Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Launch Guide

Do more with less. 1

Contents

Introduction 2

Introducing Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 4

Windows Server 2003 Case Studies 10

Introducing Microsoft® Visual Studio® .NET 2003 26

Visual Studio .NET 2003 Case Studies 41

Australian .NET Connected Partners 47

Microsoft® SQL Server™ 52

Microsoft Exchange Server 53

Windows Server 2003 and Visual Studio .NET 2003 Launch Sponsors 55 Platform Partner 56 Platinum Sponsors 61 Gold Sponsors 81 Silver Sponsors 96 Australian Windows Server 2003 JDP 100

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners 102

2 3

Welcome to the launch of Windows Server 2003! This is an exciting time for In my ten or more years in the Australian developer community, the combination

Microsoft, our partners and customers, as this is unquestionably the most of Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Visual Studio® .NET 2003 is

customer-focused Windows Server release yet. The reality of today’s IT environment the most exciting launch I have ever been involved with. Last February, Microsoft

is the demand to do more with technology and, at the same time, do it with reset the bar for innovation and productivity with a new development paradigm for

less cost. Over the last two years, we have spent time with customers using building Web Services and applications – Visual Studio .NET. This year, we build

Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Server and Windows NT® Server 4.0 to really on that momentum by offering an entire development platform for the building

understand what it would take to enable them do a lot more with Windows Server and execution of those applications. Visual Studio .NET 2003, complemented

2003 and enable them to do it faster, with lower costs and with less hassle. by Windows Server 2003, enables developers to more easily create business

We integrated functionality across the product to make it simpler and more efficient solutions that meet today’s business demands with regards to security, reliability,

to do things like build new applications, secure networks and manage system scalability and accessibility. With the addition of UDDI and the Windows .NET

resources. Windows Server 2003 is also providing more performance across key Framework, as well as the enhancements to existing services such as COM+,

workloads such as database, Web, file sharing and directory – up to twice as fast IIS and MSMQ, Windows Server 2003 has become the application platform of

on the same hardware. All of these improvements will enable you to get a lot more choice for the applications of tomorrow.

value out of your IT investments. Now, one year after its introduction, Microsoft has made the best even better

Microsoft’s commitment to security and the Trustworthy Computing initiative with Visual Studio .NET 2003, by offering developers an increased flexibility in

focused on improving your experience by increasing the security, reliability and programming languages with the Java language tool, Microsoft® Visual J#™ .NET,

privacy of Microsoft products. And as Windows Server 2003 was designed and built improved standards compliance in both Visual C#™ .NET and Visual C++® .NET

with enhanced security as a top priority, it will be the most secure Windows Server (all of which now offer Rapid Application Development designers), a number of

release yet, giving you peace of mind. features designed to ease the transition to .NET from earlier versions of Visual

Basic® and from the Java platform and a revolutionary leap in Mobile Development But you cannot have security without reliability – and we know there’s not even a with Smart Device Extensions. discussion with our customers if we haven’t covered off these core requirements.

In fact, the improvements we’ve made in these areas are great reasons to choose The future has never looked brighter for the Microsoft developer and I invite you to

Windows Server 2003. What will really excite you are the enhancements we’ve made join me in celebrating the release of Visual Studio .NET and Windows Server 2003.

that allow you to achieve cost reductions via server consolidation, faster application

development, better performance and easier management. These are all features

that will deliver greater return on IT investments. We’re already seeing early adopter Nick Abbott customers report 30 percent or more savings from moving to Windows Server 2003. Group Program Manager Developer Division Organisations can now realise significant advantages and immediate benefits in

security, reliability and productivity – all of which drive a very real and demonstrable

value to the bottom line.

Enjoy the day!

Michael Leworthy

Windows Server Product Manager

5

Introducing Windows Server 2003. Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Do more with less.

Customer implementations in some of the most requirement- At the cornerstone is native mode Microsoft .NET functionality

intensive business and government information technology through the Windows .NET Framework and standards-based

environments, in every corner of the globe, established technologies, which will enable businesses to easily and

Microsoft Windows 2000 Server as the clear business value seamlessly connect information, people, systems and devices.

leader among server computing platforms. Indeed, International Windows Server 2003 is, to be sure, the foundation enabling an

Data Corporation calculated that, worldwide, more than unprecedented level of software integration through the use of

60 percent of all servers shipped were shipped with Windows Web services.

Server-family systems – a number growing at double-digit rate By building on the solid foundation of Windows 2000 Server, the for the previous several years. Windows Server 2003 operating system enables businesses to

Following on this legacy, the Microsoft Windows Server retain and even increase the value of their existing IT investments

2003 family is destined to demonstrate even higher levels while lowering overall computing costs. Windows Server 2003

of dependability, performance and connectivity, with is a great choice for companies that haven’t yet upgraded from

unprecedented price/performance value. Microsoft has Windows NT Server 4.0. Upgrading to the Windows Server 2003

factored the considerable feedback of customers and third-party family brings the advantage of cutting-edge performance and

partners, as well as the independent testing of thousands reliability and it interoperates well with earlier Windows-based

of individuals, into the disciplined engineering development server computers and domains, so an incremental upgrade plan

of the Windows Server 2003 family. is a secure option.

Benefi t Description

Dependable Windows Server 2003 is the fastest, most reliable, most secure Windows Server operating system ever offered, delivering dependability by:

 Providing an integrated infrastructure that helps you ensure your business information is secure.

 Providing reliability, availability and scalability so that you can provide the network infrastructure that users demand. Productive Windows Server 2003 provides the tools that enable you to deploy, manage and use your network infrastructure for maximum productivity by:

 Providing fl exible tools that help match your design and deployment to your organisational and network needs.

 Helping you manage your network proactively by enforcing policy, automating tasks and simplifying updates.

 Helping you lower support overheads by enabling users do more on their own. Connected Windows Server 2003 can help you create the business solutions infrastructure to better connect employees, partners, systems and customers by:

 Providing an integrated Web server and streaming media server that helps you quickly, easily and securely create dynamic intranet and Internet Web sites.

 Providing an application server that helps you easily develop, deploy and manage Web Services and applications. Best Economics Windows Server 2003, when combined with products and services from Microsoft’s many hardware, software and channel partners, provides the choices that help you get the greatest return on your infrastructure investments by:

 Providing the tools that enable you to connect Web Services to internal applications, suppliers and partners.

 Providing ease-of-use and prescriptive guidance for complete solutions that enable you to quickly put technology to work.

 Helping you consolidate servers by taking advantage of the latest hardware, software and methodologies to optimise your server deployments.

 Lowering your total cost of ownership to realise a fast return on investment.

6 7

Built for Productivity Built for a Connected World (TCO). Thanks in part to the support of many Microsoft third-party Windows Server 2003, hardware and software partners, Windows Server 2003 helps Standard Edition Improve Employee Communication and Collaboration Securely Connect with Your Customers Across Your Business Today’s networks are connecting intranets, extranets and the users achieve the greatest return on server investments.

Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, and other members Web. More and more companies are using the Internet to Designed for small organisations and departmental use, of the Windows Server 2003 family share many features that communicate with their customers and partners every day. Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, delivers intelligent Windows Server 2003, help make your organisation and employees more productive. Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, and other members of Enterprise Edition Overview file and printer sharing, secure Internet connectivity, Windows Server 2003 enables greater productivity for both the Windows Server 2003 family share many features that help centralised desktop application deployment and Web solutions administrators and users through enhanced capabilities in your organisation and employees stay connected. Networking Designed for medium-sized to large businesses, Windows Server that connect employees, partners and customers. Windows system management and storage. improvements and new features in the Windows Server 2003 2003, Enterprise Edition, is the recommended operating system Server 2003, Standard Edition, also natively provides high family extend the versatility, manageability and dependability of for servers running applications such as networking, messaging, levels of dependability, scalability and security. Microsoft has made great strides in evolving manageability. network infrastructures. Windows Server 2003 makes it easier inventory and customer service systems, databases and The new task-based design in Windows Server 2003 makes it Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, takes the best of than ever for users to stay connected to their centralised systems e-commerce Web sites. Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, easier to find and carry out common tasks. Improvements to Windows 2000 Server technology and makes it easier to from anywhere and on any device. Perhaps most important, delivers high reliability, performance and superior business value. the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) and Active Directory deploy, manage and use. The result: A highly productive though, with optimised, native support of Microsoft .NET and boost performance and make management easier. In addition, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, builds on the operating system that is secure, reliable and ready to use XML, Windows Server 2003 represents a revolutionary step the Windows Server 2003 family contains several important new functionality of Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, supporting ‘‘out of the box’’ with features that provide robust availability forward as the ideal platform to develop, distribute and host automated management tools including Microsoft Software Update high-performance servers and the ability to cluster servers together and scalability. Web Services created with .NET. Services (SUS) and server configuration wizards to help automate to handle larger loads and will be available in both 32-bit and 64- Built for Dependability deployment. Managing Group Policy is made easier with the Built for Best Economics bit versions. These capabilities provide reliability that lets you make Run Your Business on the Most Solid Server Operating System sure your systems are available regardless of a system failure or new Group Policy Management Console (GPMC), enabling more Maximise Business Value by Leveraging the Largest Partner Microsoft Has Ever Released how large an application becomes. organisations to better use Active Directory and take advantage Solution Ecosystem Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, improves on many of its powerful management features, and command-line tools let With PC technology providing the most cost-effective chip Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, also lets you increase technologies introduced in Windows 2000 Server, such as administrators perform most tasks from the command console. platform, simply being based on the PC provides a considerable server performance, scale and capacity by adding processors support for smart cards, bandwidth throttling and Plug and Windows Server 2003 also makes storage and backup easier economic incentive to adopt Windows Server 2003. But that and memory. Enhanced SMP support in Windows Server 2003, Play support. New technologies, such as the common language while significantly reducing the demands on system administrators. is only the beginning of the story that makes Windows Server Enterprise Edition, lets you scale to eight processors and increase runtime, strengthen security to help safeguard networks from Among the new and improved file services that allow this is Volume 2003 such a cost-efficient choice for both scale-up and scale- the memory available for server processing to as much as 32 GB malicious or poorly designed code. In addition, improvements Shadow Copy service, which provides point-in-time backups of out purposes. With multiple essential services and components of RAM in 32-bit editions and 64 GB of RAM in 64-bit editions. to Internet Information Services 6.0 (IIS 6.0), public key networked shares. This unique technology extends to users who already included in Windows Server 2003, organisations can infrastructure (PKI) and Kerberos make it easier to secure Today’s businesses expect technology to be a consistent enabler can now retrieve old copies of files or deleted files using the quickly benefit from an integrated platform that is easy to deploy, Windows Server 2003. The Microsoft® Active Directory® of business value. They want systems that are always up and Shadow Copy Restore feature right from their Windows desktop. manage and use. When you adopt Windows Server 2003, you service is now faster and more robust over unreliable wide always responsive and they demand a level of security able In addition, file and print services are improved with the inclusion become a part of the global network that has helped make the area network (WAN) connections, thanks to more efficient to meet today’s challenges. Windows Server 2003, Enterprise of the Web-based Distributed Authoring and Versioning (WebDAV) Windows platform so productive. This ecosystem of products synchronisation, replication and credential caching in branch Edition, includes new features and improvements that render it remote document-sharing technology. And, enhancements to the and services delivers low total cost of ownership, helping your office domain controllers. the most dependable, enterprise-ready server operating system Distributed File System (DFS) and Encrypting File System (EFS) organisation be more productive and efficient. Microsoft has ever created. Windows Server 2003, Enterprise allow for powerful, flexible file-sharing and storage. Summary Edition, is more scalable, with the ability to support up to

Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition, provides a eight-node clusters, support for NUMA (Non Uniform Memory

comprehensive server platform that is easy to deploy, manage Architecture), HyperThreading and the new technology for

and use. It allows businesses to lower total cost of ownership application consolidation : Windows System Resource Manager.

