Click here to receive your FREE subscription to Campus Technology
News
Report: Microsoft Readying New SaaS Push
3/5/2008
According to blogger Nicholas Carr, Microsoft may be preparing to make a major Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) announcement soon, possibly at its MIX08 conference this week in Las Vegas.
"Microsoft has begun briefing its large enterprise clients on an expansive and detailed strategy for moving its software business into the cloud," Carr wrote on his Rough Type blog Saturday.
"The new strategy will, I'm told, lay out a roadmap of moves across three major areas: the transformation of the company's portfolio of enterprise applications to a web-services architecture, the launch of Web versions of its major PC applications, and the continued expansion of its data center network," he continued.
It appears that the datacenter network rumor, at least, may have some legs. On Sunday, Carr reported that sources are telling him Microsoft is planning an "over the top" network of datacenters.
"The first phase of the buildout, said the source, will include the construction of about two dozen data centers around the world, each covering about 500,000 square feet or more. The timing of the construction is unclear," he wrote.
"Microsoft has the resources and, it appears, the will to invest many billions in the physical infrastructure necessary to secure a place among the 'super-group' of companies set to dominate the new era of computing," he continued. "I've also heard that people may be 'stunned' about the extent to which Microsoft will embrace open-source software and interoperability in its plan. We shall see."
One of the datacenters may be located in Iowa -- the Iowa state legislature recently passed a bill designed to give Microsoft a six-year tax break to encourage it to build a "$750 million" datacenter in the state.
Microsoft's Chief Software Architect Ray Ozzie has talked of pushing the company software model toward SaaS or a Software+Services strategy since 2006, but Redmond has yet to make a significant push in the space, although it has integrated more products into projects like Windows Live and has shared SaaS sales strategies with its partners.
Becky Nagel is executive editor, Web Initiatives for the 1105 Redmond Media Group and the editor of Redmondmag.com.
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
Recommended Reading
- Moodle Gets SCORM Improvements, Security Fixes
New versions of Moodle have been released, bringing the most recent stable build to 1.9.3. The latest round of updates includes a number of bug fixes and security enhancements, as well as improvements to the SCORM module.
- Free 'Morro' Antivirus To Replace Microsoft OneCare
Microsoft is rolling out a free antivirus software program for consumers that will compete with products made by Symantec and McAfee. Code-named "Morro," the AV app is expected to be available by the end of 2009.
- Microsoft Demos New SQL Server Features at PASS
Microsoft Wednesday previewed the ability to centrally manage applications and resources in the planned upgrade of SQL Server, code-named "Kilimanjaro."
- Microsoft Unveils Exchange and SharePoint as Services
Microsoft exec Stephen Elop on Monday announced two hosted solutions from Microsoft--Exchange Online and SharePoint Online--which are now available to organizations of all sizes in the United States. The software, paid for by annual subscriptions, is hosted on Microsoft's servers and supported by Microsoft's channel partners.
- 6 Ways Not To Become Rote Using Instructional Technology
There are, in my experience, six strategies to consider with any use of technology that will guard against rote use of technology and facilitate critical analysis of teaching and learning effectiveness. In this article, I'll share with you the checklist I work with and encourage others to work with in learning about and using new technology.
- Bringing Student Web "Stuff" to Campus Enterprise Systems
How can an institution incorporate Web 2.0 learning opportunities for students, and evidence of learning from those opportunities, into existing campus technologies and processes? PlugJam is providing part of the answer.
