sbs

Microsoft puts name, date to Aurora

Microsoft has revealed details of the next generation of Windows Small Business Server, including names and the final feature set.

The software maker introduced Small Business Server (SBS) 2011 Standard Edition, formerly known as SBS 7, and Small Business Server 2011 Essentials, previously code-named "Aurora," in a blog post today. The Standard version of the updated server suite will arrive in December, while the Essentials version will be launched in the first half of 2011, Microsoft said.

SBS 2011 Standard is "an effective refresh" for previous editions, Michael Leworthy, Microsoft's senior product manager for Windows … Read more

Microsoft discontinuing midmarket server

Microsoft is discontinuing its Windows Essential Business Server product, a bundle aimed at midsize businesses, the company said Friday.

The product combined Windows Server 2008, the Exchange e-mail server, and management tools into a single software package.

"We are streamlining our portfolio and will discontinue future development of EBS," Microsoft said in a note on its Web site. The company said it will stop selling the current version of the software as of June 30.

Though fairly new to the market, the product had been a long time in development. It was first announced in 2005 under the code-name Centro. … Read more

Jive and the battle for the social enterprise

This was originally posted at ZDNet's Between the Lines.

Jive Software wants to be the backbone for all things collaborative in the enterprise, but it could run ultimately into tough competition from the likes of Microsoft, Oracle, and IBM.

On Tuesday, Jive launched Social Business Software 3.0, a suite it calls an enterprise-class armada of collaborative apps. Jive SBS 3.0, available by the end of the first quarter, is designed to focus on employee engagement, marketing and sales, customer support, and innovation and to foster collaboration internally and externally.

Jive SBS 3.0 will also add centralized … Read more