8 9

Summary 2003, Datacenter Edition, such as the new common language example, Microsoft® SQL Server™ Desktop Engine); or Web Windows Server 2003, and Windows System Resource Manager (also available in the availability management software (for example, Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, enables you to deploy Web Edition Overview highly available and scalable applications on industry-standard Enterprise Edition). Application Centre). Client access licenses (“CALs”) are also not

PC hardware. The result: A highly productive infrastructure applicable to Windows Server 2003, Web Edition. However, it is Microsoft developed the Datacenter Edition and the Datacenter Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, is a Web server operating optimised for running all your business-critical applications and worth noting that Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, can be High Availability Program to provide customers with a list of system designed for organisations and Network Service Providers ® services. Common examples of applications suitable for Windows used as the scale-out interface for applications like Microsoft qualified server configurations and applications that have been (NSP) that need an economical way to rapidly deploy Web pages, ® ™ Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, include networking, messaging, Outlook Web Access (OWA) and Windows SharePoint Services. thoroughly tested and proven to be highly reliable. The Datacenter Web sites, Web applications and Web Services. In these scale-out configurations, Windows Server CALs and/or inventory and customer service systems, databases, e-commerce High Availability Program provides the support you need to ensure Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, delivers the next generation Exchange CALs may still be required. Using Windows Server Web sites and file and print servers. Regardless of the size of maximum uptime for your applications. Microsoft only qualifies of Web infrastructure capabilities in the next-generation 2003, Web Edition, in these types of configurations offers your organisation, Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, is a OEMs and ISVs who have succeeded in passing their hardware Windows Server operating system. It provides a rich Web- customers an economical way to deploy scale-out applications, good choice for running applications that must be available at all and software through rigorous compatibility tests in order to serving environment by including the newly re-architected due to the Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, competitively times. It also gives growing organisations the ability to ensure the gain permission to license and support Windows Server 2003, Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0, Microsoft ASP .NET and priced licensing model. availability of critical applications, while allowing them to scale Datacenter Edition. Customers who receive servers validated by the Windows .NET Framework. It has Web-serving functionality those applications both up and out to meet increased demand. the Windows Datacenter High Availability Program know they are As Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, is designed specifically that supports two-way symmetric multiprocessing (SMP), two receiving a complete configuration that has been rigorously tested for dedicated Web-serving needs, computers running Windows gigabytes (GB) of RAM and 10 inbound server message block Windows Server 2003, with all hardware components and kernel-level software products. Server 2003, Web Edition, can be members of an Active Directory (SMB) connections for content publishing. Datacenter Edition Overview service domain, but Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, cannot Summary As with every member of the Windows Server 2003 family, be a domain controller. Therefore, Windows Server 2003, Web Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, offers significant Designed for businesses that demand the highest levels of Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, is built on industry standards Edition, alone cannot be used to apply powerful management reliability, scalability and manageability improvements compared scalability, availability and reliability, Windows Server 2003, that allow organisations to extend existing Web applications features like Group Policy, Software Restriction Policies, Remote with Windows 2000 Datacenter Server. Microsoft designed Datacenter Edition, lets you deliver mission-critical solutions for and quickly develop new ones. Web developers can not only Installation Services, Microsoft Metadirectory Services, Internet this edition of the operating system to support mission-critical databases, enterprise resource planning software, high-volume build Web pages, but also Web services that can communicate Authentication Service (IAS) and others. In addition, organisations workloads in enterprise data centres. The result: A highly real-time transaction processing and server consolidation. with other platforms using standards-based interfaces like XML cannot use Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, to deploy productive infrastructure that is optimised for running the most Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, will be available in and SOAP. This level of cost-effective application development enterprise Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) demanding applications and services. both 32-bit and 64-bit versions through OEM partners. encourages business productivity, flexibility and increases services: UDDI is an essential component for enabling discovery

The key element distinguishing Windows Server 2003, business solution opportunities. and reuse of Web Services. Organisations expect technology to provide business value. This Datacenter Edition, from other editions of the Windows Server includes systems that are always up, always responsive and that Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, can be obtained by Microsoft Summary 2003 family is the strong community of OEMs, independent provide a level of security that meets today’s challenges. Windows customers with Enterprise and Select licensing agreements, by Designed to be used specifically as a single-purpose Web server, hardware vendors (IHVs) and independent software vendors Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, includes new features and service providers with a service provider licensing agreement Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, delivers the next generation (ISVs) who work together to ensure that Datacenter Edition is improvements that make it the most dependable, enterprise- (SPLA) and through Microsoft original equipment manufacturers of Web infrastructure capabilities in the next-generation Windows the most robust, reliable, secure, available, manageable and ready server operating system Microsoft has ever created – and (OEMs) and System Builder partners. server operating systems. NSPs and self-hosting organisations supportable platform possible. These companies are actively its emphasis on security is a reflection of Microsoft’s commitment Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, can be used to deploy Web that want advanced Web functionality will benefit from this involved with Datacenter Edition customers and are committed to trustworthy computing. pages, Web sites, Web applications and Web services. Customers economical and efficient Web server operating system. Integrated to partnering with them over the lifetime of their systems. This Enhancements include improvements to technologies introduced can install Web server software (for example, Microsoft Internet with the newly redesigned and built IIS 6.0, ASP .NET and the makes Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition, unlike any in Windows 2000 Server, such as network load balancing, Information Services); non-enterprise database engine software Windows .NET Framework, Windows Server 2003, Web Edition, other platform solution available today server clusters and the Active Directory service. In addition, licensed to support not more than 25 concurrent users (for enables any organisation to rapidly deploy Web pages, Web sites,

Microsoft is introducing new technologies in Windows Server Web applications and Web Services.

10 11

® ® Business Solution Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Case Studies With the impending release of Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Worley saw an ideal Business Solution opportunity to move to this newest version of the Windows server platform. Vito Forte, Summary Global IT Manager for Worley explains, “We were particularly interested in the built- The impending release of Microsoft Terminal Services on Microsoft Windows Server 2003 moves Worley in Terminal Services in Windows Server 2003. Because of the bug with getting our Windows Server 2003 provided the to a new level of performance TimeTrax applications to run under Windows 2000 Server, we had been tied to the older ideal opportunity for Worley to migrate Windows NT 4.0 platform, but Windows Server 2003 looked promising in its ability to to the latest platform. As well as solve that issue for us.” promising greatly improved stability, Company Profile security and management features, Based in Australia with offices around the world, Worley is a leading provider of Excellent first impressions the Windows Server 2003 release Even while we’ve been professional engineering services to the energy, resource and complex processing Starting with the beta 2 version of the product, Worley migrated eight of their servers offered a solution to a long term bug ‘‘using beta 2 code, the product industries. With 37 offices located strategically in 14 countries, Worley is able to service has been incredibly robust. to Windows Server 2003. Two of these servers were dedicated to the crucial time- with an critical third-party application its clients across multiple regions. The company’s customer base includes global Under Windows NT 4.0, we charting application, and because this application runs on the server and is remotely – one which had prevented a prior organisations such as Alcoa, BHP Billiton, Chevron Texaco, ExxonMobil, Rio Tinto, Shell were resigned to rebooting accessed, Forte was particularly interested in the Terminal Services Application Mode upgrade to Windows 2000 Server. and Woodside. With around 4,000 employees globally, Worley specialises in engineering machines on a regular basis, feature of the new servers. The other new servers were deployed in finance, HR, project projects in fields such as oil and gas, petrochemical refining, minerals, metals, power but since migrating to Windows management and development and testing, also using Terminal Services to allow Server 2003 we haven’t had and water. remote connection. Results to date have been outstanding, with unprecedented levels a problem at all. The servers of stability. Forte says, “Even while we were using beta 2 code, the product has been The company has enjoyed a history of profitable growth and, through a program of have been in for over four incredibly robust. Under Windows NT 4.0 we were resigned to rebooting machines on international expansion, sector diversification and a global trend towards outsourcing, they months now and we’ve literally a regular basis, but since migrating to Windows Server 2003, we haven’t had a problem expect the future to provide significant growth opportunities. Worley has championed an had 100 percent uptime. – Vito Forte, at all. The new servers have been in for over four months now and we’ve literally had alliance-based approach to contracting, integrating closely with customers, typically on a ’’ Global IT Manager, Worley 100 percent uptime”. long-term basis, enabling their customers to focus on their core competencies.

Business Scenario A host of new features Moving to Windows Server 2003 has provided Worley with other useful features, such Worley’s global growth has placed increasing demands upon its IT resources. Because Organisation: as printer redirection, enhanced video resolution for terminal sessions, and automatic the work undertaken by Worley is done on a contracting basis, accurate tracking of Worley time zone redirection for users in other parts of the world. hours spent on each job is critical. Keeping track of these consulting hours is done using a third-party application called TimeTrax which runs from the server and is accessed Web address: Other clever features include a Session Directory which manages the load on the remotely using a terminal service thin client technology. www.worley.com.au Terminal Servers. Combined with the new Network Load Balancing (NLB) feature of Windows Server 2003, this enables the approximately 300 users to remotely access The time-tracking software has been running on a collection of Windows NT 4.0 Servers. Industry: the Axium financial application, spreading the load efficiently across the available Windows NT 4.0 Server is now an aging technology and Worley had been experiencing Engineering Services servers. Previously, there was no control over which server the user connected to, a number of issues with managing the servers, monitoring server performance, and but NLB enables a more efficient use of the two financial Terminal Servers by general system instability. As well as the time-tracking software, many of Worley’s other Business Scenario automatically balancing the load between them. business functions, such as finance, human resources and project management, were Summary also operating on Windows NT 4.0 Servers and experiencing similar issues. New Group Policies decrease the effort required to configure and set up the Terminal Worley’s primary product is the Servers, and provide the ability to easily make centralised configuration changes to The importance of the company’s server infrastructure is summed up by Worley’s creation of intellectual deliverables any server in the network. Software Architect, Gordon MacPhail: “The nature of our business is hard core like engineering documents and engineering work, and we do that primarily by partnering with our clients. This means drawings. This places a strong focus Windows Server 2003 also simplifies the setup and management of printer queues that a lot of the stuff we actually produce – our intellectual deliverables – are things on their network infrastructure and on Terminal Server – not always a straightforward task under earlier versions. The use like CAD drawings and technical documents. In other words, the things we produce are applications, many of which are of mapped network printers through terminal sessions eliminates the need to define largely a direct result of the work we do on computers, so having a robust, secure and delivered via thin-client technology multiple print queues on each terminal server, making administration far simpler. reliable IT infrastructure is incredibly important to us.” as remote terminal sessions. Worley’s aging Windows NT 4.0 platform was limiting in what it enabled on the network and was plagued with ongoing instability issues.

12 13

Powerful Media support When it comes to managing the server’s security and administration, MacPhail is Worley also employ the powerful new streaming media features built into Windows Partner Details especially enthusiastic about a new feature called Asman; an authorisation manager Microsoft Technology designed to administer user accounts. “The changes from Windows 2000 Server to Server 2003 to create online Webcasts and streaming media presentations. Using hp  Windows Server 2003 Terminal streaming media, Worley are able to build complex 3-D models of engineering projects Windows Server 2003 are not always immediately obvious,” notes MacPhail. “There Services – Application Mode Tel: (08) 9483 3333 like oil rigs, and then stream those multimedia models to the Web for clients to inspect. are a lot of little improvements that, collectively, add up to a substantial leap forward. Email: [email protected] Worley’s Internet architect, Przemek Radzikowski, says, “We use this sort of technology Asman is a good example of that – it really does 90 percent of the work of account For more information Web: www.hp.com.au to provide a better service to our clients, enabling them to do virtual tours and walk- management for you and enables network administrators to do their job more easily. For more information about Microsoft throughs of potential projects. Although we did some of this sort of work using the older Benefits Little things like Group Policies, and being able to inherit security changes from one products or services in Australia, ® organisational unit to another...they may only be small changes but they make a big contact Microsoft on 13 20 58. To system, the built in support for DirectX 8.1 and the streaming media support found in Worley have seen a range of benefits in ™ difference.” access information via the Web, go to Windows Media 9.0 make it a far, far simpler proposition to create these presentations performance, speed, stability and ease for the Web. I find the toolset provided with Windows Server 2003 enables me to do www.microsoft.com/australia/business of management. The new servers are Better value for money ©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This these things much more simply, and it has certainly lightened my workload.” experiencing 100 percent uptime, more Another major benefit is that Worley no longer require the use of a couple of third-party customer solution is for informational purposes only. flexible administration, better security MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR Ensuring success with a Microsoft Certified Partner software utilities, since Windows Server 2003 comes with built-in applications that IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, the Microsoft and valuable cost savings. perform the same tasks. Windows Server 2003 comes standard with effective backup logo, DirectX, Windows, Windows Media and Windows Although Worley have a competent in-house IT department capable of internally NT 4.0 are registered trademarks or trademarks of and replication utilities, so Worley no longer needs to pay for licensing on equivalent Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or managing their own technology infrastructure, they partnered with Microsoft Partner, HP. other countries. The names of actual companies and “We can pretty much work out most problems ourselves, but it’s always good to have an third-party applications. This represents a significant cost saving. “We are very happy products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. expert on hand when you’re dealing with a new product,” says Forte. with the value for money we get with the Microsoft solution,” comments Forte.

HP’s Anthony Olivieri is particularly pleased with the way they were able to collaborate Technology on the project with Worley, a long-time HP customer. “The migration from Windows NT Windows Server 2003 running Application Mode Terminal Services enables Worley 4.0 to Windows Server 2003 went very smoothly, and although the team at Worley were to take advantage of many features that were previously unavailable to them. With a certainly capable of seeing it through, there were one or two issues that arose which we 100 percent improvement in file access times, the new servers are fast and responsive, were able to help with. That’s the advantage of the Microsoft Partner network.” and the enhanced video resolution during a terminal session is a direct benefit to remote users. Forte concurs, “We didn’t really have any major problems making the change to the new servers, but there were a couple of things where we got some help from the guys at Maximising Success HP so it’s always good to have that support there”. The new servers are also designed to take direct advantage of the Microsoft .NET Benefits Framework, enabling shorter development times for applications and robust deployment of those applications across the network. As a software developer, MacPhail talks There have been a number of obvious benefits arising from the upgrade to Windows excitedly about the efficient way the .NET Framework enables developers to produce Server 2003, including greater security and speed, as well as quantum improvements in code faster. “.NET’s modular approach to building software means that developers can stability. There have also been some significant cost benefits thanks to the range of new be more productive. It’s let us build better applications more quickly and more easily,” tools included with the release, many of which supersede expensive third-party products he says. previously required.

