MOVE YOUR MOUSE OVER THE HIGHLIGHTED TECHNOLOGIES FOR HELPFUL INFORMATION
- Windows ME
As of 7-11-2006, extended Support for Windows ME is no longer available as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Microsoft retired all public and technical support, including security updates for this product.
- Windows Vista
is a line of operating systems developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PC’s, and media center PCs. Prior to its release announcement on July 22, 2005, Windows Vista was known by its codename "Longhorn." Development was completed on November 8, 2006; over the following three months it was released in stages to computer hardware and software manufacturers, business customers, and retail channels. On January 30, 2007, it was released worldwide, and was made available for purchase and download from Microsoft's website. The release of Windows Vista came more than five years after the introduction of its predecessor, Windows XP, the longest time span between successive releases of Microsoft Windows desktop operating systems. It was succeeded by Windows 7 which was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and for the general public on October 22, 2009. Criticisms of Windows Vista has targeted its high system requirements, its more restrictive licensing terms, the inclusion of a number of new digital rights management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of protected digital media, lack of compatibility with some pre-Vista hardware and software, and the number of authorization prompts for ‘User Account Control. As a result of these and other issues, Windows Vista had seen initial adoption and satisfaction rates lower than Windows XP.
- Windows 98 and Windows 98/SE
WINDOWS 98 – As of 7-11-2006, extended Support for Windows 98 is no longer available as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Microsoft retired all public and technical support, including security updates for this product.
WINDOWS 98SE – As of 7-11-2006, extended Support for Windows 98SE is no longer available as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Microsoft retired all public and technical support, including security updates for this product.
- Windows XP
is a line of operating system produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, and media centers. It was released in 2001. The name "XP" is short for "eXPerience". Windows XP is the successor to both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows ME, and is the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel and architecture. Windows XP was first released on October 25, 2001, and over 400 million copies were in use in January 2006, according to an estimate in that month by an IDC analyst. It was succeeded by Windows Vista, which was released to volume license customers on November 8, 2006, and worldwide to the general public on January 30, 2007. Windows XP is known for its improved stability and efficiency over the earlier 9x versions of Microsoft Windows. Windows XP presents a significantly redesigned graphical user interface, a change Microsoft promoted as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows. A new software management facility called Side-by-Side Assembly was introduced to resolve the “DLL hell” that plagued the earlier 9x versions of Windows. It is also the first version of Windows to use product activation to combat illegal copying, a restriction that did not sit well with some users and privacy advocates. Windows XP has also been criticized by some users for security vulnerabilities, tight integration of applications such as Internet Explorer 6 and Windows Media Player, and for aspects of its default user interface. Later versions with Service Pack 2, Service Pack 3, and Internet Explorer 7 and 8 addressed some of these concerns. The ‘sunset’ date for ending Microsoft’s Extended Support of Windows XP has not yet been determined.
- Windows 2000 Pro
As of 6-30-2005, Windows 2000 Professional is in Extend Support as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Security updates will continue to be developed and deployed to the general public for this product. Extended Support for this product is scheduled to end on 7-13-2010.
- Windows 7
is the latest public release version of Microsoft Windows including home and business desktops, laptops, netbooks, tablet PC's, and media center PC's. Windows 7 was released to manufacturing on July 22, 2009, and reached general retail availability on October 22, 2009, less than three years after the release of its predecessor, Windows Vista. Windows 7's server counterpart, Windows Server 2008 R2, was released at the same time. Unlike its predecessor, which introduced a large number of new features, Windows 7 was intended to be a more focused, incremental upgrade to the Windows line, with the goal of being fully compatible with applications and hardware with which Windows Vista is already compatible. Presentations given by Microsoft in 2008 focused on multi-touch support, a redesigned Windows Shell with a new taskbar, referred to as the Superbar, a home networking system called HomeGroup, and performance improvements. Some applications that have been included with prior releases of Microsoft Windows, including Windows Calendar, Windows Mail, Windows Movie Maker, and Windows Photo Gallery are not included in Windows 7 - most are instead offered separately as part of the free Windows Live Essentials suite.
- Windows Server 2003/R2
As of 7-13-2010, Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 R2 will move from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. During this phase, Microsoft will continue to provide security updates and paid support.
