http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice/READING/bo111695.htm (PC Press Internet CD, 03/1996)Microsoft(R) BackOffice News Electronic Newsletter
Vol. 1, #2, November 16, 1995
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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR
With the second issue of BackOffice News, our subscription
list is going up daily and we are striving to pull together useful
pointers to information and pieces of news that will
help you understand and work with Microsoft BackOffice
products.
This issue highlights the recently announced Designed for
Microsoft BackOffice Logo Program, which was developed to help
users easily identify hardware and software products designed
specifically to take advantage of BackOffice. Users can mix and match
hardware and software products designated with the Designed for
BackOffice Logo and be assured that they will work with the
appropriate BackOffice server application, with the goal of making
it easy to find applications and business solutions based on
Microsoft BackOffice applications.
As Windows 95 begins to rollout in companies and organizations,
there is good information available on how Microsoft BackOffice,
specifically Windows NT Server, SNA Server and Systems Management
Server integrate with Windows 95.
At Comdex this week there were a considerable amount of exciting
announcements from companies and our partners who are building software
products and solutions around Microsoft BackOffice and Windows NT.
We've captured some of these announcements and highlighted them
under "Headline News."
Since BackOffice News is in its infancy and we've had so many new
subscribers I've outlined below, once again, the general layout of
BackOffice News to make it easy to find what you're looking for.
A typical issue of BackOffice News will be organized as follows:
1. BACKOFFICE NEWS FLASH
Articles pertaining to key aspects of the Microsoft BackOffice
family including general product information, case studies,
technical information, and updates on strategic partnerships
with third parties.
2. INTERNET PRODUCTS *Special Feature*
For the next few months this section will focus on Microsoft's
upcoming Internet server products.
3. FROM OUR READERS
Comments and feedback from BackOffice News subscribers
4. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions on subscribing,
unsubscribing and telling your friends about BackOffice News
If you have comments, suggestions or general feedback on
this newsletter, we want to hear from you. Just send e-mail to us at:
backofficenews-feedback@microsoft.bhs.com. We may not be able
to respond to you individually, but we will be highlighting suggestions
in our "From Our Readers" section.
Read, surf and enjoy. And if you want to continue to receive
BackOffice News, please remember to subscribe. If BackOffice
News isn't right for you, please forward it to the appropriate
person in your company or organization.
Rob Bayuk
BackOffice News Editor
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Editor's Note: To meet our objective of keeping you informed,
we employ much of the same technology that will be discussed
in this newsletter. For example, Windows NT Server and SQL
Server provide a reliable foundation for the list server that manages
both Microsoft(R) BackOffice News and our sister publication
Microsoft(R) WinNT News. In addition, http://www.microsoft.com,
one of the busiest web servers in the world, is powered by
Windows NT Server.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. BACKOFFICE NEWS FLASH
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1.1 SUMMARIES WITH SHORTCUTS
1.11 MICROSOFT BACKOFFICE LOGO PROGRAM LAUNCHED
> First Products to Carry BackOffice Logo Featured at Comdex
1.12 Windows NT Server integration with Windows 95
> Highlights on how these two products work together
1.13 Systems Management Server 1.1
> The ideal deployment solution for Windows 95 and Office 95
1.14 Understanding how to license Microsoft server
products
> The basics, the details and a tool to help you understand
licensing of BackOffice products
1.15 SNA SERVER 2.11 REVIEWER'S GUIDE - ONLINE
> A complete resource for reviewing and evaluating SNA Server
1.16 UPDATED: WINDOWS NT 3.51 HARDWARE
COMPATIBILITY LIST
> October 1995 online and downloadable
1.17 BACKOFFICE NEWS AND WINNT NEWS ARCHIVES
> Where to find back issues?
1.2 HEADLINE NEWS
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1.21 Microsoft Acquires Interoperability Technology, Expertise
From Netwise Inc.
1.22 Windows NT Server Remote Access Service Wins Network
Computing review of Remote Servers
1.23 Saros Introduces Document Server built for BackOffice
1.24 Motorola to Integrate Paging and PowerPC Technologies
in AirPower Package
1.25 AT&T Wireless Services Brings Wireless Access to Microsoft
Exchange Server
1.26 AT& T Expands Enterprise Computing Management Tools
1.27 Palindrome Announces Backup for Microsoft Windows NT
2. INTERNET PRODUCTS *Special Feature*
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Watch the BackOffice Web site on Monday, November 20th!
