Microsoft Flexes Global Alliances to Deliver New Server Line

In helping customers who are  budget conscious to reduce IT expenditures and be more competitive on the global stage, Microsoft Malaysia has announced the general availability of Windows Small Business Server 2008 (SBS 2008) and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 (EBS 2008). The launch is part of Microsoft Corporation’s USD 6.5 billion annual investment in products, support programs and incentives for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs).

These solutions bring the power of Microsoft’s enterprise-class server technologies to SMBs in a way that these companies can best utilize them. Large businesses traditionally will have the budgets to equip themselves with a roster of specialists with the technical knowledge to manage IT environments – a luxury that SMBs can rarely afford.

“Globally, SMBs are the engines for economic growth and opportunity. Our SMBs, likening their larger counterparts, are facing tough challenges brought forth by the widespread uncertainty in the world market,” said Ramesh Rajandran, Product Marketing Manager, Infrastructure Servers, Microsoft Malaysia.

Mr. Vincent Lee, Country Business Manager, Industry Standard Servers, Technology Solutions Group, HP Malaysia, said, “HP is proud to be one of the key technology enablers of Microsoft to provide SMBs with optimized hardware configurations. Together we will ensure superior customer satisfaction when installing, running and maintaining the SBS 2008 and EBS 2008.”

Microsoft’s partners like HP, Dell and IBM are offering a broad choice of solutions for the new server line. In addition, HP, IBM and Intel Corporation have also designed and priced blade servers specifically for midsize customers. Combined with EBS 2008, these blade servers will give customers an affordable and scalable infrastructure solution that is quick to set up and easy to maintain.

Lee continued, “SMB customers are constantly searching for ways to stay at the technology forefront without having to make hefty IT investments. Being able to share our insights with Microsoft in the development of their new server solutions was an excellent opportunity for us to adequately address the needs of SMBs.”

Many independent software vendors (ISVs) are also supporting SBS 2008 and EBS 2008, across a wide variety of applications such as backup and recovery, security, business management, systems management, line-of-business applications, and more. In addition, SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 will run virtually any applications certified on Windows Server 2008.

Elaborating on the new products, Mr. Rajandran pointed out,” the Small Business Server 2008 is an upgrade to Microsoft’s Small Business Server 2003, whereby, it comes with standard & premium edition. The standard edition is enhanced by Windows Server 2008 & Windows Sharepoint Service 3.0…the premium edition comes with all the tools that is available in the standard edition plus an additional SQLServer 2008…”. Designed for companies with up to 75 users or PCs, SBS 2008 is an integrated server solution created to help businesses keep their data more secure and make their company more productive. 

Essential Business Server 2008 is a new software in Windows Essential Server solution that comes with a complete set of features in Small Business Server 2008 plus an additional database. EBS 2008 is designed for businesses with up to 300 users or PCs, and allows IT managers to have more control over their environment by reducing complexity and automating common tasks. With support for Windows Mobile phones, SBS 2008 and EBS 2008 can significantly help boost productivity with access to business e-mail, calendar, contacts and files when away from the office.

For more information about these new Microsoft solutions, and a whole range of other products, including detailed feature lists, please visit, http://www.secureandreliable.com.my/Home.aspx.

NCBM Introduces ‘SAVE AS DAISY XML’ For MICROSOFT WORD

In stepping up its effort to create improvements for the blind and to promote digital access information that ables to convert various forms of communication that is practical and useful, The National Council for the Blind, Malaysia (NCBM) has presented a new software that will allow anyone to create documents with content that can be accessible by Malaysians with assistive needs. The function known as the ‘Save As DAISY XML’ add-in, designed for Microsoft Word 2007, Word 2003 and Word XP, which will allow users to save Open XML-based text files into DAISY XML – the foundation of the globally accepted DAISY standard for reading and publishing navigable multimedia content.

The new ‘Save As DAISY XML’ functionality for Microsoft Word has the potential to break down barriers for individuals with assistive needs and enhance the experience for anyone who wants to read, not only materials created locally but also on a global level,” added Dr. Dzahar Mansor, Microsoft Malaysia’s National Technology Officer.

