I thought this would be a good time to look ahead at what is coming from Microsoft in 2003. Microsoft has indicated the following releases and milestones for this new year. It will be interesting to see which of these make it and which — if any — don’t.
- Expect the release of Windows® .NET Server 2003. This is expected in the first half of this year.
- Expect the release of the next version of Office (“Office 11”). Among its features, this new version will have broad support for XML.
- Expect the next version of the Exchange messaging platform, code-named “Titanium.” Among its new features is better mobile access.
- Expect “Jupiter.” This is a new, combined version of Microsoft BizTalk® Server, Microsoft Commerce Server and Microsoft Content Management Server.
- Expect SharePointTM) Team Services.
- Expect “XDocs,” a new application, built from the ground up. This application which is expected to be a part of the office suite of apps, allows you to create rich text forms that can serve as a front end in capturing data.
- Expect Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET 2003 along with the .NET Framework 1.1.
- Expect the release of a 64-bit version of Microsoft SQL ServerTM 2000 Enterprise Edition. This version is to take advantage in the enhancements in the 64-bit platform of Windows .NET Server 2003.
- Expect an enterprise-level tool for conducting managed communications via instant messaging – MSN® Messenger Connect for Enterprises.
- Expect speech. Microsoft is working on a number of speech technologies including the release of a beta of the .NET Speech platform, the release to manufacturing of the .NET Speech SDK, and browser extensions for Pocket Internet Explorer.
- Expect a newly upgraded telematics software platform, Windows Automotive. This software will enable easy access to servers, networks and a wide range of Web services from your car.
And most of all, expect coverage on CodeGuru and Developer.com on these topics and their impacts.