Forte is full of praise for the stability of the new server range: “Windows Server 2003 The Future has given 100 percent uptime since it was installed, even under the original beta 2 The initial impressions of Windows Server 2003 are very impressive. Over time, Worley release, which is really impressive.” With eight servers currently migrated to Windows intend to upgrade their entire server base to the new Windows Server 2003 platform Server 2003, this unprecedented level of uptime has been impressive. “It certainly – around 100 servers across the entire organisation – and implement many more of the seems to perform far better than our old system, and runs a lot leaner and meaner.” products features, not just Terminal Services. Forte sums it up: “There’s no doubt that Windows 2000 Server has been a important benchmark product for Microsoft, but from “The other thing I really like about the product is the way it installs with all the defaults what we’ve seen, Windows Server 2003 builds on that foundation and takes Microsoft’s off,” he says. “During the installation process, the Server Wizard configures the server range to a whole new level of performance, capability and value.” machine to use only those settings relevant to the particular server use, be it a file and print server, Web server or terminal server. This makes it easier for us to get a server installation that does exactly what we want it to do, and not run a lot of services we don’t need. My approach has always been to keep things simple, so I really like this new approach to server configuration.”

14 15

Business Solution WebCentral moves ahead with Windows Server 2003 WebCentral looked at running Windows Server 2003 in a similar configuration to the Business Solution existing IIS 5.0 environment, with a view to determining what extra capabilities the Summary new system could provide. The prospect was that Windows Server 2003 would enable Windows Server 2003 enabled Company Profile WebCentral to offer a broader range of technical options to their clients, including WebCentral to offer a broader range Founded in 1997, WebCentral has grown to become the leader in the Australian ASP.NET Web Forms. of technical options to their clients, Web hosting industry. With state-of-the-art operations around the Asia-Pacific region, We view Windows Server including ASP.NET Web forms. The The key issue, however, was ensuring that such technologies could be offered on a WebCentral is equipped with systems that maximise reliability and security, and offer ‘‘2003 as the cornerstone of key issue however, was that such profitable and secure basis, and in a way that would enhance the reliability of the Web 24-hour, 7-day-a-week support for hosted Web sites and applications. The service our strategic direction because technologies could be offered on a hosting environment. “Our aim was to enhance the functionality that we can offer our includes multiple redundant connections to the Internet backbone, 3,500 Mbps of it is the ideal platform for our profitable and secure basis, in a way customers to integrate their customers in a manageable, secure and high-performance environment, whilst ensuring connectivity capacity, a climate control system with backup, uninterruptible power that would enhance the reliability of supplies (UPS), dual 400kVa diesel generators, fire detection and suppression systems, business systems with the that our services are still cost-effective. With ASP.NET Web Forms, our customers can internet. We are expecting a the Web hosting environment. backup servers and network equipment, as well as a central tape backup system. write compiled code in true programming languages, and there is a spin-off benefit reduction in the total cost of for us as this enables them to optimise the performance of their sites,” says Gene With a wide range of plans and options to suit most business types and sizes, managing our 1300 servers Suna, Group Product Manager for WebCentral. Additionally, with XML Web Services, WebCentral was judged the best Web hosting company in Australia by APC magazine because we can use a more centralised management WebCentral is able to support greater interactivity between platforms. in November 2002. approach. Evidence-based security improves reliability Business Scenario ’’– Lloyd Ernst, CEO, WebCentral Windows Server 2003 also offers evidence-based security, enabling WebCentral to WebCentral offers a wide range of Web hosting products, from low-end shared hosting prevent unauthorised registry, directory and system variable access, and increase the packages at budget prices for small businesses and home users to high-end shared overall reliability of the hosting environment. “Prior to Windows Server 2003, we had hosting for large corporate Web sites. Above this, WebCentral provides dedicated hosting to look at restricting permissions on what customers’ code was able to access on a environments for customers who require their own server for security, performance, and Organisation: site-by-site basis. This involved analysing the requirements of each Web site in order to greater flexibility; for more complex hosting requirements, they provide tailored solutions WebCentral put in place appropriate constraints to secure the server. Now with the evidence-based to meet the specific needs of enterprise-level customers. Web address: security, we can restrict these things within the actual .NET configuration facility, which Prior to considering Windows Server 2003, WebCentral was running Internet makes management of Web sites a great deal easier,” Suna says. www.webcentral.com.au Information Server (IIS) 5.0 in a Microsoft® Windows® 2000 Server environment. Under WebCentral utilise the system messaging capabilities of Microsoft Message Queue to this configuration, each Web server supported up to as many as 500 basic Web sites. Industry: send messages between processes operating on each server machine. The message Occasional issues arising from this setup involved busier/higher traffic sites where there Internet Services queue handles communication that enables busier sites to keep a track of the was a high proportion of dynamic content. With these applications being more resource- transactions that are occurring. WebCentral will also be promoting Microsoft® SQL intensive, they are more likely to place exceptional demands on the Web server if they are Business Scenario Server 2000™ Managed Provider as the preferred method for connecting to SQL Server. poorly designed. Kurt Euston, Product Engineer at WebCentral, explains how difficulties Summary The provider offers a native .NET Framework method of connecting to a SQL Server so could develop: “Our customers have varying levels of Web development skills and we don’t Prior to considering Windows Server that Web sites can optimise database connection performance. have any real control over the quality of code that they generate. Some of them are very 2003, problems were occurring on good developers, but those who aren’t don’t know a great deal about code optimisation, shared Web servers that were hosting One-Click hosting accelerates Web site production and they can develop applications that can place above-average loads on the server.” sites with a high proportion of dynamic WebCentral currently has two Microsoft Windows Server 2003 systems; one established

In order to detect and resolve the problems caused by poorly optimised code, content. These applications were more as a production Web hosting system, and the other servicing customers who have � WebCentral engineers would have to determine which site on the server was causing resource-intensive, and therefore more taken advantage of the One-Click hosting package offered by Microsoft to Microsoft � the problems. With up to 500 sites running on a given server, pinpointing the problem likely to place exceptional demands Visual Studio .NET license holders. The Microsoft .NET provisioning strategy enables site could sometimes take hours. In some situations, the problems could be sufficiently on the Web server if poorly designed. customers to choose from a list of .NET service providers who are offering .NET hosting severe to require stopping the problem site instantly. “If a site is affecting server Problem sites were identified manually as a free evaluation service. Customers can then ensure that the technology meets their performance to the extent that other customers’ sites are being affected, we contact by engineers, and pinpointing the needs. “A key factor of the service is that, when customers upload their site, we deliver the customer and advise them that their site is causing problems. We usually give problem site could take many hours. a provisioning letter within a few minutes via email. The process is very efficient for them them some tips on code optimisation, or a few suggestions for improving their site and, once they have designed their project in Visual Studio .NET, the project can be live architecture, but, either way, we can spend hours working on resolving the problem,” on the Internet in a matter of minutes.” Euston says.

16 17

The migration process utilised by WebCentral was relatively straightforward, as the Technology company tends to provision new servers incrementally and move customers slowly off Benefits The solution replaces Windows 2000 Server, Internet Information Server 5.0 and the Microsoft Technology the old servers as they are decommissioned. “Most of the time we don’t immediately As an immediate outcome of the Microsoft .NET Framework v1.0 solution with Windows Server 2003, Internet Information  Windows Server 2003 migrate sites across when we release a new platform, unless the customers require Windows Server 2003 implementation, Server 6.0 and the Windows .NET Framework v1.1. WebCentral are now offering the  Internet Information some of the new features. We have been able to automate sections of the site-moving WebCentral can run more than triple Microsoft One-Click hosting service on the new platform, to provide Visual Studio .NET Server 6.0 procedure so that it is a smooth process for a customer’s Web site to be shifted from the number of sites per server. This users the option of a free trial Web site which supports the Windows .NET Framework. one of the old servers across to the new servers.” reduces maintenance requirements,  Windows .NET Framework v1.1 as there are fewer new servers being Maximising Success Interoperability an important driver installed in the server farm to manage. As WebCentral is still using the older IIS 5.0 on a number of servers, it has been For more information Improved interoperability with other products was an important driver for WebCentral as The Windows Server 2003 environment possible to draw direct comparisons between the old and new technologies. When a site For more information about Microsoft it also offers an Exchange 2000 hosting product (WebCentral’s “Managed Exchange”), has also resulted in a substantial is causing problems on one of the IIS 5.0 servers, WebCentral staff can spend several products or services in Australia, and was keen to upgrade to Exchange Server 2003. “The Windows Server 2003 Active improvement in server reliability due to hours trying to pinpoint and resolve the problem. “At the moment, when one of the IIS contact Microsoft on 13 20 58. To ® Directory environment allows us to begin supporting the enhanced Exchange Server the improved isolation of hosted sites. 5.0 boxes is experiencing problems, our technical team can spend a great deal of time access information via the Web, go to 2003 features that some of our customers are looking for. There are a number of key trying to pinpoint the issue. Once the problem site is found, they can spend further hours www.microsoft.com/australia/business improvements to the messaging features of the mobile information server which is now reviewing the code to see exactly what is causing the problem. With the Windows Server ©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This a native inclusion to Exchange Server 2003,” Euston says. customer solution is for informational purposes only. 2003, I would say we are going to have significant savings in man-hours each time we MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED attempt to resolve a site conflict,” Euston says. OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, the Benefits Microsoft logo, SQL Server and Windows are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in As an immediate outcome of the Windows Server 2003 implementation, WebCentral The Future the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may is now capable of running more sites per server, which in turn means that there are Ultimately, Windows Server 2003 is giving WebCentral an enhanced competitive be the trademarks of their respective owners. fewer new servers being installed in the server farm to manage. “We are expecting to advantage as they can offer their customers the latest technology. By providing a stable be running more than triple the number of sites per server that we currently operate platform for the conflict-free co-existence of Web sites on a single server, it improves the with. On servers that are running fairly basic Web sites, such as those with static HTML quality of the services that WebCentral are offering to their customers. content, we may even be able to look at scaling the number of sites per server even further than what our current expectations are,” Euston says. Suna concludes: “Windows Server 2003 enables us to offer the features that our customers want in a manner that is acceptable to us from a manageability and security Scalability enabled by improved architecture perspective. The stability that the platform provides has added value to our business The performance increase has been partly due to the ability of Windows Server 2003 by reducing maintenance, and that value is imperative to moving the business forward. to isolate all the hosted sites efficiently and securely. Whilst WebCentral has improved Our senior engineers were getting bogged down troubleshooting Web sites that were the hardware resource slightly, without the isolation of sites, such scalability would not degrading server performance, and with Windows Server 2003, troubleshooting is have been possible. “We have upgraded the hardware, but because the Web sites are simplified. It frees up a lot of their time, to look at growth and to look at other product not affecting each other, we now have less operating system overhead to manage. offerings that we could possibly make available to our customers.” This gives us much greater scalability in a multi-site environment,” Euston says.

Improvements in server reliability The Windows Server 2003 environment has resulted in a substantial improvement in server reliability, a key marketing advantage in such a competitive industry. “Our customers expect a high level of reliability and are quick to complain if they don’t get it. With Windows Server 2003 we are able to make sure that if there is a problem, we can address it quickly, and whilst our customers will probably not notice the change, from our point of view there is substantially less maintenance overhead and improved administration,” he says.

