In late April Microsoft launched in Lebanon its new Microsoft Server 2008, the successor to Windows Server 2003. The server is part of several major innovations by Microsoft in its platforms that have evolved into developer ecosystems. These platforms include the database server SQL 2008, Visual Studio 2008, and Windows Server 2008.
Microsoft intends them to form a cohesive whole, an interconnected platform in which components of each rely on and build off components of the other.
“The main focus of Microsoft is to try, with the new technology it is releasing, and mainly the server launch, to help partners and customers to develop solutions around them,” explained Michel Diab, developer and platform manager for North Africa, Mediterranean and Pakistan at Microsoft.
“Their main purpose is to help customers that are using our applications being able to better manage them and create solutions and better services around them,” he added. Put differently, the server and its components allow simplicity of the data utilization in the system and for complete customization and tailoring to a client’s needs.
“We have a full suite that can drill down all the way to the server level,” he explained. To be able to deal with these challenges, information-worker software needs to evolve. “It’s time to build on the capabilities we have today and create software that helps information workers adapt and thrive in an ever-changing work environment. In other words it should all give us an opportunity to re-imagine how software can help people get their jobs done. This is an important goal not only because the technology has evolved to make it possible, but also because the way we work is changing,” he said.
The server has already been implemented in some places around the country. For feedback, Executive spook with several Microsoft partners and end-users, and the response was overwhelmingly positive.
“After five years from the launch of the previous version, I can say that it was worth the wait. We are impressed by all the powerful new tools, like Internet Information Services (IIS) 7.0 and Server Manager. They really provide us with more control over our servers, and streamline web, configuration, and management tasks,” said Robert Madi, CIO, Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (LBCI).
The wonders of the new server
He continued to highlight that “Windows Server 2008 eases administration, management and automation. My IT team is very happy with the new Server Manager and PowerShell. We loved the idea of having a single, unified console for managing a server’s configuration and system information, displaying server status, identifying problems with server role configuration, and managing all roles installed on a server. Server Manager allows the IT team to complete tasks with fewer clicks without having to navigate between multiple tools and interfaces. Server Manager also interfaces directly with PowerShell, the command line shell and scripting language for automation. All Server Manager functions that can be used in the interface are available to PowerShell scripts.”
Soft Flow client Khaled Dankar, head of Internet & Portal Services at FRANSABANK, said “FRANSABANK realized that Microsoft implemented in Windows Vista what they thought as best practice while in Windows 2008. Microsoft Windows 2008 Server provides virtualization, advanced remote desktop management, and application publishing along with the new Network Access Protection (NAP) feature that performs a health check on computers prior to allowing network access. With over 1,200 PCs and 50 servers, the environment is hybrid yet simple and we are trying to centralize management and enhanced security.”
Maral Topalian, presales consultant, Midware Data Systems, concurred. “Windows Server 2008 delivers powerful improvements to the base operating system. New web tools, virtualization technologies, security enhancements, and management utilities help save time, reduce costs, and provide a solid foundation for our customers’ information technology infrastructure. The major highlight is the Hyper-V and the new wave of server virtualization offered by Microsoft,” she said.
“The key aspects are the security features and roles in Server 2008 such as Network Access Protection, Server Core, the Read Only Domain Controller, Powershell, Windows Deployment Services, and the Rights Management Services. Server 2008 has been hardened to help protect against failure and several new technologies help prevent unauthorized access to our customers’ networks, servers, data, and user accounts. NAP helps ensure that computers that try to connect to the network comply with customers’ organizations’ security policies. Technology integration and several enhancements make Active Directory services a potent unified and integrated identity and access (IDA) solution,” she explained.
“We, as an Application Service Provider and Hosting Service Provider, found the features in IIS 7.0 and the enhancements in Terminal Services very promising for our environment. In addition, if we compare it to other possible modules, we will find that it is definitely worth our investment,” said Patrick el Khoury, infrastructure manager for Capital Outsourcing
What’s different?
Windows 2008 has also merged features and technologies from UNIX and Windows 2003 R2. “These additional features give this operating system the ability to offer the majority of the third parties solutions in one bundle. Because in our line of business it is very important to offer the most available features, we found that Windows 2008 gave us the competitive advantage we need,” Khoury explained.
Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, Soft Flow is also one of the main LARs (Large Accounts Reseller) in Lebanon. Ziad Abdullah, Sales Manager at Soft Flow, said that “as a result of working back to back with Microsoft, our marketability and client base is growing continuously based on Microsoft trusted products and Soft Flow’s know how and expertise.”
Helmi Aloulou, deputy general manager of ICC explained the Microsoft Partnership. “With the mission to provide our clients with the most state-of-the-art technology, we have aligned ourselves with international technology venders. Being a Gold Partner means that we maintain a qualified environment of certified team members. Whenever needed, Microsoft provides support in human resource, additional training, or exposure to technical materials available only to the Gold Partners,” he said.
Aloulou continued in noting that “whenever there is a new launch, some people would like to wait and see. But with the new version of Microsoft products, the time lag is measure only in weeks. Price is actually where the importance of working with a good partner or Gold Partner of Microsoft, with Microsoft it is not always a direct cost issue. If you invest a bit now, and in software assurance, you will get the upgrades for free.”
Given that, he explained he still considers his company’s role to be as a consultant to Microsoft, stating that “If I am not convinced of a solution, I wouldn’t present this to our clients.”
When asked how his clients have been responding to the Microsoft Server 2008 and its performance, Aloulou said, “In one word, ‘marvelous’.”
