Category Microsoft

Next year on April 12th, Microsoft SQL Server 2005 will reach its end of extended support. This means that Microsoft will stop providing updates and all types of support. We recommend that you upgrade to one of the supported Microsoft SQL Server versions – SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014.

If you don’t upgrade on time, you may become a target for cybercriminals. Unsupported software can present a potential security issue and business risk. Completely supported versions of SQL Server help to improve the performance of your application platform and also save you money.

Currently there are discounts for licensing. Contact us for more questions about upgrading and migrating to a newer version.

Lync will become Skype for Business officially on March 18^th. Rebranding will bring a new modern UI with elements from Lync and Skype and it will include well known Skype icons for calling and call monitor, possibility of calling any Skype user on any device, etc.

“A new client experience, new server release, and updates to the service in Office 365.”

Users with on-premises Lync servers will have to upgrade Skype for Business manually. For Office 365 for business customers, it will be done automatically.

Microsoft has recently filed a trademark for Windows 365. So, we can guess that a subscription model for licensing the operating system is probably on the way.

Microsoft will provide “access to non-downloadable computer software”. It is possible that you won’t have to install the entire OS on your PC; you might be able install a minimal environment which is good for low-end Windows devices. There is also mention of cloud storage, online training, video on demand, etc.

It had already been announced that Windows 10 will be free for Windows 7 and Windows 8 users for one year after its launch. Microsoft has not yet revealed a pricing strategy for Windows 10 after the one-year period, or a license cost for users that are building their own PCs.

Windows 10 Technical Preview users can now download touch-friendly versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint from the Windows Store Beta. There are only versions for PCs, laptops and tablets available; the mobile versions of the apps will be released in a few weeks. Microsoft Office touch apps are designed to work on any device running Windows 10. These new Office apps will be pre-installed for free on phones and small tablets. The applications work on both x86/x64 and ARM devices.

Microsoft also announced Office 2016 for the second half of the year, which will be suited for a PC with keyboard and mouse.

Raspberry PI Foundation revealed a new version of the Pi with a microcomputer which is six times stronger than its predecessor; the new Pi costs only 35 dollars. The Raspberry Pi 2 Model B has ARMv7 quad-core processor and 1GB of RAM. The USB, Ethernet, A/V, HDMI, micro SD and micro USB connectors are in the same locations as on the PI model B+. The new board will be supported by Windows 10 which will be free for all Raspberry Pi users. With this move Microsoft wanted to expand their Internet of Things program; there will be more details about Windows 10 plans for IoT in the coming months.

Besides that, Windows 10 will be free for Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 Home and Professional users for one year upon launch.