18 19

Business Solution Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003 replaces Parmalat was seeking a seamless terminal server environment capable of incorporating Business Solution ® Windows NT 4.0 Server Solution Citrix Metaframe, and supporting a fully–integrated, centrally hosted desktop/server Summary environment. The terminal server architecture was the foundation of a strategy to Parmalat turned its attention to Company Profile increase flexibility in application deployment and control computer management costs, Windows Server 2003 to examine its Parmalat Australia Pty Limited (incorporating Pauls Limited) is a subsidiary of the Italian- without the traditional overheads of client/server architecture. Parmalat turned its scope for providing better resource based global dairy company, Parmalat Finanziaria SpA, an international corporation with Windows Server 2003 will attention to Windows Server 2003 to examine its scope for providing better resource management in a terminal server assets of AUD 17.2 billion and shareholders’ equity of approximately AUD 3.9 billion. ‘‘give us much greater server management than the existing Windows NT 4.0 servers and Terminal Server solution. configuration than the current Windows The principal activities of the global Parmalat group involve the milk division, which stability as we know that Parmalat began testing Windows Server 2003 and were immediately impressed by the NT 4.0 Terminal Server solution. accounts for 57 percent of Parmalat’s sales with products including pasteurised milk, the Windows Server 2003 new functionality that the platform offered. Scott McPherson, Solutions Architect at UHT milk, flavoured milk, milk powder, condensed milk and pasteurised cream. Parmalat architecture is more protected, Dimension Data, explains the process they followed. “We were able to create a base operate in 30 different countries, operating 139 plants and have approximately 36,000 so it’s going to be a quantum leap for us. I’m very excited server profile around the server’s functional role, and then let the Wizard build the employees. about the compatibility with appropriate features and services. Through the Server Wizard, you can configure the roles and you are able to create profiles that can be built automatically and this makes Business Scenario Metaframe because I know that Metaframe can take the process of building a server very efficient,” he says. Parmalat Australia had been operating their IT infrastructure on Windows NT 4.0 advantage of many of the new Terminal Servers, serving 99 percent of their desktop application requirements, features that Windows Server Active Directory allows more efficient user management including the SAP client, their key business application, in the 32 locations of their 2003 offers. With Microsoft Active Directory®, Parmalat will take advantage of the new Active offices around Australia. Prior to using Terminal Services, the traditional approach to – Guy ’’Stokker, Technical Directory facilities within Windows Server 2003 to implement group policies to control delivering business applications was proving increasingly challenging as a basis for the Manager, Parmalat Australia and manage the users’ environment more efficiently. One key issue for Parmalat under delivery of new applications and software upgrades. As well the desktop/server fleet Windows NT 4.0 TS was a restriction on the registry size to an effective limit of around was reaching the end of its life cycle. “We were running an ageing platform and finding Organisation: 120-130 MB. This limit caused problems for Parmalat as Stokker explains: “Windows it increasingly difficult to provide new services and solutions to our business users. Our Parmalat NT 4.0 TS had per-user file associations to allow assignment of differing default applications were consuming more desktop resources, and we were reaching the limit of applications for opening files and to avoid user-specific OLE registration problems, but our ability to keep them maintained. Additionally, we had file/print and Exchange servers Web address: the issue was that the Local Machine Software Classes key in the registry was copied dispersed across a variety of geographic locations and we were unhappy with the www.pauls.com.au into each user’s profile, blowing it out to 2 to 3 MB. With 650 users, this resulted in distribution of resource,” says Guy Stokker, Technical Manager at Parmalat Australia. www.parmalat.com a major reduction in the number of users that a server could support, regardless of Parmalat began the search for a dependable and manageable platform which CPU or memory capacity. We found this issue to be fairly restrictive and we developed could provide their users with enhanced productivity. They decided to implement an Industry: a variety of workarounds, but our solution left the registry unsecured. Under Windows application server-based approach on Windows NT 4.0 Terminal Server (TS) with Citrix Dairy Processing Server 2003, we don’t have to think about it anymore because there is no maximum Metaframe and consolidate all File/Print and Exchange servers to the computer centre registry size limit while allowing for per-user file associations with enhanced server in South Brisbane, allowing direct attachment to their EMC Storage Area Network with Business Scenario security where default access permissions to the registry being read-only for non-admin one backup solution for all data. With this task complete, Parmalat started to explore the Summary users”. The result for Parmalat is a lower maintenance overhead and increased registry possibilities of extending the functionality that they had achieved with a combination of Parmalat had been running their IT security. Clashes in the application registration process have been eliminated, and new Windows Terminal Services and Citrix Metaframe with the result of bypassing Windows infrastructure on a Windows NT 4.0 applications can be loaded without manual intervention in the registry. 2000 and waiting for the expected improvements in Terminal Services and Active Terminal Server platform, serving 99 Directory with the new release of Windows server. Stokker’s reasoning to wait was: percent of their desktop application Improved performance from Citrix Metaframe “Unless we were going to fully utilise Windows 2000 Active Directory, the Windows 2000 requirements in the 32 locations of Another immediate benefit was that Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services supports server offered no real advantage in Terminal Services when compared with Windows their offices around Australia. The more users on each high-end server than both Windows 2000 and Windows NT 4.0. NT 4.0 Terminal Services.” The key criteria to move from Windows NT 4.0 to any new platform was reaching the end of its This gives the enterprise much greater scalability, and has reduced the reliance on IT platform was low total cost of ownership, a good return on their investment, and a life cycle, and proving increasingly resources required to maintain the Windows NT environment. Stokker commented: complete technology refresh that would utilise the latest platforms to deliver cutting- challenging as a basis for the delivery “Windows Server 2003 represents a very solid implementation of Terminal Services edge applications and business tools. of new applications and software and really addresses issues of server functionality, scalability, security and application upgrades. control and will allow us to enhance our existing Metaframe infrastructure.” Parmalat can confidently continue to utilise the Windows and Citrix Metaframe combination to manage their enterprise server-based computing architecture.

20 21

Software restriction policy controls application settings Clustering improves reliability Stokker is particularly impressed with the security improvements since Windows NT 4.0. Partner Details Parmalat will also be taking advantage of the clustering capabilities of Windows Server Microsoft Technology “The level at which it is possible to implement security is far more effective than our Dimension Data 2003, as Stokker explains: “We see the Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition  Windows Server 2003, current system where it was all or nothing. With Windows Server 2003, we are able to architecture as a well-designed clustering product, and our testing proved the technology Standard Edition Tel: 1800 638 457 define the access rights and privileges at a very granular level. The software restriction holds benefits for us. With Windows Server 2003, we are putting in place a solid  Windows Server 2003, policy is critical to working in a terminal server environment, and, under Windows Web: www.didata.com.au foundation to achieve our goals of an IT infrastructure that is highly reliable to ensure we Enterprise Edition Server 2003, we are easily able to restrict the unauthorised loading of applications. operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Our infrastructure is intricately linked to the dairy Benefits Everything is controlled at the individual user level, which gives you lots of flexibility. industry – we rely on it to make decisions about how milk is processed and distributed. A Other Technology Parmalat will be able to use group We don’t have to worry about securing the registry now and we can restrict how each lot of the dairy products do have a certain shelf life and if we do not deliver the product  Citrix Metaframe policies to control and manage individual program can be run. Many desktop settings that were previously global are within the agreed strict time limits then the supermarket will return it. With these individual user environments more now configurable on a per-user basis, and the general server settings for Windows constraints, we have to have a stable technology platform under which to operate.” For more information efficiently. Windows Server 2003 components and memory tuning are now default for Windows Server 2003. This means For more information about Microsoft Terminal Services supports more Technology that an application server doesn’t need a great deal of tuning,” he says. products or services in Australia, users on each high-end server than Parmalat has long been consolidating its IT resources into one centralised location, and contact Microsoft on 13 20 58. To Interoperability improvements both Windows 2000 and Windows has utilised terminal servers to keep desktop support costs down and reduce server access information via the Web, go to Interoperability is also a must for the Parmalat environment, and so the compatibility NT 4.0. This gives the enterprise much administrative requirements. The key drivers for the company with the introduction www.microsoft.com/australia/business of applications has been thoroughly tested by a team of IT staff. The testing must greater scalability. of Windows Server 2003 are the real improvements compared with Windows NT 4.0 ©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This be stringent because Pauls are running a number of idiosyncratic dairy industry in better scalability, stability, security and this means that Parmalat can continue to customer solution is for informational purposes only. MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED applications, as Stokker describes. “All the programs are running quite happily utilise the Windows and Citrix Metaframe combination. “I’m very excited about the OR IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, the on Windows Server 2003, and we are not getting any of the usual Dynamic Link compatibility with Metaframe because I know that Metaframe can take advantage of Microsoft logo, Active Directory, Outlook, PowerPoint, Windows and Windows NT are registered trademarks Library (DLL) compatibility issues because the DLLs can now co-exist. We have been many of the new Windows Server 2003 features - it will just do wonders for Metaframe,” or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual able to deploy applications that will work first time, and it doesn’t take the usual he adds. companies and products mentioned herein may be the time-consuming workarounds to do it. We are running everything – from Microsoft trademarks of their respective owners. PowerPoint®, Excel, Outlook® and all the other 55 applications that we have installed, Maximising Success and it’s all handled properly by Windows Server 2003. For us, Windows Server 2003 Windows Server 2003 will enable Parmalat to realise new efficiencies when installing has taken away the complexity of running numerous applications in a terminal server applications, rather than utilising a range of techniques to circumvent the constraints of environment.” Windows NT 4.0. “When we are loading applications under Terminal Server, there will be immediate solutions to the problems we were working around under Windows NT 4.0. Ensuring success with a Microsoft Certified Partner We won’t have to utilise scripting techniques and registry hacks to get our applications Parmalat chose Microsoft Certified Partner, Dimension Data, as their development to work properly so we can get on with the job of installing the applications and not partner for the Windows Server 2003 Active Directory and file/print server architecture worrying about registry size, file associations and DLL clashes at all. I estimate we’ll cut design plus network infrastructure and server clustering implementation requirements, the amount of time spent installing and administering new and existing applications in because of their expertise in networking technology and services. Internally, Parmalat half,” Stokker says. Australia handled Windows Server 2003 Terminal Services and Citrix Metaframe infrastructure in conjunction with an external consultant. The Future Parmalat intends to roll out Windows Server 2003 fully when it receives the release-to- Benefits manufacturer version, as the company is keen to realise the many benefits that Windows Parmalat anticipate benefits from the Active Directory infrastructure, and its Server 2003 offers. The rollout will also bring the terminal server desktop applications centralisation of information. Stokker believes that this feature may make Help Desk up to the latest versions, with the inclusion of Microsoft Office XP and Exchange 2000. operations more controllable. In the past, Help Desk staff required domain administrator access to address the kind of problems that they were encountering. With Windows Server 2003, security policies are based on the user, giving much more flexibility in policy implementation. “With Windows Server 2003, we can go to the individual user, and we can put real control on what support staff are able to access and change,” he says.

22 23

Business Solution Boral achieve a significant reduction in server management costs The upgrade to Windows Server 2003 was also part of a bigger technology rollout, Business Solution with Windows® Server 2003 whereby the corporate email system was to be migrated to the new Exchange Server Summary 2003 and the standard desktop environment moved to Windows XP and Office XP. The upgrade to Windows Server 2003 Company Profile The new system went live during January 2003 at Boral’s Masonry site at Prospect was part of a bigger technology rollout, Boral Limited began in 1946 as Bitumen and Oil Refineries Australia Limited, and in Sydney, but with such a large network, the rollout will continue throughout the whereby the corporate email system was the first Australian-owned operation of its kind. In the 1950s, Boral opened plant We plan to reduce the organisation over the next 12 to 18 months. was migrated to the new Exchange facilities in Sydney and Brisbane to enable its expansion beyond bitumen and into ‘‘number of servers throughout Server 2003 and the standard desktop petrochemicals, before entering the gas and quarrying businesses during the 1960s. “I think there is little doubt the Windows platform has really come of age,” says the organisation by at least environment moved to Windows XP and Today, Boral is Australia’s largest building and construction materials company, Henderson. “For all the flak that Microsoft might have copped in the past about security 20 percent and, even at this Office XP. The new system went live specialising in a wide range of products such as aggregates, asphalt, cement, concrete, early stage, we can see that, and stability issues, Windows Server 2003 proves just how far Microsoft’s networking during January 2003 at Boral’s Masonry plasterboard, bricks, roofing, masonry products, windows and timber. with the better performance products have matured. We’re seeing a lot of enhancements; especially in the way the site at Prospect in Sydney, but with such and management features desktop and the server operating system are able to complement each other.” Boral currently has six operating divisions: Australian Construction Materials; Cement; of Windows Server 2003, a large network, the rollout will continue Clay & Concrete Products; Plasterboard; Timber; and Boral USA. Approximately 12,000 that goal is achievable. Better control of user roles throughout the organisation over the people work at Boral sites in Australia, the United States and Asia and the company has By the time you scale back next 12 to 18 months. Avanade Solution Architect, Matt Crowe, talks about one of the new Windows Server annual sales around A$3.5 billion. the number of servers, then factor in the savings for 2003 features that he believes makes a huge difference; that is, better definitions of roles within the Active Directory®. “Under Windows NT, there was a limited range Business Scenario support and maintenance, I think it would be quite of roles, leading to a limited set of available permission structures. So, if a network With such a large number of people working for the company over such a widely reasonable to expect notable administrator wanted to create a user and give them a certain level of access, they dispersed geographical area, Boral relies heavily on its network infrastructure to enable IT operations savings. would often be restricted by the limited structures available within Windows NT. The resource-sharing and communication. Running primarily on Microsoft® Windows NT® – Richard Deck, IT Strategy ’’ upshot of this was that many users would end up with much higher levels of access than 4.0 Server with Windows 95/NT on the desktop, Boral’s network spreads out across and Architecture Manager, was desirable.” 350 different sites throughout Australia, many hosting more than one server, yet almost Boral Limited 250 of these sites have fewer than five users. As the time came to look at its next The improved Active Directory service in Windows Server 2003 allows these user roles technology refresh cycle, Boral was interested not only in moving to the most up-to-date to be created and defined as required, enabling security permissions to be fine-tuned for platform available but also in achieving some degree of server consolidation throughout Organisation: each group of users. “This makes the network simpler to manage because you have far the organisation. Boral Limited better control over who can do what,” says Crowe.

Shane Henderson, IT Technical Architect at Boral, explains, “We were at the stage where Web address: Better security and administration many of our servers had been in place for a number of years and we simply had to look www.boral.com.au Dean Gardiner, Senior System Engineer with Avanade, agrees with his colleague about at a server refresh. We were originally looking at an upgrade to Windows 2000 Server, the improved security of Windows Server 2003. “I think the new security enhancements but when we found out that Windows Server 2003 was soon due for release, we decided Industry: are the number one feature. We’re finding that the product installs straight out of the that it would make more sense to leap-frog 2000 and go directly to 2003. When we Manufacturing box in a very secure form. Microsoft has provided a collection of new tools that make started to really look at what new features were available in Windows Server 2003, we network management much easier and they potentially save an enormous amount of became convinced that this was the right move.” Business Scenario time,” he says. “With regard to network administration, there are lots of little features

Having taken this decision, Boral worked with Microsoft Certified Partner, Avanade, and Summary that add up to a major overall improvement. As an example, you can now set properties became part of Microsoft’s early deployment program for the upcoming new server Boral’s servers had been in place for a on multiple items in a single action. That might not sound like much, but it can save release. As well as the advantage of adopting new technology at the leading edge of number of years and the company was hours of time… and it’s the little things like that which ultimately give you a better tool to its life cycle, Boral was interested in the enhanced management features of Windows looking at a server refresh cycle. The work with.” Server 2003 in order to centralise its geographically dispersed network and, in doing so, upgrade to Windows 2000 Server was reduce the number of servers required across the organisation. leap-frogged in preference to the soon- to-be-released Windows Server 2003.

