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Microsoft Appeals Patent Verdict to Supreme Court
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 31, 2010
It's taken a year to get this far, but after a patent infringement suit went against Microsoft, the company has been gradually escalating its arguments to higher and higher courts. Will the Supreme Court take the case?
Operating System Support: How Long Does Yours Last?
By Sean Michael Kerner | Applications Article Published August 30, 2010
Getting support for your servers, mainframe, notebook and desktop OSes is a key factor in any buying decision. Red Hat, Novell, Microsoft, HP and IBM give us their views on how much support they feel customers need. But is it enough for you?
Microsoft Beefs Up Office Web Apps
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 27, 2010
The online versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint get a handful of enhancements.
Study: Firms Lack Business Analytics Benefits
By Thor Olavsrud | Applications Article Published August 27, 2010
A Deloitte study indicates a full third of enterprises are missing the benefits from business analytics.
Microsoft Virtualization Beats VMware at CH2M Hill
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 26, 2010
Engineering firm CH2M Hill says switching from VMware to Microsoft's Hyper-V will help it save more than $3 million over the next three to five years.
Windows 95 Anniversary: Looking Back, 15 Years Later
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 25, 2010
Fifteen years may seem to be forever in the tech world, but Aug. 24, 1995 was a pivotal day for Microsoft and a whole world full of Windows users.
Letting Go of Windows Server 2003
By Kenneth Hess | Applications Article Published August 24, 2010
With Windows Server 2003 having passed its mainstream support date, what is the next best option?
First Chrome OS Tablet Set for Black Friday Debut?
By David Needle | Applications Article Published August 18, 2010
Report claims Google will bring out the first Chrome-OS powered tablet in conjunction with Verizon right after Thanksgiving. But why Chrome OS and not Android?
How 'Facebook Places' Will Make Location Services Boring
By Mike Elgan | Applications Article Published August 18, 2010
Facebook's aggressive entry into the emerging location business will mainstream the technology, transforming it into something commonplace and expected.
Internet Explorer, 15 Years and Counting
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 18, 2010
Microsoft bundled IE with Windows early on, which gave the company an early leg up in browsers. But can the software giant hold on to the dominant position it's had for so many years?
New Beta of Live Essentials Goes to Work
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 18, 2010
As it releases a beta "refresh" of the upcoming Live Essentials 2011, Microsoft adds new capabilities that are relevant to workplace scenarios, in addition to consumers.
SlideShare's Presentation-Sharing Service Goes Pro
By David Needle | Applications Article Published August 17, 2010
The popular online service for sharing PowerPoint presentations and other documents is rolling out a new subscription version for SMBs and enterprise customers.
H-1B Visa Fees Rise With Border Security Bill
By Kenneth Corbin | Applications Article Published August 17, 2010
Financing mechanism for measure to secure the U.S.-Mexico border would increase fees for foreign companies staffing their U.S. operations with guest workers, drawing protests from some Indian businesses.
Microsoft Execs Detail Business Software Opportunities
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 13, 2010
Cloud computing and business upgrades to Windows 7 were among the growth opportunities cited by Microsoft executives, but demand for the relatively ancient Windows XP continues as well.
Oracle Sues Google Over Java in Android
By Sean Michael Kerner | Applications Article Published August 13, 2010
Tech titans are set to clash over Java patents and Google's Android operating system.
Business Intelligence Software: Key Applications
By Jonathan Hassell | Applications Article Published August 12, 2010
A look at the offerings from key vendors in the business intelligence software market.
Microsoft Rolls Out 'Mission Critical' Support
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 11, 2010
Enterprise IT departments with large investments in Microsoft technologies can now get a new premium level of technical support with 24/7 contacts and a 30-minute response time.
Sybase Taps HP for BI Reference Architecture
By David Needle | Applications Article Published August 10, 2010
In a partnership with HP, Sybase says its Sybase IQ 15 business intelligence software is now available as a reference architecture for HP ProLiant DL785 servers.
