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39 The Secrets of Sysvol
Windows Server 2008 has a new way to migrate Group Policies.

45 The Unified Communications Puzzle
ISVs look to fill in some of the pieces of Microsoft’s unified communications vision.

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Product Review
16 Lock the Door
WinMagic SecureDoc’s full-disk encryption provides easy-to-use security for laptops and remote users.

Reader Review
20 Big Efficiencies for Big Environments
SCCM 2007’s new maintenance, configurationtracking and updated reporting features make it a must-have for large Windows sites.

Head-to-Head
26 Automation Nation
IT workflow-automation products could be the key to accelerating your day-to-day IT tasks and helping you build IT processes.

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Cover Story: Flying Solo

As his boss Bill Gates departs, Ozzie takes Microsoft’s online strategy into the cloud.
By Ed Scannell

He is finally flying solo. While departing Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates handed over the chief software architect title a full two years ago, Ray Ozzie now grips the controls of Microsoft’s flight into the icy altitudes of cloud computing without a backseat co-pilot. The flight promises to be adventurous—full of the usual pockets of turbulence Microsoft hits when venturing into new markets— but it’s one Ozzie seems ready to take.

Since he has been the chief software architect, Ozzie’s impact on the world’s largest software development organization has been significant. He has served as the prime mover in shaping Microsoft’s Software plus Services (S+S) initiative. He has also fostered a more enlightened attitude about Microsoft’s once bellicose approach to open source. That’s no easy task for a Microsoft “outsider” to accomplish in a relatively short period of time.

However, the hardest days of achieving meaningful success in the online market still lie ahead for Ozzie. He’ll have to continue evolving Microsoft’s online server-based products and strategies to remain competitive with the likes of Salesforce.com Inc. and the raft of more traditional competitors such as IBM Corp. and Oracle Corp.

At the same time, he’s playing a game of catch-up against Google Inc. and its online disciples on the consumer side.

Microsoft first thought it could dramatically close the gaping lead Google has with one fell swoop by trying to acquire, and then hostilely take over, Yahoo! Inc. That maneuver was designed to better fill out the “Services” side of the company’s S+S equation.

“They looked at Yahoo! and said, ‘We have the software and they have the services. Put them together like peanut butter and chocolate and we have the best treat on the market,’” says Dana Gardner, principal analyst with Interarbor Solutions Inc. in Gilford, N.H.“Well, that didn’t work, so now they have to come up with things like services and search technology— but do it in a way that doesn’t drive people into the arms of Google.” ...

Read Redmond Magazine, July 2008 Online

Redmond Analysis:
How Large Will Windows Live Live?
Microsoft's Brian Hall looks to better integrate the Windows Live online strategy.
By Ed Scannell

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