24 25

Ensuring success with a Microsoft Certified Partner Technology Avanade is a leading global technology integrator for Microsoft solutions in the enterprise. Partner Details Windows Server 2003 is Microsoft’s newest multi-purpose operating system, capable of Microsoft Technology With extensive technology infrastructure and .NET application development experience Avanade handling a diverse set of server roles in either a centralised or distributed fashion. These  Windows Server 2003 under-pinning hundreds of customer projects worldwide, Avanade were in an ideal server roles include the ability to perform as a file and print server, Web server and Web Tel: (02) 9080 7000  Windows XP Professional position to assist Boral with its early adoption of Windows Server 2003, as well as the application server, mail server, terminal server, as well as other standard services like upgrade of their desktop environment to Microsoft Windows XP and Microsoft Office XP. Email: remote access VPN, DNS, DHCP and WINS. It also has built-in streaming media server  Microsoft Office XP ability, providing enhanced functionality for users of Windows Media® 9. Avanade have in-depth practical knowledge of Microsoft products, and their specific NSW [email protected]  Exchange Server 2003 expertise is in the integration of these products into a heterogeneous environment. Boral’s use of the new server environment was supported and extended with the use of VIC [email protected] Avanade help companies optimise their technology investments to deliver increased Microsoft Windows XP as the desktop Standard Operating Environment, complete with For more information productivity and improved ROI. ACT [email protected] Microsoft Office XP as their productivity suite. Corporate email is handled by Microsoft For more information about Microsoft products or services in Australia, QLD [email protected] Exchange Server 2003. This combination of server and desktop has enabled Boral Benefits to achieve a robust, productive and easily manageable environment, addressing both contact Microsoft on 13 20 58. To Boral’s IT Strategy and Architecture Manager, Richard Deck, lists some of the benefits Web: www.avanade.com/au organisational and technical needs. access information via the Web, go to for the company: server consolidation, improved productivity, better access and simpler www.microsoft.com/australia/business Benefits Being fully .NET enabled, the new Windows Server 2003 range is well-placed to take administration. “We expect that the new server platform, in conjunction with the ©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. This Boral cites server consolidation, advantage of the powerful and flexible .NET development framework, allowing faster customer solution is for informational purposes only. accompanying hardware and desktop OS upgrades, will have a significant impact on MICROSOFT MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR development times for future applications. Says Deck, “.NET is a logical choice for future the way we do business at Boral, and we should save a considerable amount of money. improved productivity, better access IMPLIED, IN THIS SUMMARY. Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, Active Directory, Windows Media and Windows and simpler administration among the development”. However, we didn’t upgrade solely to save money. There are definite advantages for us are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft corporation in the United States and/or other countries. from an end user’s perspective. We are getting more functionality and believe these will key benefits from the move to Windows Maximising Success The names of actual companies and products translate into reduced support costs. Ultimately, the decision to upgrade was part of Server 2003. With a 20 percent scale mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their Although the new Windows Server 2003 represents a new generation of servers from respective owners. an overriding business strategy designed to keep us in business. It has definitely been back in the number of servers required, Microsoft, it is also an evolution of the previous Windows Server families. Accordingly, worth it for us.” savings for support and maintenance are also expected. The migration many of the existing Windows NT 4.0 skills within the organisation are directly Fewer servers mean fewer dollars to spend process, initially involving some 70 transferable to the new system. Avanade’s Gardiner comments: “All of the company’s knowledge of their old Windows NT 4.0 system forms a valuable skills base for the move One of Boral’s goals for the new server environment was to achieve a degree of server users, was smooth and no problems to the new environment. They don’t need to re-learn everything. Of course there are lots consolidation, reducing the total number of servers required to meet its business needs. were experienced. The servers are of new features and far greater functionality in the new system, but because it builds According to Deck, providing 100 percent uptime, and manageability is vastly improved. on the products that came before it, Windows Server 2003 has an easy learning curve, “We plan to reduce the number of servers throughout the organisation by at least 20 enabling Boral to utilise its people’s existing skills, and making it much easier to find percent and, even at this early stage, we can see that, with the better performance and new people who will understand the system.” management features of Windows Server 2003, that goal is achievable. By the time you This aspect of leveraging people’s prior knowledge is just another way that Microsoft scale back the number of servers, then factor in the savings for support and maintenance, products are able to offer excellent return on investment. I think it would be quite reasonable to expect notable IT operations savings”. The Future Beyond ROI With such a substantial network infrastructure and a user base of around 4,000 people, Reliability and manageability are the other key issues. Since the migration to Windows Boral is committed to an ongoing rollout of the new servers over the next eighteen Server 2003, Henderson reports uninterrupted uptime with zero unplanned outages. months. As this happens, the Boral team fully expect to meet their goals for server The migration process, initially involving some 70 users, was smooth and no problems consolidation and the associated reduction in IT management costs. were experienced. There is great enthusiasm for the new server management tools, and the company is Since installation, network administration staff at Boral have been impressed by the eager to use them to further extend their ability to centralise the network and reduce new system’s management features, especially for remote users. The improved remote their core infrastructure costs. management is largely what has enabled such a significant server consolidation program over Boral’s widely dispersed network. Improved replication, better performance from the Active Directory, faster response times and greater productivity are just some of the improvements that contribute to the improved performance. “These performance benefits are in addition to our server consolidation expectations,” says Deck.

27

Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003

Introduction Visual C#™ .NET and Visual C++® .NET and a number of features

One year after the introduction of a new development paradigm, designed to ease the transition to .NET from earlier versions of

® new programming languages and new developer tools, software Visual Basic and from the Java platform.

developers and architects have demonstrated overwhelming Design Goals approval of the Windows .NET Framework and Visual Studio .NET. Microsoft Visual Studio .NET is a general-purpose development Coupled with Windows 2000 Server, the .NET Framework delivered tool for the construction of enterprise-grade Microsoft .NET a robust, stable and powerful application platform for building connected applications. In building the tool, Microsoft architects mission-critical systems and services. Now, with the introduction sought to fulfi l several important goals: of Windows Server 2003, Visual Studio .NET customers will enjoy  Provide full access to the platform. Programmers should be the benefi ts of an even more mature and stable platform for able to construct applications with maximum functionality, building high-performance trustworthy enterprise-class solutions. reliability, performance and security while taking advantage

In addition to increased scalability and reliability, Visual Studio of the underlying .NET Framework, Windows Server family and

.NET 2003 includes a number of enhancements for enterprise, Windows Server features.

professional and mobile application developers, including:  Enable the creation of connected applications. Programmers

 A single programming model for building connected should be able to build connected applications that access

applications across a variety of platforms, from hand-held information anywhere, at any time, on any device, be it a

devices to datacenter servers. hand-held computer or server backbone.

 Improved support for the latest Web Services standards  Set the bar for developer productivity. The .NET Framework

through the Web Services Enhancements. should enable programmers to use a familiar and consistent

 High-performance connectivity to a variety of new data programming model for constructing a variety of applications.

sources, including Oracle. Further, Visual Studio .NET should ease the development of

 Improved support for architects and enterprise developers such powerful applications by building on the critically acclaimed

as integrated modelling tools and instrumentation frameworks. innovations Microsoft has pioneered over several versions of

Visual Studio. Moreover, the latest version of Visual Studio .NET enables  Establish a strong and vibrant developer ecosystem. The .NET developers to build applications that take advantage of the latest Framework and Visual Studio .NET should foster the growth of management and deployment technologies in Windows Server tools and components from third-party vendors as well as a 2003, Microsoft’s fl agship server platform. community of like-minded developers that help programmers

Visual Studio .NET, considered by many to be the industry’s quickly complete their tasks. leading development tool, builds on its rich heritage of Together, these design goals comprise the guiding principles productivity and control by offering programmers increased behind the creation of the .NET Framework 1.1 and Microsoft fl exibility in programming languages with the Java-language Visual Studio .NET 2003. tool, Visual J#™ .NET1, improved standards compliance in both

1 Microsoft Visual J# .NET is not a tool for developing applications intended to run on a Java virtual machine. Applications and services built with Visual J# .NET will run only in the .NET Framework; they will not run on any Java virtual machine. Visual J# .NET has been independently developed by Microsoft. It is neither endorsed nor approved by Sun Microsystems, Inc.

28 29

What’s new in Visual Studio .NET 2003 emit instrumentation information, correlate events across servers  New Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0. Re-architected The Windows .NET Framework

Visual Studio .NET 2003 builds on the award-winning power and and more, assisting system administrators in managing the to provide substantially increased performance, reliability The .NET Framework is an integral Windows component that enables

productivity of its predecessor, shipping with a new programming execution of deployed multiple-tier, Web-enabled solutions. and manageability, the new version of IIS is the foundation building and running the next generation of software applications

language, adding support for building rich mobile applications, for the next generation of Web applications and services. and Web Services. It consists of two parts: the common language

improving data connectivity and delivering integration with robust The Microsoft Application The new kernel-mode HTTP listener architecture provides runtime (CLR) and a hierarchical set of class libraries, including ASP

and scalable platform services. Platform and Tools a robust, high-performance service for delivering HTTP .NET (for building Web applications and Web Services), ADO .NET (for

requests and forms the basis of the high-performance incorporating data access functionality into your applications) and Visual Studio .NET 2003 takes full advantage of the latest A dependable, powerful platform caching architecture. New dynamic configuration reduces Windows Forms (for constructing the next generation of smart client advances in both Windows Server 2003 and the Windows .NET Built on the foundation of Windows server products, the Microsoft server downtime and increases manageability. applications for devices, desktops and servers – see Figure 2). Framework 1.1, including:  application platform delivers a dependable environment on More reliable infrastructure for Web applications. Process  A more scalable, reliable and stable Web development which businesses can deploy their mission-critical software recycling allows applications to transparently recover from VB C++ C# J# ... platform in Internet Information Services (IIS) 6.0. application errors and increases application reliability to end Common Language Specification and services. Core to this concept is Web Services technology, Visual Studio .NET  More scalable and reliable messaging infrastructure. enabling developers to build applications that access information users. Customisable security settings allow different Web XML Web Web Forms  Stable enterprise services infrastructure. Services at any time, anywhere, on any device. From managing IT applications and services to exhibit more precise and intended Windows Forms  Improved overall performance and reliability. infrastructure to coordinating partner relationships, application security behaviour. Data and XML  Integrated Web Services discovery.  developers have an ideal environment for constructing smart COM+ Partitions. Provides logical, configurable containers Base Class Library Visual Studio .NET 2003 includes new features to access and client solutions, Web-based applications and Web Services. that allow applications to run independently of other versions Common Language Runtime manipulate information from a variety of database servers, of applications. CLI including Oracle and any ODBC data source. Windows Server family  Reliable messaging with new MSMQ 3.0. Introduces support Figure 1: The .NET Framework consists of the common language Windows 2000 provided developers with a dependable and powerful for sending messages over the Internet, including URL-based Developers may now build smart mobile client applications using runtime and a hierarchical set of class libraries for building platform for building .NET connected solutions. While Windows 2000 the same programming model and development tools they use queue referencing, transmission of SOAP formatted messages Windows-based, Web and Web Service solutions. is certainly still a viable development platform and fully supports the and HTTP-based secure messaging. to construct desktop and server applications. The .NET Compact Together, these two components deliver the foundation of the .NET Framework 1.1, Windows Server 2003 delivers to programmers  Improved symmetric multi-processor support. Enables Framework provides a class library immediately familiar to Microsoft next generation of Windows-based development, in a reliable, an increasingly reliable, scalable and fast platform designed to best application developers to take advantage of highly scalable .NET developers. Included with Visual Studio .NET 2003 are features robust and secure manner. execute managed applications for Windows and the Web. for smart device programmability, including an instantly recognisable hardware platforms. More information about the Windows .NET Framework designer, debugger and emulator, to help programmers construct  Integrated Web Services discovery with UDDI. Organisations More information about Windows Server 2003 is is available online at applications for Windows CE-powered devices. available online at and developers can use Windows Server to register, share www.microsoft.com.au/windowsserver www.microsoft.com.au/windowsserver and reuse Web Services and other resources within their Visual Studio .NET 2003 also contains several programming organisations using industry-standard protocols and directory language advances, including the new Visual J# .NET Java-language Windows Server introduces several new features for developers, services and optional integration with Active Directory. developer tool, improved Visual Basic .NET features, new productivity- including: enhancing and standards-compliant features in Visual C++ .NET and  The latest version of the .NET Framework. Developers and We are excited about Windows Server 2003 Visual C# .NET and code migration tools for developers with existing administrators can rest assured that Windows Server 2003 ‘‘because of the enhancements in security and Visual Basic 6.0 or Java language applications. reliability in Internet Information Services and includes the .NET Framework 1.1, reducing deployment and the new administration capabilities that will With new and improved features for enterprise development, maintenance costs for their applications. greatly simplify system administration, – Therese Fontaine, Principal Architect, Honeywell  Built-in functionality for Web Services and robust, scalable ’’ Visual Studio .NET 2003 enables programmers to easily design,

create, deploy and manage their mission-critical software. The new COM+ applications. With a single click of the mouse, any

application instrumentation framework enables programmers to COM+ server can be exposed as a Web Service, allowing more Figure 2 flexibility for reuse of existing investments.