Skype Files for $100 Million IPO
By Larry Barrett | Applications Article Published August 9, 2010
The VoIP service provider is going public after it filed an S-1 report with the SEC Commission declaring its intention to offer shares worth as much as $100 million.
Microsoft Ships Last IE9 Preview Before Beta Release
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 5, 2010
As the public beta test of Internet Explorer 9 approaches, Microsoft touts the progress it's made getting the browser ready for its first close up with users.
Google Says Goodbye to Wave
By David Needle | Applications Article Published August 5, 2010
Highly touted collaboration software didn't get the adoption rate Google had hoped.
Windows 7 Outstrips Vista After Only Nine Months
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published August 3, 2010
It's only been nine months since the release of Windows 7, but a new report shows it has already superseded its predecessor in terms of usage.
Server Virtualization Falsehoods: Ignore These 10
By Kenneth Hess | Applications Article Published August 2, 2010
As server virtualization grows ever more popular, the non-truths propagate quickly.
Analysts Eager to Hear Microsoft's Plans for Ballmer, Growth
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 29, 2010
Microsoft hopes to wow attendees at its annual gathering of analysts on the company's Redmond, Wash. campus. But the biggest question of the day may go unanswered.
i4i Patent Ruled Valid - U.S. Supreme Court Next?
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 28, 2010
The patent office issued an official statement that tiny i4i's custom XML patent is valid. Microsoft has until the end of next month to appeal to a higher power.
SaaS Market Growing by Leaps and Bounds: Gartner
By Larry Barrett | Applications Article Published July 27, 2010
Gartner's latest report confirms what the market and top enterprise software vendors have been saying for the past three years: SaaS and cloud computing are the future and the future is now.
Oracle Targets Big Pharma With Serialization App
By Larry Barrett | Applications Article Published July 27, 2010
Pedigree and Serialization Manager release promises to improve supply chain management and facilitate regulatory compliance for the pharmaceutical industry.
Microsoft Does It Again -- Record Revenues in 2010
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 22, 2010
What recession? As expected, Microsoft broke revenue records again thanks to Windows 7 and Office 2010. Can the good times continue?
Windows 7 Sales Likely to Drive Microsoft Earnings
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 21, 2010
Microsoft is expected to turn in another strong quarter fueled by its new operating system, but will almost predictable record earnings -- again -- please or disappoint investors?
Microsoft: Windows 7 Service Pack Coming in 2011
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 21, 2010
SP1 may be in beta now, but the company admits that Windows 7 customers may have to wait some time before getting their hands on the full update.
Desktop Virtualization: Overview and Software
By Serdar Yegulalp | Applications Article Published July 20, 2010
Desktop virtualization enables your PC to have far greater flexibility. Which desktop virtualization solution is best for you?
IBM Tops 2Q Profit Targets, Points to Signs of IT Recovery
By Larry Barrett | Applications Article Published July 19, 2010
Big Blue managed to rake in another $3.4 billion in profits last quarter, thanks to strong demand for software, services and new hardware products.
Former DARPA Researcher to Lead Top MSFT Lab
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 19, 2010
Microsoft's research organization has tapped a former government researcher to head its largest computer research lab.
Microsoft Sees Opportunity in Shrinking Federal Budgets
By Kenneth Corbin | Applications Article Published July 15, 2010
Leaders of software giant's federal division outline government priorities in moving IT to the cloud as they are under pressure to trim budgets.
Cloud Computing's Reach is Further Than Most Think
By David Needle | Applications Article Published July 15, 2010
Gomez analysis shows that 19 percent of website transactions include a cloud service at some point in the chain, and businesses have no visibility into this service.
Evernote Launches Platform, 100 'Apps'
By Mike Elgan | Applications Article Published July 14, 2010
Evernote enables you to dump content into a personal and secure space, and easily recall it with search.
Microsoft Extends Windows XP 'Downgrade Rights' Again
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 14, 2010
Changes in how Microsoft handles systems "downgraded" to be sold with Windows XP aim to make the process more consistent and responsive to customers' needs, but it still seems confusing.
IT Survey Highlights Virtualization Challenges
By David Needle | Applications Article Published July 13, 2010
Virtualization has great promise -- and has seen dramatic levels of adoption -- yet complexity of deployments and other issues persist.