Microsoft’s initiative to put ‘Save As DAISY XML’ in Microsoft Word is the first step to bring fully accessible content to people with assistive needs. With much of the information on documents today being created with Microsoft Word – the new add-in provides a historic leap forward in the nationwide effort to make information available to all. The effort is part of Microsoft’s Unlimited Potential initiative to help bridge the digital divide by creating more programmes that will help the community, transform education and support partnerships through technology.

The ‘Save As DAISY XML’ tool also presents the opportunity for organisations and independent software vendors to explore ways in which the technology may be used to format their information to be accessed by people with assistive needs. Meanwhile, Dato’ S. Kulasegaran, President of NCBM pointed out, “with the new add-in tool introduced, it manage to close the gap to create an equal level playing field through ICT and also to bridge digital divide by making it available to everyone”. Also present at the event was, Iriani Zulkifli, Community Affairs Manager, Microsoft Malaysia.

The event also included a demonstration on the usage of the ‘Save As DAISY XML’ feature by Moses Choo, Assistant Executive Director of Blind Professional Assistance Service (BPAS), a section of the NCBM.

For more information on the ‘Save as DAISY XML’ tool, please visit the NCBM website on www.ncbm.org.my.

MICROSOFT TECH.ED SEA 2008: 3,000 Developers and IT Pros From 41 Countries Converge

Microsoft has chosen Kuala Lumpur as one of its most strategic information and innovation hub to host the largest annual conference Tech.Ed Southeast Asia 2008, for some 3,000 technopreneurs, IT administrators, software developers, and software developers, and software architects from 41 countries throughout the region.

Dubbed as one of the most anticipated ICT events in Malaysia, the Tech.Ed SEA 2008 which is held at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre from August 11 to 14 2008, the highly acclaimed ICT conference was officiated by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Datuk Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili.

This year’s Tech.Ed themed “Be a part of the experience” is aimed to to help developers build state-of-the art software solutions and help IT professionals to develop more architected, customized and connected IT infrastructure environments- equipping developers and IT pros for their part of the experience in driving businesses forward.

Speaking at the press conference, Vice President of Microsoft Asia Pacific, Mr. Saw Ken Wye said “Tech.Ed is certainly one of the biggest initiatives that reflects Microsoft’s continued commitment to growing the Malaysian software economy”.

Meanwhile, Dato’ Badlisham Ghazali, Chief Executive Officer, Multimedia Development Corporation of Malaysia, voiced with enthusiasm “knowledge and expertise in the current technology solutions are key factors that make IT professionals and developers relevant to the marketplace and information-rich conferences such as Tech.Ed SEA 2008 are much needed to cater to the education and awareness of the latest computing practices and technologies in the industry”. Dato’ Badlisham also added, MSC Malaysia is now home to over 2,000 local and multi-national technology companies involved in the various ICT sectors, while, there are 1177 knowledge workers supporting over 319 MSC Malaysia software companies (generated RM2.97 billion revenue in 2006) which are actively running on the Microsoft platform.

In conjunction with the Tech.Ed SEA 2008 conference, Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC) and Microsoft Malaysia also jointly released the Malaysian Software Catalogue. The Catalogue highlights the lists of local Independent Software Vendors that have made quality mark in the areas of marketing capability, sales potentials and technical competency. Forty eight local Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) have made it to this initial list, of which Twenty Two are MSC Malaysia Status companies.

The collaborative initiative is aimed at spurring the growth and quality of Malaysian ISVs and their products by enhancing them with industry-class capabilities, with a focus on nurturing technical competencies and stimulating creative innovation. Also present at the Tech.Ed SEA 2008 were, Yasmin Mahmood, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, Mr. Tyson Dowd, Senior Director of Malaysian Software Economy at Microsoft Malaysia and Mr. Wald Raldston, Group Technical Product Manager, Microsoft Corp.

For more information on Tech.Ed conference, visit http://www.microsoft.com/malaysia/techedsea2008

PIKOM & Microsoft Malaysia Initiative to Reduce the Price of Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007

In its aim in enhancing employability and relevance of graduating students for the future workforce through learning applicable IT skills, Microsoft Malaysia has offered Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 to all Malaysians at an affordable price of RM199 per copy, between August 1 and September 31, 2008. The suite is available at all authorised dealers or software retailers.

Retails at RM499 by all Microsoft channel partners and all official retailers across the nation, the suite will still be available at a permanent discounted price of RM279.