30 31

Complete Enterprise life cycle support developer implementing the application while delivering context- A rich palette of languages  Visual C# .NET, the modern and innovative programming

Satisfying the application development needs of today’s large-scale sensitive guidance. Once created, these templates appear in the Just as every artist is unique and employs the medium and tools language and tool. Introduced in 2001, the C# language

enterprise organisations frequently requires a complex, highly Visual Studio .NET “New Project” dialogue box and can be used to suit their experience and personality, software developers offers a familiar syntax for C++ and Java developers along

specialised set of tools, technologies and design methods. Further, by developers as the starting point for new applications. Visual employ programming languages based on their skills and the task with unique language constructs that offer greater control

successfully building complex enterprise applications requires a solid Studio .NET will then enforce the development policy declared in at hand. No one language satisfies the needs of all developers. over the .NET Framework.  architecture and a common understanding of requirements across the template by the architect or project leader. Visual J# .NET, the Java language tool for Microsoft .NET. Programmers are an innately different breed: part artist, part development teams. Enterprise development organisations typically Visual J# .NET offers Java language developers complete Visual Studio Enterprise Templates help encourage good scientist, always opinionated and never satisfied. Ever seeking require a collaborative work environment where there is a need for access to the .NET Framework and the industry’s most development procedures and standard practices across perfection, programmers nonetheless accept the imperfection of different team members to work closely to share and communicate advanced Web Services platform, while maintaining development projects. They are particularly useful when applied modern programming languages. Some of them cross-train and information. This type of development process is greatly simplified a familiar language and syntax. to large scale distributed system development in situations switch languages on a whim. Others seek greater expertise in a through tools and technologies that provide support for life cycle where multiple projects will be constructed using a common single language. After all, Michelangelo was a gifted sculptor and tasks such as architecture, design, implementation deployment, application architecture. Enterprise Templates offer guidance to brilliant painter, while Monet excelled with oil and canvas alone. security, scalability, reliability and manageability. novice developers while encouraging code and component reuse, Yet we see them for the genius they each possessed.

To address these needs, Microsoft offers enterprise versions of Visual resulting in savings in both time and resources.

Studio .NET which incorporate an integrated set of technologies for Visual Studio .NET Enterprise Architect and Enterprise Developer We make these decisions very carefully, over a long ‘‘period of time, because we simply cannot afford to building complex, enterprise-scale applications to power today’s simplify the process of enterprise software development. With make mistakes. Very simply, .NET enables us to expose successful businesses. These features are delivered in the Enterprise powerful capabilities such as application modelling through all of our Web Services across all of our platforms, and we’re dead sure we’ve made the right decision. Architect and Enterprise Developer versions of Visual Studio .NET. UML, database modelling, application frameworks through code – David Bennison, Chief of Application Group, ’’ABS These toolsets provide the crucial features necessary for the design templates and policies, Web services and Web application testing and development of the entire enterprise software life cycle. Figure 3 and built-in team development and source code management Programming language is an inherently personal choice, one based

tools, Visual Studio .NET empowers developers and architects on a number of factors. Rather than forcing programmers to adapt Even more compelling was the full support in Visual to build enterprise applications in a systematic and repeatable one language over another, Microsoft has built a platform on which Visual Basic .NET ‘‘Studio .NET for well-proven software engineering techniques…and framework informing developers where manner enabling reuse of components across project life cycles. a number of languages, from C++ to Objective-C, Fortran to COBOL,

to place those components for the best design. Visual Basic to Perl, can each flourish and enjoy full access to the Visual Basic .NET is the easy and productive tool for building – Tore Lode, Senior Developer, CyberWatcher’’ Increased developer productivity power and flexibility of the .NET Framework. Windows, Web and mobile applications. With the release of Historically, Visual Studio .NET has always been the standard- Visual Basic .NET 2003, developers, from hobbyists to bearer of developer productivity. Building on industry-defining For its part, Microsoft offers four programming languages, each professionals, receive a reinvigorated language designed to Effective architectural guidance features such as IntelliSense® and visual designers, Visual designed to appeal to a particular set of programmers: solve the most pressing challenges associated with RAD. Visual Studio .NET helps software architects and senior Studio .NET 2003 includes a number of enhancements  Visual Basic .NET, the latest version of the world’s most developers who lead large development teams better that further set the industry’s bar for highly productive Key improvements in Visual Basic .NET 2003 include new popular development tool and language. Visual Basic communicate and enforce their design decisions. Enterprise development environments. productivity features, increased IDE and runtime performance, .NET delivers unsurpassed productivity and unique Templates jump-start the process of creating new applications language enhancements and deeper support for upgrading language features designed to make the .NET Framework and allow architects to limit the options available from within existing Visual Basic investments. more readily accessible. Visual Studio .NET using XML-based Template Description  Visual C++ .NET, the tool of maximum power and control. More information for Visual Basic .NET developers Language (TDL) to define development policies. With the C++ language, developers can build “native” is available online at http://msdn.microsoft.com/vbasic An Enterprise Template is a set of files that defines the initial Windows solutions for maximum performance and

structure for an application, along with a set of rules, or a functionality, while employing the Managed Extensions

development policy, that limits the options available to the to C++ to bridge native and managed environments.

32 33

The easy and productive tool for building  New Class, method and procedure separators enable greater • Enhanced productivity, slashing development time. .NET-connected applications code readability. • Code-focused RAD, Visual designers for productively building

Visual Basic .NET delivers unmatched RAD capabilities, giving  Enhanced XML Designer provides expansion/collapse of XML Windows applications.

programmers the most productive and approachable language nodes and zoom capabilities for complex documents. and tool available in Visual Studio .NET. Already the world’s  Improved Add Web Reference dialogue automatically Visual C# .NET most popular development tool, Visual Basic .NET provides a discovers local Web services, supports named Web

familiar, human readable syntax with modern object-oriented References and provides enable greater code readability. Visual C# .NET is the modern and innovative language and tool features. With COM interoperability and access to platform for building .NET-connected software. Combining the power and libraries, programmers have the means to move their skills Visual C++ .NET simplicity of the C# programming language with the award-winning forward while retaining their past investments. Visual Studio .NET Integrated Development Environment, Visual What’s new in Visual Basic .NET 2003 Visual C++ .NET is the powerful tool for creating Windows-based C# .NET delivers a programming environment well suited for and .NET-connected applications and Web Services using the C++ novice and professional developers alike. Visual C# .NET provides As a vital component of the Microsoft developer tools offering, Figure 4 development language. Build highly tuned applications programmers with a proven development language ideal for Visual Basic .NET 2003 continues its hallmark of industry-leading Building on its roots, Visual C++ .NET 2003 continues enabling constructing business frameworks and shrink-wrapped software. productivity that started over 10 years ago with the release Visual C++ .NET 2003 is the most significant upgrade of developers to build entirely unmanaged Windows-based applications of the first version of Visual Basic. With incremental the C++ product line since its inception nearly 10 years ago. The modern and innovative language and tool and components. In this release, the compiler is enhanced with enhancements to both the language and IDE, Visual Basic This is the first version in which Visual C++ is significantly With a syntax immediately familiar to C, C++ and Java several new and improved optimisations and capabilities, including .NET 2003 provides cutting-edge functionality needed to conforming to the ISO-defined C++ language standard, programmers, the C# programming language extends the Whole Program Optimisation, the ability to generate optimised code overcome today’s programming challenges. enabling C++ developers to write and compile modern C++ functionality of modern languages with a host of productivity- for recent processor technologies (including the Intel Pentium IV) code using advanced language features. enhancing constructs, including properties, delegates, events, The Visual Basic .NET environment and the ability to better optimise for processors with Streaming SIMD enumerated types and more. A cornerstone of developer productivity, the Visual Basic .NET Extension (SSE and SSE2) support. More information for Visual C++ .NET developers development environment provides shared designers, a powerful Familiar syntax is available online at: www.microsoft.com/visualc Developers using Visual C++ also enjoy the unique ability to move debugger and an intelligent code editor to speed and simplify C# is a fully object-oriented language with complete access to their existing code to the .NET Framework granularly and at their own the construction of applications. In Visual Basic .NET 2003, the the power of the .NET Framework, from collection classes and The powerful tool for building Web-based and pace. The Visual C++ compiler builds existing C++ sources for the IDE delivers additional performance and productivity features windowing APIs to threading support and networking functionality. Windows applications CLR (common language runtime) without requiring code rewrites. that further accelerate the Visual Basic developer’s day-to-day On the surface, C# programs look very similar to programs Visual C++ .NET delivers a powerful compiler, capable of building programming tasks. What’s new in Visual C++ .NET 2003 written in C, C++ and Java. This superficial resemblance makes highly tuned applications for Windows and the .NET Framework.  New Smart Device programmability enables rapid Visual C++ .NET offers programmers a flexible and powerful tool it dramatically easier for programmers to learn and master the With full access to the underlying Windows platform, Visual C++ development of Pocket PC applications. for building Windows-based solutions, Web applications and .NET- nuances of this powerful, flexible programming language. .NET enables programmers to build the fastest applications for  New Immediate Windows IntelliSense provides helpful connected applications. In Visual C++ .NET 2003, programmers Windows. With the Managed Extensions to C++, programmers What’s new in Visual C# .NET 2003 feedback when debugging applications. gain a number of advantages, including: can write .NET-connected applications with greater control over Microsoft Visual C# .NET delivers a highly productive development  New Structured Exception Templates provide intelligent  Better standards conformance, enabling programmers to platform and runtime internals than any other language. When environment for code-focused developers. With enhanced auto-completion of Try-Catch error handling code regions. use additional language features and the most common used together, Visual C++ .NET is the ideal tool for leveraging past IntelliSense, new custom build steps and improved debugger  New Class Templates provide automatic completion of community-supported libraries. C++ investments and taking advantage of the secure and flexible support, Visual C# .NET provides programmers with state-of- abstract child classes and interface children. Simply inherit  Additional performance improvements, assisting programmers .NET Framework. the-art tools that make writing code as easy as possible. The from an interface or a base class and the code editor will to write software that takes full advantage of the underlying pioneers of the principles of Rapid Application Development automatically insert required abstract methods of the class platform and hardware. (RAD), Microsoft has once again delivered a robust and flexible and methods of the interface.  Improved security functionality, helping programmers to write environment designed for code-focused developers. more trustworthy applications.

34 35

Code-focused RAD Microsoft Visual J# .NET is not a tool for developing applications What’s New in Visual J# .NET 2003

Building on the RAD principles found in tools such as Visual Basic intended to run on a Java Virtual Machine. Applications and Visual J# .NET 2003 has full access to the Windows .NET

and Visual C++, Visual C# .NET gives programmers a modern services built with Visual J# .NET will run only in the .NET Framework version 1.1, including enhancements in performance

programming environment in which writing code is treated with Framework. Visual J# .NET has been independently developed by and scalability, support for the Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6)

paramount importance. Visual C# .NET offers a number of Microsoft. It is not endorsed or approved by Sun Microsystems, Inc. and classes in ADO.NET for native communication with Oracle and

features for the code-focused developer, including: ODBC databases. Visual J# .NET includes new support for writing More information for Visual J# .NET developers is  Improved IntelliSense for interfaces and base classes. available online at: and including rich reports using Crystal Reports for Visual Studio IntelliSense now includes automatic interface and base http://msdn.microsoft.com/vjsharp .NET. Moreover, Visual J# .NET 2003 now supports the ability to

