Posted: Dec. 18, 2006

[The articles below were posted between Dec. 4, 2006 and Dec. 18, 2006 and appear in the January 2007 hardcopy edition of Update. One or more are available below for free to non-subscribers.]

Business Applications & Services

Free! New File Formats in Office 2007

The next versions of several Office applications will use new XML file formats, simplifying access to Office data from other applications but possibly posing challenges to migration

Office 2007 Ships with New User Interface

The Office suite's redesigned user interface could appeal to the average user, but it could also require retraining for experts and updates to business procedures

Ecma OKs Office Formats

Office 2007's XML-based default file formats have been approved by Ecma and will be submitted to the International Standards Organization, heading off a threat to Office in the public sector

PerformancePoint CTP Available

A preview of PerformancePoint Server 2007, a new performance management, financial reporting, and budgeting application, will help companies evaluate the product's features and infrastructure requirements

CRM Release for Vista, Office 2007

A Dynamics CRM update assures customers that the product will not block deployment of Microsoft's just-released Office 2007 and Vista desktop operating system

New Roadmap for Duet

A reworked roadmap for Microsoft-SAP integration software includes an incremental release in 2007; existing Duet 1.5 applications will be easier to customize, but partners still cannot create new applications

Dynamics ERP Licensing for Hosters

New licensing rules will make Microsoft's ERP applications available to hosting services providers on a subscription basis, but the company has not said it will host those applications itself

Sales & Support

Free! Office Live Offers Simple Collaboration, Applications

Office Live provides basic SharePoint functions, such as document collaboration, for small organizations, but it competes with many other Microsoft business lines

Training, Certifications, and Partner Specializations Updated

As Microsoft releases a series of new products for 2007, including new versions of Exchange, Office, and Windows, it is updating training material, certifications, and partner specializations as well

Distance Learning Blends Instructor, Virtual Classroom

New distance learning courses from Microsoft blend Live Meeting, a live instructor, virtual hands-on labs, and 'day in the life' scenarios

Server Platforms

Exchange 2007 Packaging, Licensing, and Pricing

Feature differences between the Standard and Enterprise Editions of Exchange Server 2007 as well as the Standard CAL and Enterprise CAL; pricing and other details for these licenses

Windows & Mobile

Dec. 2006 Security Updates

Dec. 2006's 'Patch Tuesday' included three critical and four important patches for Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office, but some zero-day exploits remain unpatched

Development Tools & Programs

Office UI Licenses Available

Developers who want to make applications that look like Office 2007 can get a free license from Microsoft, but it provides no code—only the rights to use Microsoft's patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property

Consumer Products & Services

Search Goes Mobile

Mobile phone users now have access to Microsoft's online search service

Municipal Wi-Fi Deal Signed

Microsoft will provide online content, search, and advertisements for a municipal Wi-Fi project in Portland, OR

Corporate News

Alcatel Suit and Other Legal News

Alcatel files a patent-infringement lawsuit against Microsoft, raising questions about the companies' IPTV partnership