3. FROM OUR READERS
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In this section we will spotlight feedback we receive from
our readers.
4. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION FAQ
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4.1 Why did I receive this newsletter, I've never subscribed to it?
4.2 I already filled out the survey, what next?
4.3 Someone forwarded me a copy of BackOffice News and I want to
keep receiving it?
4.4 How do I quit this list?
4.5 How do I change my address?
1. BACKOFFICE NEWS FLASH
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1.1 SUMMARIES WITH SHORTCUTS
1.11 MICROSOFT BACKOFFICE LOGO PROGRAM LAUNCHED
The BackOffice logo program is designed to provide customers
and solution providers with a seal which clearly identifies a
product has been tested and integrated with the Microsoft BackOffice
family of server products. Customers benefit from this integration with
BackOffice because they can buy off the shelf business applications
which easily plug in to their existing BackOffice infrastructure without
additional integration. Independent software vendors (ISVs) and
solutions developers (SDs) also benefit from integrating their products
with BackOffice because it enables them to easily add innovative
functionality to their products. If you are an ISV or SD you can
understand the requirements necessary to become a part of the
BackOffice Logo program by reviewing the below information.
For more information on the logo program, go to:
on the Web: http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice/Forum/logoprog.htm
on MSN: GO MSBACKOFFICE - BackOffice Partner Forum
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1.12 Windows NT Server integration with Windows 95
As you consider the Windows 95 opportunities, it is an ideal time
to explore moving beyond the capabilities of your current network
operating system, or install a new network, by choosing the Windows
NT Server operating system as the server for your network.
Windows NT Server is both an excellent file and print server and an
applications server. It is also widely used as an Internet platform, making
it easier for your Windows 95-based clients to access the Internet.
And, Windows NT Server is a powerful communications server.
Windows NT Server will bring out the best of Windows 95.
As a member of the Windows family, Windows NT Server was designed
to take advantage of the networking abilities of Windows 95.
Windows NT Server is a robust, multi-purpose network operating system
that offers high-performance file and print services, while providing the
infrastructure to run powerful client-server applications.
For details on the integration Windows 95 and Windows NT Server,
go to:
on the Web: http://www.microsoft.com/NTServer/ntbullet/nts95m1.htm
on MSN: GO MSNTS - Product Information/Overview BBS
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1.13 Systems Management Server 1.1
Microsoft(R) Systems Management Server version 1.1,which
provides centralized management for distributed systems. This
new version is an ideal deployment solution for customers
migrating to the Windows(R) 95 operating system and Microsoft
Office for Windows 95 by providing automated installations.
In addition, version 1.1 provides new features requested by
customers to provide easier operation, improved control of
distributed systems, and enhanced interoperability in heterogeneous
environments.
For the details on Systems Management Server, go to:
on the Web: http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice/win95_3.htm
on MSN: GO MSSYSMGMT - Product Information/Technical Resources
BBS
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1.14 Understanding how to license Microsoft server
products
Listening to customers we've learned that understanding the
licensing policies of Microsoft server products may be a bit
confusing. We've created a section on the Web and MSN sites
that provide the basic information you need to know, details
on licensing our server products including pricing and part numbers,
and a tool that helps you calculate how many licenses you need
based on your individual situation.
Check out the Licensing section:
on the Web: http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice go to
"Licensing" off the home page
on MSN: GO MSBKOFFICE go to Product Information/Licensing &
Support BBS
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1.15 UPDATED: WINDOWS NT 3.51 HARDWARE
COMPATIBILITY LIST
The most comprehensive listing of computers and peripherals
that have been tested and have passed compatibility testing for
Windows NT 3.51 as of October, 1995.
The complete list is online and downloadable:
on the Web: http://www.microsoft.com/NTServer/HCL/hclintro.htm
on MSN: GO MSNTS - Product Information/Technical Resources
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1.16 BACKOFFICE NEWS AND WINNT NEWS ARCHIVES
To make back issues of these newsletters easy to find, we're
archiving all previous issues of BackOffice News and our sister
newsletter WinNT News, so you can reference past features or
news information.
You'll find these in the BackOffice Reading Room:
on the Web: http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice/Reading/rr00000.htm
on MSN: GO MSBACKOFFICE - BackOffice Reading Room
1.2 HEADLINE NEWS
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1.21 Microsoft Acquires Interoperability Technology,
Expertise From Netwise Inc.