- Windows Essential Business Server 2003
Windows Essential Business Server (code named Centro) is Microsoft's server offering for mid-size businesses (up to a maximum of 300 Users and/or Devices). It was released to manufacturing on September 16, 2008 and was officially launched on the 12th of November 2008. Built from the Windows Server 2008 codebase, two editions are available: Standard and Premium. The Standard edition includes three Windows Server 2008 x64 Standard Servers and on top of those three servers: Microsoft Exchange 2007, Microsoft System Center Essentials, Microsoft Forefront Security for Exchange Server, and Forefront Threat Management Gateway, Medium Business Edition formerly known as Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server (ISA). The Premium edition adds another Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition and the Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Standard database software. According to Microsoft, Essential Business Server features a single administration/management console, through which the collection of managed clients and servers can be monitored and managed. Third party software can also utilize the same console to present an administration interface to their software. Essential Business Server also includes Remote Web Workplace, an out-of-the-box feature that enables IT to easily set up security-enhanced remote access to company client computers and Outlook Web Access.
- Voice-Over-IP Telephony
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a general term for a family of transmission technologies for delivery of voice communications over IP networks such as the Internet or other packet-switched networks. Other terms frequently encountered and synonymous with VoIP are IP telephony, Internet telephony, voice over broadband (VoBB), broadband telephony, and broadband phone.
- Windows Server 2000
As of 6-30-2005, Windows 2000 Professional is in Extend Support as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Security updates will continue to be developed and deployed to the general public for this product. Extended Support for this product is scheduled to end on 7-13-2010.
- Windows Server 2008 is the Microsoft Windows server operating system launched on October 22, 2009. It is built on Windows NT 6.1; the same core operating system used with the end-user oriented Windows 7. It is the first 64-bit only operating system release from Microsoft. Version enhancements include new functionality for Active Directory, new Virtualization and Management features, the release of IIS 7.5, and support for up to 256 logical processors.
- SBS 2008/R2
SBS 2008/R2 – Windows Small Business Server (SBS) 2008 (formerly Microsoft Small Business Server) is an integrated server suite from Microsoft designed for running network infrastructure (both intranet management and Internet access) of small and medium enterprises having no more than 75 workstations or users. Application server technologies are tightly integrated to enable small businesses with targeted solutions such as the Remote Web Workplace, and offer management benefits such as integrated setup, enhanced monitoring, a unified management console, and remote access. Windows Small Business Server is technically not an ‘edition’ of the Windows Server operating system but rather a customized product SKU of server technologies targeted especially to small businesses. As such, the application servers are not merely bundled with the OS but are tightly integrated into the operating system. Since the release of SBS 2008, the same service packs as those for Windows Server or other server products can be used to update the OS.
- SBS 2003/R2
As of 7-13-2010, SBS 2003 and SBS 2003 R2 will move from the Mainstream Support phase to the Extended Support phase as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. During this phase, Microsoft will continue to provide security updates and paid support.
- SBS 2000
As of 6-30-2005, SBS 2000 is in Extend Support as part of the Microsoft Lifecycle Policy. Security updates will continue to be developed and deployed to the general public for this product. Extended Support for this product is scheduled to end on 7-13-2010.
- Date/Voice Convergence is the tendency for different technological systems to evolve towards performing similar tasks. Convergence can refer to previously separate technologies such as voice (and telephony features), data (and productivity applications) and video that now share resources and interact with each other, synergistically creating new efficiencies. The primary benefit of this technology is the reduction of redundant networks and the consolidation of voice and data circuits into one utility.
- Groupware / Exchange Server
Microsoft Exchange Server is a messaging and collaborative software product developed by Microsoft. It is part of the Microsoft Servers line of server products and is widely used by enterprises using Microsoft infrastructure solutions. Exchange's major features consist of electronic mail, calendaring, contacts and tasks; support for mobile and web-based access to information; and support for data storage.
Exchange Server 2007 was released on November 30, 2006, to business customers as part of Microsoft's roll-out wave of new products. It includes new clustering options, 64-bit support for greater scalability, voice mail integration, better search and support for Web services, better filtering options, and a new Outlook Web Access interface. Exchange 2007 also dropped support for Exchange 5.50 migrations, routing groups, admin groups, Outlook Mobile Access, X.400, and some API interfaces, amongst other features.
Microsoft announced that Exchange 2010 would be available from the second period of 2009, and it was released to manufacturing (RTM'ed) on October 9, 2009.
Exchange Server 2010 was officially launched on November 9, 2009; a month after hitting RTM. A 120 day trial is also downloadable from Microsoft. Exchange 2010 is also only available in 64-bit as part of Microsoft's drive for all its future products to be solely 64-bit based. Exchange 2010 will run on Windows Server 2008 with SP2 at least and Windows Server 2008 R2 (also only released in a 64-bit edition).
- Mobility
Mobility is known loosely as a technology that extends the computing power and resources of the office out to a mobile hand-held device or smartphone. This technology is primarily focused on email services redirected and routed from an existing back-end mail service out to a client’s hand-held device. The industry is dominated by 3 players, RIM Blackberry, Windows Mobile, and the Apple iPhone. All vendors integrate with Microsoft Exchange Server utilizing Microsoft ‘Push’ technology, Blackberry Enterprise Server, or the Blackberry Internet Service.