class expansion. Simply inherit from an interface or a base build mobile Web applications using the same programming model class and the code editor will prompt you with a ToolTip to The Java-language tool for .NET as for building Windows-based and Web solutions. automatically stub out abstract methods of the class and Visual J# .NET 2003 is now fully integrated with Visual Studio .NET Figure 5 methods of the interface. 2003, along with Visual C++, Visual C# and Visual Basic .NET. Upgrading from previous versions ASP.NET applications are the exception to this behaviour. When  Improved IntelliSense for delegates and events. IntelliSense Visual J# .NET 2003 Standard is also available and is the Java- the Windows .NET Framework 1.1 is installed on a server, will now provide ToolTip assistance to help you hook functions language development tool for students and hobbyists. Developers upgrading to the Windows .NET Framework 1.1 and ASP.NET Web Applications and Web Services are automatically to delegates and events. configured to run with it, by default. System administrators have Visual J# .NET 2003 targets the .NET Framework 1.1 and can Visual Studio .NET 2003 can take advantage of side-by-side  Code outlining and collapsing. In concert with the C# the ability to override this default behaviour and configure some be used to develop any kind of .NET application, including deployment of both products along with their predecessors. The language’s preprocessor features for “#region” support, the or all of these applications to run with the .NET Framework 1.0. Windows-based applications, Web Services, Web applications .NET Framework 1.1 will install alongside the .NET Framework 1.0 Visual C# .NET environment will automatically collapse blocks and Visual Studio .NET 2003 will install alongside Visual Studio and Mobile Web applications, making full use of the .NET The behaviour is similar with Visual Studio .NET. If a developer of code for easier reading and editing. .NET 2002. Further, Visual Studio .NET 2002 builds applications for Framework 1.1 libraries for cross-language integration, security, opens a Visual Studio .NET 2002 project in Visual Studio .NET  New custom build steps. Programmers may now customise the .NET Framework 1.0 just as it does today, while Visual Studio versioning, deployment, debugging and more. 2003, the project will be upgraded and can no longer be opened how their application compiles and builds for faster .NET 2003 will only build applications for the .NET Framework 1.1. in Visual Studio .NET 2002. To facilitate project-by-project development and reduced build cycles. Visual J# .NET 2003 includes the following: migration, Visual Studio .NET 2003 can be installed alongside  Visual J# compiler for compiling Java-language sources to Applications will, by default, use the version of the .NET Framework they were built with. Put simply, users can install the Visual Studio .NET 2002, enabling programmers to choose which Visual J# .NET .NET assemblies. version of the Framework they wish to target. For instance, a  Visual J# Upgrade Wizard for migrating Visual J++ 6.0 versions of the .NET Framework their applications were built with development team can develop maintenance releases for their Projects to Visual J# .NET. and can install later versions without changing the behaviour of Microsoft Visual J# .NET is a development tool for developers applications built with the .NET Framework 1.0 using Visual  Visual J# Binary Converter Tool for converting Java-language existing applications. Some examples: who are familiar with the Java-language syntax and want to Studio .NET 2002 while, in parallel, doing new development that bytecode to Microsoft IL.  An application built with the .NET Framework 1.0 that is build applications and services on the .NET Framework. It fully leverages the .NET Framework 1.1 using Visual Studio .NET 2003.  Independently developed class libraries designed to provide installed on a system with only the .NET Framework 1.1 integrates the Java-language syntax into the Visual Studio .NET the functionality of certain JDK 1.1.4 and 1.2 class libraries. present will run against the .NET Framework 1.1 unless the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), enabling Visual J#  The Windows Foundation Classes (WFC) for a smooth application explicitly disallows this behaviour. .NET programmers to use the Java language to build complete transition from Visual J++ 6.0 to Microsoft .NET.  An application built with the .NET Framework 1.0 that is Windows-based applications and Web solutions and services. It installed on a system with both the .NET Framework 1.1 and also supports functionality found in Microsoft Visual J++® 6.0, the .NET Framework 1.0 will run against the .NET Framework including Microsoft extensions such as JavaCOM and J/Direct® 1.0 unless an administrator changes the behaviour. API, providing a smooth transition path to Microsoft .NET.  An application built with the .NET Framework 1.1 that is

installed on a system with only the .NET Framework 1.0 will

not run unless an administrator changes the behaviour.

36 37

developers, Microsoft works with a number of third parties including: Reference Architectures include: Developer Community More information about MSDN Subscriptions can be  The .NET Code-Wise Community (www.gotdotnet.com/team/ – Microsoft Systems Architecture – Internet DataCenter. and Resources found online at: codewise) is a partner program designed to promote and – Reference Architecture for Commerce. http://msdn.com/subscriptions

educate third-party influential communities and leaders who – Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 Upgrade Series. While the .NET Framework and Visual Studio .NET documentation support .NET developers. This program includes trainers, – Microsoft Active Directory® Branch Office Guide.  MSDN Library delivers the latest technical content from is comprehensive and informative, developers often need to publishers, book authors and community Web sites. – Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 Hosting Series. Microsoft including over 1.8 GB of code samples, product interact with peers and experts in order to successfully complete  The International .NET User Group Association – Microsoft Content Integration Pack for Content documentation and programming information. their projects. Microsoft supports and encourages a burgeoning (www.ineta.org) is a non-profit, independent organisation that Management Server 2001.  MSDN Operating Systems delivers the Microsoft platforms community of .NET developers who routinely exchange ideas, supports the creation and success of .NET user groups around – SharePoint™ Portal Server 2001. and technical resources needed to test applications and assist one another and provide product feedback. Together the world. It ensures that .NET developers have the opportunity  Reference Building Blocks that address common technical Web Services. with Microsoft’s own internal developers, this community of to meet with peers and subject matter experts, so they reach challenges across a wide range of customer scenarios and  MSDN Professional delivers the development tools, .NET developers eases the transition to Microsoft .NET for the great content and great speakers offline. include tested, production quality source code to accelerate including Visual Studio .NET, Professional Edition, and inexperienced developer and supplements the knowledge of even development. Reference Building Blocks include: platform technologies needed to build and test applications the most practised programmer. Programmer resources – Data Access for .NET. and Web Services. Developer community – Exception Management in .NET.  MSDN Enterprise delivers the development tools, including

Microsoft Developer Network (MSDN®) Communities is a collection – Authentication in ASP.NET: .NET Security Guidance. Visual Studio .NET, Enterprise Developer Edition, five core Microsoft offers programmers a number of online and downloadable of resources that enables programmers to discuss Microsoft – Microsoft .NET/COM Migration and Interoperability. Windows Server System and platform technologies and resources from which they can glean best practices, architectural products, technologies and services with other programmers.  Operational Practices that offer guidance for deployment technical resources needed to build and test applications information and reference data on building mission-critical systems. In communicating with peers and experts in open forums, and operations of solutions in production environments and and Web Services. Written by Microsoft developers, the supplied information helps programmers gain a depth and breadth of knowledge that would which are based on the Microsoft IT life cycle Frameworks. architects and developers discover recommended procedures for  MSDN Universal delivers the most comprehensive set of otherwise be unavailable to them with product documentation Operational Practices include: constructing .NET-connected solutions. Microsoft software, including Visual Studio .NET Enterprise and technical support alone. MSDN Communities offer: – Microsoft Security Operations Guide for Windows 2000 Server. Architect, necessary to build and fully test applications and  Microsoft online newsgroups to enable programmers Microsoft Patterns and Practices – Microsoft Exchange Server 2000 Operations Guide. Web Services. to participate in a variety of conversations and discussions Microsoft provides guidance on best practices for constructing – Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Operations Guide.

about Microsoft products and technologies. http:// .NET-connected solutions to enterprise organisations so that – Backup and Restore for Internet DataCenter. Evaluation Option

msdn.microsoft.com/newsgroups/default.asp they may get a head start on their development. Through – Team Development with Visual Studio .NET Developers looking to evaluate Visual Studio .NET 2003 may

 MSDN-sponsored chats to give programmers an opportunity thousands of customer engagements, Microsoft has established and Visual SourceSafe®. download or order Visual Studio .NET 2003 Trial Edition. The 60-

to interact directly with members of the .NET Framework models that are also used by its internal product development day trial edition DVD offers equivalent features to Visual Studio Microsoft Developer Network .NET 2003, Professional Edition, and gives programmers an and Visual Studio development teams, as well as select teams, information technology group and consulting services (MSDN) Subscriptions industry experts organisation. With these guidelines, application building blocks opportunity to install, use and test Visual Studio .NET 2003. Once With demand for application development projects on the rise,  MSDN user groups – independently run volunteer groups and operational best practices, customers can quickly get up Visual Studio .NET 2003 is installed, programmers can write full- now is a critical time for developers to have access to the latest that meet on a regular basis in cities around the world to to speed on building solutions with the .NET Framework. To find featured .NET-connected applications with no limitations. development tools and technologies. MSDN® Subscriptions is a discuss and share information on a variety of technology out more about Microsoft Patterns and Practices please visit premier software service for developers providing priority access The Visual Studio .NET Trial Editions topics. More information can be found online at http://msdn.microsoft.com/practices. Microsoft Patterns and to over 1,000 continuously updated product downloads, DVDs or may be downloaded from: www.microsoft.com/australia/msdn/usergroups.asp Practices include: www.microsoft.com/australia/msdn/getvstrial CDs, with the latest tools and platform and server technologies.  that provide business requirements, Developers look to many other resources outside of Microsoft for Reference Architectures Developers and organisations may choose from several non-functional requirements and technical constraints for education, exchange of ideas and camaraderie. In order to ensure subscription levels to MSDN: the availability of objective and accurate information to .NET commonly occurring customer scenarios.

38 39

reusing their existing investments. Fuelled by economic and their mid-tier development skills easily on the data tier without Over the course of this product road map, Microsoft will innovate Visual Studio .NET technological pressures, businesses sought to address this changing the languages or techniques with which they code. rapidly in both tools and platforms, offering businesses now Product Road Map so-called “integration imperative”, tackling new projects while Plus, with enhancements to the graphical development and in the future best-of-breed platforms and superior tools

supporting old ones. environment in Visual Studio .NET and tight integration with with which to meet their evolving business needs. Microsoft Microsoft has been in the tools business for over 25 years, SQL Server “Yukon”, developers will have an unparalleled will continue its commitment to bringing people innovative, beginning with the company’s first product, Microsoft Basic, The February 2002 launch of the Microsoft .NET Framework and ability to build applications (for both Windows and the Web) productive tools to help them take maximum advantage of the released in 1975. While tools have gained incredible power and Visual Studio .NET marked an important milestone in the history that integrate the most powerful development tool with the underlying platform and achieve success while building powerful capability in the last quarter of a century, Microsoft has remained of software and developer tools. Of course, Visual Studio .NET most powerful data management platform. and effective software solutions. singularly focused on its overarching objective: to help developers introduced true tool integration, several languages, several tools

maximise productivity and functionality when building applications and several services, all hosted within one intuitive environment. Microsoft will use the “Visual Studio for Yukon” release to make Visual Studio .NET 2003 is the latest milestone in a long

for Microsoft platforms. Indeed, it is Microsoft’s mission to But, in addressing the integration imperative, Visual Studio .NET strides in all major dimensions of its tools vision, enabling users history of delivering innovative, productive and powerful tools

provide high-quality tools that support the efforts of millions of truly excelled. Built on a fabric of XML, the .NET Framework and to continue advancing their own development capabilities. While for programmers. Developers who begin writing .NET-connected

professional software architects, developers and testers. Visual Studio .NET effectively collect and manipulate data from a it is too early to know specific features, some of the themes being applications today will be uniquely positioned to take advantage variety of sources, regardless of platform. considered in the planning for “Visual Studio for Yukon” include: of numerous enhancements and exciting advances in the The beginning: Visual Studio 97  With “Visual coming years. Today, in concert with Windows Server 2003, Visual Studio .NET Tight integration and support for SQL Server. In looking to build high-quality tools, Microsoft listened to Studio for Yukon”,Visual Studio builds on tight SQL Server 2003 and the Windows .NET Framework 1.1 deliver a premier customers, each clamouring for tighter integration across Summary integration by providing for the design, development, debugging application development platform on which businesses can the myriad utilities, tools, servers and platform features they With Microsoft Windows Server 2003, the Windows .NET and deployment of applications hosted within SQL Server itself. effectively build, run and deploy their mission-critical systems. required. Visual Studio 97 enabled development teams to share Framework 1.1 and Visual Studio .NET 2003, Microsoft introduces  As Web Services become Including support for a variety of data sources, new Internet Extended support for Web Services. in large-scale projects across the entire development life cycle, the industry’s most scalable, reliable and productive application the core of enterprise architecture, Microsoft will deliver protocols and the growing population of communication, even when mixing components of various languages and using development platform. Windows Server 2003 delivers a robust advanced tool capabilities for designing and orchestrating entertainment and information access devices, Visual Studio various deployment architectures such as the Internet, Microsoft and powerful platform with integrated support for Web Services, multiple Web Services and integrating with a wide variety of .NET 2003 helps programmers meet the challenges of today and Windows and, increasingly, mobile devices. improved security and reliability and better performance for other enterprise assets and deployment environments. tomorrow while still integrating with the systems of yesterday. Web applications and services. The .NET Framework builds on Supporting the platform: Visual Studio 6.0  Continued language innovation. Microsoft will build on the What’s next: Visual Studio for Yukon the increased maturity and reliability of Windows Server 2003 Customers demand complete tool support with every new individual roles of each of its four languages and deepen their and offers programmers more trustworthy libraries and a faster The next major Microsoft platform release is SQL Server “Yukon.” Microsoft platform release. With the introduction of Windows synergies with the tool. platform for constructing mission-critical business systems. “Yukon” is the code name for the release of SQL Server that 2000, customers began large-scale enterprise deployments of  Office programmability. Microsoft will unify the programming Using Visual Studio .NET 2003, programmers can productively embeds the CLR, along with support for multiple programming Microsoft Windows server software, sparking a trend towards experience between Visual Studio .NET and Office, enabling construct applications for a range of deployment environments, languages, in the database engine itself. This means that distributed, heterogeneous architectures. In response, businesses developers to use Microsoft Office as the ultimate smart client from devices to datacenters and take advantage of a unified and software developers will now be able to use familiar languages looked to Microsoft Visual Studio 6.0 to unify this increasingly for Web Services. intuitive programming model. Together, the Microsoft application such as Microsoft Visual Basic .NET, Visual C# .NET and Visual complex application model. Visual Studio 6.0 provided an The “Visual Studio for Yukon” release will represent another development platform offers programmers the most trustworthy, J# .NET to develop their SQL Server stored procedures, improving integrated development environment with built-in data designers significant milestone. Following the “Yukon” wave, the next highest-performance, most productive environment for building and the flexibility and security of their applications. To support this and support for building multi-tier applications. planned platform update is the Windows release code-named deploying compelling software and services in a connected world. major platform release, a new version of the .NET Framework, “Longhorn”. A tools update, “Visual Studio for Longhorn,” will The XML revolution: Visual Studio .NET version 2.0, will be developed in parallel with a significant update support the managed interfaces, enhanced user interface Integration across languages and tools was only the beginning. to Visual Studio .NET itself, “Visual Studio for Yukon”. Developers soon demanded integration with legacy systems as features and other new capabilities of this updated platform. The integration between .NET technologies, SQL Server and they enthusiastically sought to embrace the trend towards secure, Microsoft development tools will represent a major enhancement reliable and distributed environments while simultaneously to developer productivity. Developers will be able to leverage

