great event and we had a good turnout. There were howver some questions that I could not answer at the time. I have provided thse answers below.
1.) What was the name of the company Microsoft recently acquired that dealt with hosted Exchange.
Answer. The company that came to mind when thinking of aquisitions that dealt with Exchange was FrontBridge. FrontBridge offers a comprehensive set of Total Message Management services that mitigate regulatory compliance and legal discovery risk, help minimize internal and external messaging threats, and help preserve the reliability, productivity, and continuity of e-mail during emergencies. For more information, visit the FrontBridge site
Or find out more about the aquisition at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/jul05/07-20FrontBridgePR.mspx
Back to hosted exchange ...if you are looking for partners that host Exchange here is the site to visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/serviceproviders/solutions/hostedmessaging.mspx
2.) When is Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 going to RTM?
Answer:
Windows SBS 2003 R2 update will release in Q2 of thi calendar year. I will have to confirm whether I can be more speicific before posting to the BLOG. I will update this post within 48 hours if I can be more precise.
Additional Windows SBS R2 info...
Exerpt from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/sbs/r2/default.mspx Please note the technology gaurantee that starts on March 1st, 2006 (just a little over a week away).
Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2
Published: December 6, 2005
Windows Small Business Server 2003 R2 (SBS 2003 R2) is an update release to the award-winning SBS 2003 product, providing new features to address the growing needs of small businesses. Scheduled to release-to-manufacturing in the second quarter of 2006, SBS 2003 R2 will offer small businesses the following benefits to help them increase their productivity:
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Automated, network-wide patch and update management for all Microsoft Update supported products (see FAQ), lowering the costs of managing a Microsoft-based network and helping to maintain a more secure infrastructure |
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Increased mailbox limits from 16 GB to 75 GB, enabling improved productivity for employees |
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Inclusion of SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition technology in SBS 2003 R2 Premium Edition |
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Expanded client access license (CAL) rights, including access to additional Exchange Server 2003 and SQL Server 2005 Workgroup Edition servers in the SBS 2003 R2 network, allowing customers more flexibility in growth |
Once available (RTM slated for Q2 2006), SBS 2003 R2 may be obtained through the following channels:
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SBS customers with Software Assurance* will be able to obtain SBS 2003 R2 without purchasing a new server license** for a nominal shipping and handling fee. |
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SBS customers without Software Assurance will be able to purchase a new version upgrade SKU via retail, which will enable them to cost-effectively upgrade from any version of SBS (4.0, 4.5, 2000, 2003) to SBS 2003 R2. |
In addition, Microsoft plans to offer a “Technology Guarantee” program ***, beginning March 1, 2006 for customers who purchase SBS 2003 from an original equipment manufacturer or a system builder. Customers that purchase SBS 2003 prior to March 1, 2006 should consider purchasing Software Assurance so they can obtain SBS 2003 R2.
See our FAQ for more information. Check back for further updates.
*Software Assurance contract must be active when SBS 2003 R2 releases-to-manufacturing.
**The purchase of new client access licenses (CALs) will not be required with SBS 2003 R2.
***The Technology Guarantee will be available from March 1, 2006 to 60 days after SBS 2003 R2 releases-to-manufacturing (will vary by geography).