Microsoft officials weren;t kidding when they said they were functioning on the services complement to just about every one of the enterprise;s software goods. The most recent to obtain a Software+Services (S+S) makeover: Technique Middle.
System Middle is Microsoft;s uber-brand for its systems-management software program and encompasses everything from Redmond;s virtual-machine-manager technologies, to its Operations Manager item.Microsoft officials launched on September 28 a brand new Program Middle Over the internet blog, having a tag line proclaiming, “Delivering world-class management software via companies.” In the first post on the new site,
Office 2007 Ultimate, the “AIS Team” blogged about Microsoft;s testing of its new asset-inventory service (AIS), which is based on technology Microsoft acquired when it purchased AssetMetrix.“Asset Inventory Service is a hosted service that allows you to download a small client and install it on your PCs, upon which the client will register and report the software inventory of that PC to a web-based service. The service compares the list with the AIS central software title catalog, rationalizes the publisher, names and version numbers, and categorizes the software program in your report. You (and your designee’s) can then securely access the reports through a simple-to-use webpage after providing proper credentials. You can use these reports to simply count your installations, prepare for your next round of procurement, or check the successful deployment of applications,
Office 2010 Discount,” according to the post. “In the future, you will also be able to compare this information to your Microsoft software licenses and automatically build your license reconciliation reports.”The service is available to selected testers in beta form. A Community Technologies Preview (CTP) test build is available only to Software Assurance customers who have purchased the Microsoft Desktop Optimization Pack (MDOP). The final release with the service will be later this year,
Office Pro 2010, according to the AIS team.I can see why Microsoft would like to keep tabs on which customers aren;t “trued-up” with their licenses,
Microsoft Office Standard 2007, but I;m not so sure that many customers will be willing for Microsoft to store information about not just Microsoft licenses, but third-party ones,
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007, as well — even if Microsoft attests that the license counts are secure.