Meanwhile, Yasmin Mahmood, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia, said,”The price reduction is part of the company’s painstaking effort to decrease the “digital divide” among Malaysians, and Microsoft Malaysia is taking initiative to achieve its goal”.

Also present at the launch was Mr. C. J Ang, President of Pikom, echoed Yasmin’s sentiment by adding “The price reduction of Office Home and Student 2007, is timely and brings the benefits of accessible genuine software to the Rakyat (Malaysians)”.

Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 consists of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and a “digital notepad” application called OneNote ( which allows users to draw freehand, and enables to embed pictures, audio and video into their notes).

For more information, visit www.microsoft.com.my/office

Microsoft Malaysia Introduces Its TECH.ED South East Asia 2008 To Benefit ICT Industry

Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd, a subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation will organise its premier and largest annual conference of technology education, namely TECH.ED South East Asia 2008, featuring 14 technical tracks and 100 breakout sessions from August 11-14, 2008 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Dubbed as the premier IT gathering that involve thousands of IT professionals and developers, architects, technical decision makers, Microsoft’s team members and major IT industry gurus, TECH.ED SEA 2008 has secured endorsement from MATRADE (Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation) and the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC), to provide participating TECH.Ed exhibitors eligibility to apply for refund from MATRADE (terms & conditions apply). As for, employers who registered with HRDC will be entitled to Human Resource Development Fund (HRDF) to reduce operational costs, while allowing their employees to enhance their IT knowledge and skills.

There is also a “Friend Bring Friend” promotion, where participants can earn earn a rebate of RM300 off their conference fees when they introduce a minimum of three friends to register with TECH.ED SEA Conference 2008.

Meanwhile, Senior Director of Malaysia Software Economy, Microsoft Malaysia, Mr. Tyson Dowd said, “This year, Microsoft Malaysia is making TECH.ED more accessible to participants, with increased number of tracks for more in-depth exposure into featured technologies and current issues as well as various promotional programmes.

In line with this year’s themed “Be A Part of the Experience”, participants will learn how to evaluate products both from Microsoft and 250 of its most important IT industry partners, to facilitate their software application needs as well as to deal with the latest tools and technologies, current releases and future plans to adopt, migrate and deploy, also be a part of the learning process, part of the IT community and the career growth potential.

Some of the tracks TECH.ED SEA 2008 will be offering include IT Architecture, Developer Tools & Languages, SOA & Business Processes, Web & User Experience, Windows Client, Mobile, Server Infrastructure, Frameworks & Embedded, Unified Communications, Management and Security.

To register and learn more about TECH.ED SEA 2008, visit http://www.microsoft.com/malaysia/techedsea2008

INTEL Capital Makes RM50 million Investment in Green Packet to Advance WIMAX

INTEL Corporation’s venture capital arm, Intel Capital, has made an official announcement that it has invested RM50 million in local wireless broadband services provider Green Packet Berhad (GPacket) via a subscription of convertible bonds.

President of Intel Capital, Mr. Arvind Sodhani said, ” Intel is committed to the deployment of WiMAX globally with more than 280 fixed and mobile WiMAX trials and commercial deployments in 110 countries”. The confirmation of Intel investment in GPacket, marks a significant milestone for Malaysia and WiMax industry as it represents the first large-scale commercial deployment of WiMAX in Southeast Asia, and the first large-scale deployment of an 802.16e 2.3GHz WiMAX network outside Korea.

GPacket Bhd, which has earmarked RM700 million for expansions over the next three years, was one of the winners of the four WiMAX licences awarded by the Malaysian government early this year. GPacket group managing director/ CEO Mr. Puan Chan Cheong said assuming Intel Capital exercises all the convertible bonds into equity at RM2.80 per piece, the latter will own a 6.32% stake in GPacket Bhd (a Mesdaq-listed company) by the end of third quarter.

Also present in the event, held in conjunction with the World Congress on Information Technology 2008, was Intel Corp Chairman Datuk Dr. Craig Barrett.