To meet the growing needs of customers deploying
Microsoft BackOffice servers in the enterprise, Microsoft Corp.
announced it has acquired the assets and expertise of Netwise Inc.,
a Boulder, Colo.-based firm that specializes in application and data
interoperability solutions. Netwise products provide high-performance
middleware for integrating mainframe and client-server environments.
In response to customer demand, Microsoft plans to integrate the
Netwise TransAccess technology with its Microsoft SQL Server database
management system, Microsoft Visual Tools products, and OLE
technologies.
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1.22 Windows NT Server Remote Access Service Wins
Network Computing review of Remote Servers
In the November 1 issue of Network Computing, which includes
a Remote Servers review (page 64). Microsoft Windows NT Server
Remote Access Server was rated the highest over Novell NetWare
Connect, IBM LAN Distance, Stampede Remote Office, Funk Software
WanderLink, and TechSmith EW Foray. Although performance is
important, it is clear in the article that ease of use, ease of
configuration and manageability played a key role. The article states:
"..it performed well, but compared with other remote access servers
we tested, RAS was by far the easiest to install, configure and manage"
"Adding RAS support to a Windows95 client is as easy as
falling off a log. With Windows95 TAPI support, adding a dial-up
networking connection is only a few mouse clicks away."
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1.23 SAROS INTRODUCES DOCUMENT SERVER BUILT
FOR MICROSOFT BACKOFFICE
Saros Document Server for BackOffice provides out-of-the-box
enterprise document management for customers committed to
Microsoft BackOffice server platform.
Saros Corporation recently introduced Saros Document Server for
BackOffice, a special version of its Mezzanine enterprise library
services (ELS) software designed expressly for the Microsoft
BackOffice family of server products. Saros Document Server takes
advantage of the full power of Microsoft BackOffice to create an
enterprise-wide electronic information library. Users benefit from
network-wide Smart Search, check-in/check-out, version control,
object-level security and more.
Saros Document Server for BackOffice allows people to work
together effectively even if they are scattered throughout an office or
distributed across an entire organization. Information in any form is
at everyone's disposal in an environment that provides total
manageability and security.
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1.24 MOTOROLA TO INTEGRATE PAGING AND POWERPC
TECHNOLOGIES IN AIRPOWER PACKAGE
Motorola will announce it will provide the AirPower package, the
first complete wireless messaging solution uniting Motorola's core
competencies in paging, communications, network server and
microprocessor technologies. Designed for one-way and two-way
paging, AirPower - Wireless in a Box - allows users on a local area
network to send and receive text and numeric pages by interacting
with the millions of existing paging subscribers. AirPower will
provide mobile professionals with untethered access to e-mail and
file updates from remote servers using low-cost, secure, reliable
Motorola paging technology.
Motorola demonstrated the AirPower package at COMDEX .
The AirPower solution provides `one-stop shopping' for wireless
communication, integrating Motorola's award-winning Air Apparent
for the Microsoft Windows NT operating system, a PowerStack
PowerPC server and Premier Edition modems with the
Windows NT Server network operating system version 3.51.
Once connected to an existing LAN and telephone system,
AirPower supports a variety of clients, like the Windows 95 and
Windows 3.1 operating systems, when using popular electronic
mail applications.
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1.25 AT & T WIRELESS SERVICES BRINGS WIRELESS
ACCESS TO MICROSOFT EXCHANGE SERVER
The Wireless Data Division of AT & T Wireless Services
recently announced a demonstration of CDPD connectivity
with Microsoft Exchange Server. A demonstration featuring
remote access to Microsoft Exchange Server via AT & T Wireless
Packet Data Service was shown this week at Comdex.
Microsoft Exchange Server is ideal for use over CDPD networks
because it provides users with the following wireless messaging
features:
-- allows mobile users to preview headers and message size to
determine which messages they want to download
-- gives users filtering capabilities- with Microsoft Exchange
Server users can restrict the size of messages to be downloaded
or specify that no attachments be sent via wireless communication
-- offers users the ability to group messages by type, subject or
topic
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1.26 AT&T EXPANDS ENTERPRISE COMPUTING MANAGEMENT TOOLS
Ports UNIX-based Applications to Microsoft Windows NT Server
AT&T Global Information Solutions recently announced the availability
of key enterprise management applications on Microsoft Windows NT Server,
accelerating its leadership in helping customers manage complex,
enterprise computing environments across platforms.