BlackBerry is a line of wireless mobile device that was introduced in 1999 as a two-way pager. In 2002, the more commonly known smartphone BlackBerry was released, which supports push-email, mobile telephone, text messaging, internet faxing, web browsing and other wireless information services. It is an example of a convergent device. Developed by the Canadian company Research in Motion (RIM), it delivers information over the wireless data networks of mobile phone service companies. BlackBerry first made headway in the marketplace by concentrating on e-mail.
Windows Mobile is a compact operating system developed by Microsoft, and designed for use in smartphones and mobile devices. It is based on Windows CE, and is designed to be somewhat similar to the desktop versions of Windows, feature-wise and aesthetically. Additionally, third-party software development is available for Windows Mobile. Originally appearing as the Pocket PC 2000 operating system, most Windows Mobile phones come with a stylus pen, which is used to enter commands by tapping it on the screen.] Windows Mobile has been updated multiple times, with the current version being Windows Mobile 6.5. The next major revision, Windows Mobile 7.0, has been delayed until the end of 2010.
The iPhone is an Internet and multimedia enabled smartphone designed and marketed by Apple. The iPhone functions as a camera phone (also including text messaging and visual voicement), a portable media player (equivalent to a video iPod), and an Internet client (with email, web browsing, and Wi-Fi connectivity) — using the phone's multi-touch screen to render a virtual keyboard in lieu of a physical keyboard.
- SAAS / Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is Internet- ("cloud-") based development and use of computer technology. In concept, it is a paradigm shift whereby details are abstracted from the users who no longer need knowledge of, expertise in, or control over the technology infrastructure "in the cloud" that supports them. It typically involves the provision of dynamically scalable and often virtualized resources as a service over the Internet.
The term cloud is used as a metaphor for the Internet, based on how the Internet is depicted in computer network diagrams and is an abstraction of the underlying infrastructure it conceals. Typical cloud computing providers deliver common business applications online which are accessed from a web browser, while the software and data are stored on servers on the Internet.
- Microsoft Business Productivity Online Suite (BPOS) and Google Apps are perhaps the two most notable players in the ‘cloud computing’ space competing for market share in what has been speculated to be the next major paradigm shift from client-owned data networks to a hosted, off-site solution billed on a monthly per-user model.
- The Zenith Advanced Recovery and Continuity Appliance (ARCA) is a network-attached storage device for Windows Servers that comes preloaded with all backup, recovery and virtualization software it needs to protect your business. It’s a perfect complement or replacement to existing tape backups because of its ability to provide near-term, near-line recovery from a single file, database or mail message, up to a full production server, in minutes.
- NAS - Server Virtualization
“Backup. Disaster Recovery. Business Continuity”…For many business owners, these terms are often synonymous with backing up to tape or external hard drive. But in truth, that’s just a backup. If you backup your critical business data to an off-site storage facility, then you have the start of a disaster recovery plan. At this point, most companies feel that if they can put their hands on their data they have a degree of business continuity; however, maintaining business continuity – actually using the data to repair or recover from a problem in a short timeframe – is often an unforeseen impossibility. The penalty for extended downtime starts at lost productivity and revenue, and in extreme cases, ends when the business closes forever.
- NAS - Offline
A ‘Network-Attached-Storage’ (NAS) unit is a computer connected to a network that only provides file-based data storage services to other devices on the network. Although it may technically be possible to run other software on a NAS unit, it is not designed to be a general purpose server. For example, NAS units usually do not have a keyboard or display, and are controlled and configured over the network, often using a browser. A fully-featured operating system is not needed on a NAS device, so often a stripped-down operating system is used. NAS systems contain one or more hard disks, often arranged into logical, redundant storage containers or RAID arrays (redundant arrays of inexpensive/independent disks). NAS removes the responsibility of file serving from other servers on the network.
While NAS backups may appear to be an excellent alternative to traditional tape backup and archiving, there is an inherent risk of losing data in the event of a localized disaster where the production servers and network are damaged in addition to the NAS backup unit typically located within the same facility or data room. With that in mind, it is imperative that an offline solution also be incorporated with a NAS backup solution. There are currently a myriad of offline storage vendors (Mozy [http://mozy.com/pro/], Symform [http://www.symform.com/], etc.) that are available for providing off-site storage for a monthly, per-gigabyte fee to the end-user.
- Outsourced Proactive Support
OUTSOURCED - PROACTIVE & MANAGED (FIXED FEE) - Blue Sky Technology!
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