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Switchfast Blog: The Future of IT

Microsoft Gets Busy Rolling Out Office 2010 , Windows InTune, Fix It

Monday, April 19, 2010 by Bryan Anderson

It's been an exceptional first quarter for Microsoft thus far with the launch of Windows 7 and Windows Phone 7. They continue to progress and push toward a cloud-filled, security-focused future.

Microsoft has recently announced their newest PC management and security software experience, Windows Intune. According to the Windows Team blog (official Windows blog), this program "simplifies how businesses manage and secure PCs using Windows cloud services and Windows 7 - making it easier for IT staff to manage and secure PCs from virtually anywhere." Although only 1,000 customers will gain initial access, the program will soon roll-out to the entire public. Here are some notable components:

                Manage PCs through web-based console

                Manage updates

                Protection from malware

                Proactively monitor PCs

                Provide remote assistance

                Track hardware and software inventory

                Set security policies

Alongside Windows InTune product comes Windows 7 Enterprise upgrade rights to standardize your PC's on a single version of Windows to create a more manageable PC environment. To learn more, read the post on the Windows Team blog.

Another roll out today involved Microsoft's Fix It software, which can now be used by Windows XP and Vista users (Windows 7 users have this feature built directly into the OS). According to a post over at ZDnet.com, this "software package brings together a series of automatic troubleshooters as well as personalized solutions based on the system's hardware and software configuration." Although the service is currently in Beta, it's free and could help you solve some problems with the simplest solution.

On Friday, Microsoft confirmed its completion of development work on the next Office family (Office, Sharepoint, Visio, Project 2010). An article over at CNET.com reiterates the launch event on May 12 in New York, which will be the first day that businesses can secure the next installment of Windows software.  Of course, "Microsoft has been promising those buying Office 2007 a free upgrade to Office 2010," so businesses will finally get access to browser-based versions of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and OneNote.

Let's hope everything distributes smoothly and the upgrades are truly as beneficial as they sound!

 

Until next time -

Matthew Hymel

 

Switchfast Technologies
Chicago IT Support & Consulting
Rochester IT Support & Consulting

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1 comment(s) for “Microsoft Gets Busy Rolling Out Office 2010 , Windows InTune, Fix It”
  1. emily says:
    Microsoft has a dismal future http://bit.ly/bvbdxp. It’s value is going nowhere as it defends its OS and Office products. Meanwhile Apple is blowing the doors off expectations, and will be worth more than Microsoft in just a few months, because it is creating new revenue streams and growing using White Space http://bit.ly/bpZF4X

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