Microsoft Renames Security Offerings; They're Now Called 'Forefront'

Microsoft is rebranding its security offerings--including Antigen and Microsoft Client ProtectionServices-- with a new Microsoft Forefront moniker.

This news, along with a renewed push on Microsoft's "people-ready business" spiel, kicks off the annual Tech Ed fest Sunday night with a raft of mostly previously-announced deliverables.

The hot SQL Server franchise will get more partner help with Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Fujitsu, EMC, Network Appliance 3PAR, Hitachi, and NEC pledging support for the company's "Always On" high-availability initiative, said Steve Guggenheimer, general manager for application and platform development marketing in advance of Sunday night's keynotes.

Recapping last week's news, the company will make available Community Technical Previews (CTPs) of SQL Server Everywhere and Visual Studio Team Edition for Database Professionals. And it will re-announce plans for BizTalk Server 2006 R2 with integral RFID connectivity and home-grown, native EDI support. It is due the first half of 2007.

BizTalk Server is Microsoft's enterprise application integration offering and competes with WebMethods, Tibco and others.

The company will demonstrate Axapta 4.0 and its ability to enable Web 2.0-style mash-ups to the ERP world.

The company will also talk up last week's news of the Windows Compute Cluster 2003 release and announce public beta availability for System Center Operations Manager 2007 (formerly known as Microsoft Operations Manager or MOM.)

In addition, Microsoft executives will talk about a new BizTalk Adapter Pack that will let third-party VARs and ISVs integration Office 2007 and their back-office applications.

They will also get a tad more specific on timing for Exchange Server 2007 beta 2. It has already been promised for a summer release, and now they are saying July.

Headlining the Boston event will be Bob Muglia, senior vice president of Server and Tools Business; Chris Capossela, corporate vice president for Information Worker Product Management group and Ray Ozzie, CTO.