Following its Windows NT Server roadmap laid out 14 months ago,
AT&T is now offering a portfolio of server, network and systems management
tools that MIS managers require for a robust and reliable distributed
enterprise computing environment.
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1.27 PALINDROME ANNOUNCES BACKUP FOR MICROSOFT WINDOWS NT
Backup Director 4.0 - Windows NT Edition Sets New Standards for
Automation, Fault-Tolerance and Compatibility
Palindrome Corporation, a Seagate software company and a leader
in data protection and management software for networks, announced
recently the immediate availability of Backup DirectorTM 4.0 -
Windows NT Edition for IS managers and network administrators
who are adopting or transitioning to the Microsoft Windows NT
operating system and want the most automated, fault-tolerant and
compatible backup software for their networks.
Current backup software is considered to be incomplete by many
managers of Windows NT networks who cite lack of automation,
limited media management and unintelligent data recovery as major
shortcomings in existing solutions. These managers are looking for a
backup solution better matched to the inherent power of their
Windows NT servers and more capable of securing corporate data in
dedicated Windows NT and mixed environments.
2. INTERNET PRODUCTS *Special Feature*
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Watch the BackOffice Web site on Monday, November 20th!
http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice
3. FROM OUR READERS
-----------------------------------
Below is a question submitted by a BackOffice News
reader that may be of interest to other subscribers.
Q: "When and where will the next Microsoft Tech-Ed be?
What is the phone number to call for registration?"
A: Tech-Ed, a comprehensive week of technical training
and education covering Microsoft products will be held
in Los Angeles, CA April 15-19. Registration won't open
until December. Watch future BackOffice News issues for details.
Please send feedback, comments and suggestions as to what you
would like to see covered in this newsletter to:
backofficenews-feedback@microsoft.bhs.com
4. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMARTION FAQ
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FAQ on subscribing, unsubscribing and telling your friends
about BackOffice News:
4.1
Q: WHY DID I RECEIVE THIS NEWSLETTER, I'VE NEVER
SUBSCRIBED TO IT?
A: The BackOffice Team has sent this newsletter to customers
and organizations, user groups interested in Windows NT, including
the subscribers of our sister newsletter WinNT News. We plan to
mail the first two issues of BackOffice News to this group and we
encourage you to subscribe if the information looks useful to you
or send us feedback on how we might make this newsletter better
meet your needs, as a person interested in Microsoft networking
and server technology.
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4.2
Q: I ALREADY FILLED OUT THE SURVEY ON THE WEB OR
VIA E-MAIL, WHAT NEXT?
A: Once you've filled out the questionnaire, we'll automatically
send BackOffice News to you twice a month.
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4.3
Q: SOMEONE FORWARDED ME A COPY OF BACKOFFICE
NEWS, I LIKE IT AND I WANT TO KEEP RECEIVING IT?
A: To subscribe via the web or e-mail:
on the Web:
http://www.bhs.com/microsoft.backofficenews/
and fill out the form there.
OR
fill out the survey at the end of this newsletter, and send it
to:
backofficenews-questionnaire@microsoft.bhs.com
OR
send the command
subscribe backofficenews
as the first line of your message to
backofficenews-admin@microsoft.bhs.com
you'll receive the survey back in the mail that you'll need
to return.
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4.4
Q: HOW DO I QUIT THIS LIST?
A: Send the command
unsubscribe backofficenews
as the first line of your message to
backofficenews-admin@microsoft.bhs.com
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4.5
Q: HOW DO I CHANGE MY ADDRESS?
A: On the web: http://www.bhs.com/microsoft/change.address
OR
send the command
unsubscribe backofficenews <your old email address>
as the first line of your message to
backofficenews-admin@microsoft.bhs.com
then subscribe again under your new address.
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IF YOU HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING
FOR IN THIS NEWSLETTER, STOP BY ONE OF OUR ONLINE SITES:
On the World Wide Web point your browser to:
http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice
On the Microsoft Network (MSN):
Categories/Computers&Software/
Computer Companies & Organizations/
Software Companies/Microsoft
OR
GO MSBACKOFFICE
#################################################################
This document is provided for informational purposes only. The
information contained in this document represents the current
view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of the
date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to change in
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commitment on the part of Microsoft and Microsoft cannot
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- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Sent to you via Microsoft Exchange ...
Rob Bayuk
robba@microsoft.com
http://www.microsoft.com/BackOffice
MSN - GO MSBACKOFFICE