Bridging the Digital Divide: ‘Projek’ M.A.IN. PC

The Association of Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (PIKOM) has officially launched Projek Menguasai Aplikasi INternet dan PC ( Projek M.A.IN. PC), a joint collaboration between PIKOM and seven supporting partners to set up serviced Community PC Centres nationwide. This project is a part of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project participated by 7 companies to serve the under-privilege communities, by enabling and equipped them with ICT capabilities to realise the country’s goal of building an ICT-enabled knowledge society.

Projek M.A.IN. PC will aim to provide a platform to support PC centres nationwide via a Facilitator-Partner-Host (F-P-H) model. PIKOM as facilitator has engaged 7 different partners to provide the necessary equipment and supporting related-services to accommodate ‘host’ PC centres. This project is targeted at the middle to lower income groups.

Led by PIKOM, the project includes Microsoft, LIONS CLUB, CyberCare, Hewlett-Packard (HP), INTEL, TELEKOM MALAYSIA (TM) and CUSCAPI with the support of the Malaysia’s Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation and the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development.

PIKOM is aiming to establish 20 to 30 Community PC centres, equipped with instructors by year end, and currently, through the Ministry of Rural and Regional Development, the project will start with the conversion of 10 Economy Planning Unit (EPU) telecentres into Community PC Centres. As a result of this conversion, the lower income group which do not own personal computer will benefit this CSR project.

According to Mr. Wong Nan Fay, Chairman of PIKOM, ” PROJEK M.A.IN. PC’s long term goal is to create 150 new PC centres as well as intergrate 1945 existing EPU telecentres by 2010, whereby this project aims to enhance duration of PC usage and to recruit new PC users by 2010″.

The M.A.IN. PC project will commence in May 2008 and each participating partner has a role to play, like, Microsoft will conduct software applications through its current curriculum ICT project, while hardware and network support will come from Hewlett-Packard, CyberCare will provide life coaches, with volunteer human resource from LIONS CLUB, Telekom Malaysia will provide broadband facilities and the set up of toll-free call centre and Cuscapi will be carrying out installation, maintenance services plus technical support. Curriculum development will be overseen by Microsoft, CyberCare Centre and Intel. Contribution towards the M.A.IN. PC project via funding will be shared by Microsoft, HP and INTEL.

Meanwhile, Yasmin Mahmood, Managing Director of Microsoft, expressed confidently that PIKOM has come out with a meaningful project by bridging digital divide for community by enabling IT learners to apply computer knowledge as a lifelong skills, in order to create new leaders by using this holistic approach.

MIMOS and Microsoft Malaysia Collaborate to Create an Innovation Ecosystem

Microsoft Malaysia and MIMOS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop and establish a Microsoft Innovation Centre (MIC) at MIMOS located at Technology Park Malaysia.

The two companies signed the MOU at the World Congress on Information Technology 2008 (WCIT2008) for the collaboration which aims to boost local research and development (R&D) and intellectual property. The MOU between Microsoft Malaysia and MIMOS was one of five deals signed, with total value worth to be over US$1.65 billion.

As a result of this MOU signing, Microsoft Malaysia would provide software, tools and access to understand, local as well as abroad to accelerate and serve as a catalyst in innovation. In line with the Microsoft’s aspiration to play an active role in creating an active role in creating an ICT ecosystem concept, Yasmin Mahmood, Managing Director of Microsoft Malaysia said the partnership with MIMOS, will create an environment that encourages innovation and growth on the ‘ innovation ecosystem ‘. MIMOS will provide the physical infrastructure and human capital for the MIC to develop technologies based on applied research.

Meanwhile, Dato’ Abdul Wahab Abdullah, President and CEO of MIMOS said, “the collaboration with Microsoft is a huge boost to MIMOS’ infrastructure and it is the key factor in bringing ideas to life and with the combined capabilities and resources, the MIC will be the driver in making ideas happen”. MIMOS is certainly confident that the MIC will be gateway to accelerating innovation ecosystem.

It is estimated that Microsoft Malaysia has invested more than RM200 million to nurture and further grow Malaysia’s local software economy with continued annual investments of some RM26 million. Microsoft Malaysia’s partner ecosystem currently comprise about 5,000 solution providers, 800 of which are independent software vendors (ISVs).

According to International Data Corp’s (IDC) Economic IMpact Study 2007 report, ” Microsoft-related employment is expected to be 44% of total IT employment and Microsoft ecosystem is expected to generate revenues of more than RM6.4 billion in 2008″.