Microsoft to Offer Azure 'Appliance'
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 12, 2010
At Microsoft's Worldwide Partner Conference this week, the software titan plans to announce it will enable customers and third-party hosting partners to run Windows Azure in their own datacenters.
Google Unconcerned with Facebook, Apple
By Reuters | Applications Article Published July 9, 2010
At an industry gathering, Google executives declined to confirm media reports that Google is developing a new service called Google Me to compete with Facebook, which has grown to nearly 500 million users in its six-year history.
The Microsoft-Salesforce Cloud Computing Dispute
By Paul Rubens | Applications Article Published July 8, 2010
At the center of Microsoft's lawsuit against Salesforce is the emerging move toward cloud computing.
White House Rolls Out Apps for Government
By Kenneth Corbin | Applications Article Published July 6, 2010
Administration technophiles debut a revamped USA.gov site, offering a down payment on third-party mobile apps as they continue work modernizing federal information and communications operations.
Can Microsoft Reverse IE's Slide?
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published July 2, 2010
A Microsoft official hails a month when Internet Explorer didn't lose users, even though it was a small margin of growth, as a possible beginning of a turnaround for the aging browser.
How to Re-create 'Mad Men' Business Technology
By Mike Elgan | Applications Article Published June 30, 2010
With a collection of the right apps and online services you can re-create the benefits of some 1960s Mad Men business technology.
Microsoft Says It's Winning
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published June 29, 2010
Apparently fed up with taking a constant drubbing from the media and tech pundits, Microsoft's chief spin doctor talks up the software giant's successes.
Windows 8 Features Leaked?
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published June 28, 2010
Details of what's likely to be included in the next major release of Windows are leaking out. But is Windows 8 coming anytime soon?
Is the Service Pack for Windows 7 Already in Beta?
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published June 25, 2010
Microsoft watchers have spotted early copies of the Windows 7 Service Pack 1 beta. The software giant says it's all part of the plan.
Using Deduplication to Ease Virtualization's Complexity
By Drew Robb | Applications Article Published June 25, 2010
While virtualization provides great flexibility, it tends to add complexity. Deduplication can ease the data center burden.
Microsoft Warns PC Managers XP SP2 Support Expires Soon
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published June 24, 2010
A new survey shows that almost half of all PCs in the enterprise are still running Windows XP Service Pack 2, and support expires in mid-July. What choices do PC managers face as they try to shore up their systems?
IBM Rolls Out Business Intelligence Platform for Traders
By Larry Barrett | Applications Article Published June 23, 2010
Pre-integrated software package is all about speed, allowing financial services providers to draw from more than 100 different data feeds to find trading triggers.
Business Intelligence Software and Post-Crash Strategy
By Larry Marion | Applications Article Published June 23, 2010
In the wake of the financial downturn, business are turning to BI software to find new ways to manage costs.
Virtualization Vendors: VMware vs. Microsoft vs. Citrix
By David Strom | Applications Article Published June 22, 2010
The leading virtualization vendors have been actively maneuvering for market share. Who is ahead? Take a look at the virtualization product comparison chart.
Microsoft, Aldata Collaborate on Retail Apps
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published June 22, 2010
Finnish developer Aldata signs on to write vertical retail apps for Microsoft's Dynamics AX for Retail package.
Storage Virtualization: Overview and Options
By Rick Vanover | Applications Article Published June 21, 2010
Storage virtualization can enable greater flexibility at lower cost. A guide to storage virtualization, its various forms and the leading choices.
Socialtext Connect a Missing Link for Enterprise Apps?
By David Needle | Applications Article Published June 17, 2010
Latest feature to the social media platform aims to surface content from other enterprise apps.
Google Rolls Out 16 New Online Apps
By David Needle | Applications Article Published June 15, 2010
The search and online advertising leader's online store now has 16 new applications that integrate with Google's productivity apps.
