Microsoft launches long-awaited update

SAN FRANCISCO–After a number of delays, Microsoft on Monday launched long-awaited updates to its flagship database programs and developer tools.

CEO Steve Ballmer officially launched SQL Server 2005 and Visual Studio 2005, along with a new beta version of the company’s BizTalk Server software, at an event at the Moscone West convention center here.

Ballmer said that the new versions represent major advances, but acknowledged they were “a little bit long in coming.” It’s been five years, for example, since Microsoft released the last version of SQL Server.

“At least a little more rapid cycle time would be appropriate,” Ballmer said.

In addition to the standard products, Microsoft announced a free “express,” or stripped-down, version of SQL Server and a $49 express version of Visual Studio. Oracle last week said it was making a free, limited version of its database available.

“Our goal with this set of releases is to have something for everybody,” Ballmer said. “We haven’t forgotten the broadest set of developers we have, which are these Web developers, students and hobbyists.”

Full article: ZDNet News

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