IBM Buys Web Analytics Provider Coremetrics
By Larry Barrett | Applications Article Published June 15, 2010
IBM bolstered its on-demand analytics portfolio this week with the acquisition of Coremetrics, a provider of on-demand Web analytics applications used to analyze customer interactions and develop social media-based marketing campaigns.
Net Censorship Central to U.S. Foreign Policy
By Kenneth Corbin | Applications Article Published June 11, 2010
Senior official at State Department say that Internet freedom has become a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy as governments increasingly try to limit information.
China Defends Internet Censorship Policy
By Kenneth Corbin | Applications Article Published June 9, 2010
Government issues report reaffirming its commitment to "law-based" access and control of the Internet.
What Does the Mac's Non-Presence at Apple's WWDC Mean?
By Andy Patrizio | Applications Article Published June 8, 2010
Steve Jobs spoke for 90 minutes, give or take a few, and never mentioned the Mac once, even as its sales are the best ever. What can be taken from this?
Apple Debuts Safari 5 to Extend Web Browsing
By Sean Michael Kerner | Applications Article Published June 8, 2010
Apple incorporates new HTML5, developer tools, performance and reader capabilities in the latest iteration of its Safari Web browser.
Microsoft's Azure Hits 10K Customer Mark
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published June 7, 2010
Microsoft's Azure cloud services have only been available commercially for four months but they have already attracted more early customers than at least one analyst expected.
Microsoft Settles Patent Row with BackWeb
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published June 4, 2010
Sometimes it just makes sense to settle lawsuits than to fight them out for years in the courts. Is that the message that Microsoft is sending lately?
IT Outsourcing Trends: Slow Growth, Cloud Computing
By Thor Olavsrud | Applications Article Published June 3, 2010
The IT outsourcing sector is returning to growth, though now slower in the recession’s wake. Meanwhile, cloud computing is changing the IT outsourcing equation.
Microsoft Ships Beta of Next-Generation Configuration Manager
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published May 27, 2010
The latest release of its toolset for managing system operations will be built on three pillars of operations.
Ten Cloud Computing Leaders
By Jeff Vance | Applications Article Published May 26, 2010
Established and start-up cloud computing innovators that are leading the way in this emerging technology.
Apple Now Worth More Than Microsoft
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published May 26, 2010
Stock markets finally achieved what some wags had been waiting for some time to see -- Apple is now worth more than Microsoft.
Lessons From a Business Intelligence Software Breakdown
By Larry Marion | Applications Article Published May 26, 2010
A pre-built business intelligence software solution turned into a user nightmare for one firm, providing valuables lessons for users of off-the-shelf BI applications.
Microsoft Updates Dynamics ERP Financial Reporting Tool
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published May 25, 2010
Microsoft releases an updated tool meant to help finance personnel create a variety of custom reports without having to ask IT to intervene on their behalf.
Dell Updates KACE Appliance Software Management
By Andy Patrizio | Applications Article Published May 25, 2010
In the first update since it acquired the management console for the mid-level market, Dell focuses on power management and efficiency.
Did Google's Pac-Man Celebration Gobble Productivity?
By David Needle | Applications Article Published May 25, 2010
RescueTime says the embedded game at Google's search site diverted some 4.82 million work hours. Google called the 30th anniversary of Pac-Man celebration a success.
The Windows 7 Wave Is On Its Way
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published May 25, 2010
Research firm Forrester studied 90,000 corporate PCs and found Windows 7 has already outstripped its predecessor, Windows Vista, taking only six months to penetrate as deeply as Vista did in a year.
Customers Forgive Microsoft for Vista: Survey
By Stuart J. Johnston | Applications Article Published May 21, 2010
A new survey of customer satisfaction finds that Microsoft's image is recovering from the Windows Vista debacle as more and more users check out Windows 7.
Google Unveils Web TV
By Reuters | Applications Article Published May 21, 2010
In a risky move that many vendors have so far failed at, Google announces an ambitious plan to merge the Internet with television.
Google Details Enterprise Developer Push
By David Needle | Applications Article Published May 19, 2010
App Engine for Business and a "deep technical partnership" with VMware are designed to help Google win over more enterprise customers. Will they work?

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