40 41

Choose your edition Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Case Studies

Australian Bureau of Statistics: Delivering the Future with .NET

Company Profile Visual Studio .NET Visual Studio .NET Visual Studio .NET As the nation’s official statistical organisation, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2003 Enterprise 2003 Enterprise 2003 Professional aims to encourage informed decision-making within both government and the broader We have always believed Architect Edition Developer Edition Edition that statistics have no value community by providing a high-quality, responsive and objective service. This service ‘‘ Build .NET Applications unless they have actually entails the production of relevant and timely statistics covering all aspects of Australia, Web Services    been used to make a decision. its economy and its people. On an average working day, the ABS produces four or five Windows Forms    The .NET technology is helping publications, such as the Consumer Price Index, employment levels, census data, Web Forms    us deliver more relevant and and so on. Their Web site has over 70,000 pages and is widely used by the Australian Mobile Web Forms    timely services to people who can use our data. .NET Framework and Common Language Runtime (CLR)    community to gain access to these statistical facts and figures. – Jonathan Palmer,’’ Chief Choose from Powerful and Productive Languages Headquartered in Canberra but with offices in all Australian capital cities, the ABS Information Officer, ABS Visual Basic .NET    employs around 3,500 people, including almost 450 Information Technology (IT) Visual C# .NET    professionals. Unlike many other Australian government agencies, the ABS own and    Visual C++ .NET operate their internal IT infrastructure and function on a fully cost-recovered basis. Organisation: Visual J# .NET    The Australian Bureau of Statistics Built-in support for additional programming languages    Business Scenario Leverage a Unified Integrated Development Environment As a government body that adopted the use of computing and IT very early, the ABS has Web address: RAD for the Server    assembled a diverse range of applications, platforms, architectures and toolsets over www.abs.gov.au Visual Studio .NET Debugger    the years. This long-term use of technology has evolved into a diverse portfolio of over Dynamic Help    Industry: 250 applications, making it difficult to maintain the necessary skill sets across the 200 Task List    or so people who look after these applications. Government HTML and XML Designers    Create Powerful Database Applications Within the organisation, there exists a diverse range of hardware, from Intel-based Business Scenario SQL Server 2000   servers, desktops and notebooks, to Sun Microsystems servers and a Fujitsu mainframe Summary system. Similarly, applications software ran across a mix of Microsoft Windows® 95 and Microsoft Data Engine (MSDE)    As the first non-military government Windows NT®, Sun Solaris, Lotus Notes SAS, and Oracle. Visio Database Modelling  agency to adopt the use of computers, Professional Visual Database Tools    Approximately 18 months ago, the ABS IT team came to the conclusion that, due to the ABS has assembled a diverse range Enterprise Life Cycle Tools the complexity of managing such a heterogeneous environment, it simply was not of hardware and software over the past Visual SourceSafe 6.0d   sustainable in the long term. However, these existing systems represented a significant 35 years, and currently maintains a Application Centre Test   investment. A solution was required which would enable ABS to continue to leverage diverse portfolio of over 250 individual Visio® UML application modelling  their existing investment in these legacy systems, yet provide a next -generation applications. This disparate environment Create Enterprise Templates and Frameworks  architecture from which future development could grow and reduce ongoing system represents a large investment, but is Use Enterprise Templates and Frameworks   life cycle costs. problematic to manage and is simply not Visual Studio Analyser   sustainable in the long term. Windows Server System Apart from simplifying their internal systems, the second challenge facing the ABS was Windows Server   to find ways of making their data more accessible to the community at large. Says David Windows 2000 Advanced Server   Bennison, Chief of Applications Group at the ABS, “We already have a very sophisticated SQL Server 2000   data warehouse with a lot of information in it, but it has not been easy to expose that to Commerce Server 2002   outside people. We wanted to put a service layer around that information warehouse so BizTalk® Server 2002  that our customers could easily get information out of it”. Exchange Server 2000   Host Integration Server 2000  

42 43

Business Solution Assemble and integrate The potential solution to these challenges lay in the concept of Component Interfaces Business Solution The reusable code aspect of the .NET solution was very important. Since Visual Benefits Summary and Web Services. These technologies enable a modular approach to creating software Summary Studio® .NET is object-oriented, the ABS found they could use it to easily build reusable Key benefits of .NET Web Services to which ‘‘clips together’’, much like building blocks. The important question to decide, After extensive in-house testing of all components, giving them the agility to meet changing business needs by assembling the ABS are: however, was which technology would best be used to create these building blocks? To the available Component Interface and integrating existing modules to create new functionality. Says Fitzpatrick, “We  The relatively easy development find the answer, the ABS had been running extensive in-house testing, where they had development environments, generating wanted to build our software so that it can be reused. We saw that a key factor in environment provided by Visual set up a prototype system called DeveloperWorks and were using it to test the relative numerous pilots and proof-ofconcepts, achieving that was to have Services Interfaces or Component Interfaces as part of our Studio .NET, and the successful role merits of the available development environments. They wanted to get a feel for the the .NET framework emerged as a infrastructure. We figured we could reduce the 250 or systems we already had down to it plays in unifying the ABS disparate interoperability, ease of use and overall effectiveness of each environment. They had superior development environment, a small number of categories. This then enabled us to specify system components for mix of platforms and vendors; started to look quite seriously at Java J2EE, although they found the Java environment both in terms of functionality, ease of applications, to the point where we could say: If you’re part of our business survey class, complicated and felt it required a significant amount of training before it could be use, and leverage of existing skill sets. for instance, then your system should use these components, and be put together in this  The choice of development languages used effectively. fashion”. It is this logical structure and development methodology that is enabling the it offers to programmers; ABS to derive significant benefits from the modular approach of .NET. Bryan Fitzpatrick, Chief Technology Officer, comments: ‘‘When we looked at Component  The ability to provide their customers with a methodology for Interfaces, there were several choices. We looked carefully at Websphere and J2EE, we Moving the outside inside looked at ActiveX® and CORBA and Enterprise Javabeans and we found ourselves with a ‘‘reaching into’’ ABS data to extract Microsoft’s Web Services are based on two important technologies – Simple Object bit of a dilemma. None of those solutions looked terribly attractive. We found Enterprise whatever is relevant to them, and Access Protocol (SOAP) and eXtensible Markup Language (XML). SOAP is used to deliver Javabeans very complex and we weren’t sure how they’d work across platforms, and it then delivering it automatically to the Web Service, while XML acts as the key technology underneath it. SOAP acts as was at that point we spoke with Microsoft and discovered Web Services and .NET.’’ their customer’s decision-making an intermediary protocol, providing a conduit for remote procedure calls between two systems; and It’s all about choices heterogeneous systems. Most of the talk about SOAP in the industry is focused on using it externally to deliver services across the Internet. However, the ABS saw a great deal  The improved level of service able The fundamental idea behind Web Services is to enable an organisation to reuse of scope to use it within the organisation, letting it operate as a key enabler in unifying to be offered to the ABS providers, pieces of code built by others, simplifying the way applications are built and providing their complex internal environment. Essentially, SOAP, XML and the concept of Web including a portal-style access to the a far greater degree of interoperability, flexibility and speed of development. To the IT Services are enabling the ABS to integrate their eclectic mix of hardware and software in ABS Web site. professionals within the ABS, the concept of Microsoft’s .NET framework for creating a way not previously possible. Web Services looked very appealing. The DeveloperWorks evaluation team set up some tests with an early beta release of Visual Studio .NET and found it to be a much simpler Benefits alternative to its Java competitor. Fitzpatrick continues, “As we looked into .NET, it was a Jonathan Palmer, ABS Chief Information Officer, observes, “We have always believed much more attractive proposition. Their approach seemed very sensible. It looked like it that statistics have no value unless they have actually been used to make a decision. would work well across multiple vendors and environments, as it was based on industry The .NET technology is helping us deliver more relevant and timely services to people standards, like XML”. who can use our data”. Most of the ABS statistical information is currently disseminated One of the key features of .NET is that it supports a choice of programming languages, as publications, spreadsheets and Web pages. Users go to the ABS site to access the enabling programmers to write code in their chosen language, and then compile the information they need. Armed with the possibilities of .NET Web Services, in the next code into a Web Service at the end. This leverages the existing skill set and experience phase of development the ABS is looking to establish the automated delivery of their within the organisation as no additional learning or resources need to be sourced, statistical services directly to businesses and other government agencies. They plan making programming faster and simpler. David Bennison sums it up by saying, “We were to provide ways to assist users in interpreting the raw data, from including helpful particularly impressed by .NET because of its ease of use and its relative simplicity. This metadata to providing rich data objects such as Excel spreadsheets and PivotTable®. means we can get our relatively large group of applications developers producing code These processes will enable decision-making based on the data to be simpler and much in a consistent manner. As a result, we can keep a lot of our costs down by resourcing more reliable. Using XML as a data exchange format, they see enormous possibilities for projects with people internally. From their perspective, they can easily understand the enabling outside organisations to plug into ABS data, integrating this data directly into business processes they are trying to solve as they know the organisation”. their management information systems to help make better, more informed and timely business decisions.

44 45

A win-win situation for providers According to Shapiro: “The .NET platform provides SFQ with a Microsoft .NET speeds up food Through Web Services, other exciting scenarios are now also possible. This includes the Microsoft Technology used: standardised means to connect to its food tracking and reporting safety regulation processes development of a concept called Provider Management Services, where providers, people  Visual Studio .NET information system for which integration is now quicker, easier who supply data by responding to ABS surveys, have a portal-style entry to the ABS site  .NET Framework and more flexible, whilst still retaining the security and control complete with access to online forms, help and assistance, as well as a direct link to  Safe Food Queensland goes digital to streamline food safety. the relevant ABS staff. This is an important acknowledgement that the gathering and they require.”  .NET solution cuts development time by 40 percent. dissemination of statistics is a two-way activity, and Web Services are able to present ABS  Queensland leads nation in food regulation industry. SFQ’s Chief Executive Officer, Barbara Wilson, says: “.NET is at customers with information which addresses the total relationship between both parties. the heart of the solution, dynamically integrating our current The response to this idea has been very favourable so far, with the ABS business partners Microsoft .NET and Web Services have solved a host of systems and creating a scalable and more agile business. excited by the construction of these sorts of services, enabling them to advance the way information management problems at Safe Food Queensland, they are able to do business together. “The value proposition for these scenarios is a win- It has enabled the efficient and sophisticated recording of all propelling the food regulator to the forefront of the industry. win one,” notes Palmer. “Our providers will find it easier to respond to our requests, and food safety schemes, streamlining our business process and

the cost to us in processing the statistics should be reduced significantly.” Devised by Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and leading minimising paper-based systems.” integration specialist, DCG, the solution is an architectural basis Making the right decision She adds that she is excited about the .NET solution’s potential for a Web-based mobile audit system that enables Safe Food The other important benefit is the support for multiple programming languages. Not only for deployment across the food industry, interstate regulatory is Microsoft’s .NET Framework the only one to offer complete integration across all of their Queensland (SFQ) to streamline its food safety process and organisations and other government departments. SFQ is in the disparate internal systems, it was far simpler to use and, unlike the alternatives, .NET offers information-tracking. programmers the choice and flexibility to leverage their existing programming expertise process of refining requirements to enhance its architectural basis. to build further applications. As David Bennison says, “We make these decisions very As well as ensuring the organisation’s compliance with new, carefully, over a long period of time, because we simply cannot afford to make mistakes. uniform food standards across Australia and New Zealand, the Very simply, .NET enables us to expose all of our Web Services across all of our platforms, solution automates SFQ’s hitherto inflexible, paper-based legacy and we’re dead sure we’ve made the right decision”. In a matter of months, the ABS was system, providing better, more cost-efficient ways of undertaking able to take a range of disparate systems and migrate them onto the .NET Framework. its entire licensing, audit and enforcement processes. Technology Once fully developed, the system would be deployed initially Visual Studio .NET is the key tool used to develop these solutions. Says Fitzpatrick, “Visual Studio .NET is easily the best environment for building Web Services that we’ve for SFQ’s 18 auditors and two managers, eventually linking up

seen. We liked the integration between the languages; it meant that you didn’t have to its 6,011 accreditation-holders including abbatoirs, butchers pick just one language – you could have two or three languages that were suitable for and field harvesters, among others. Users would be able to different people within the organisation”. Because it is based on industry standards, like access the system through a range of clients working on varying SOAP and XML, the .NET platform forms the ideal basis for future growth. computing platforms, sending and receiving data via a suite Maximising Success of .NET Web methods. The ABS has always regarded IT as an extremely strategic part of its operations – they are, after all, in the business of information. In the public sector, they are regarded as a DCG’s chief executive officer, Ben Shapiro, says .NET played a

thought leader in the application of IT. They have a lot of other organisations accessing vital role in the creation of the SFQ system. Two developers at how they do things, and are often engaged in discussions with other government DCG’s Brisbane headquarters worked on the project over seven agencies about strategic directions and technologies. The overwhelming feeling within the ABS is that .NET and Web Services are the key to the future. weeks and the .NET products are estimated to have reduced their development time by 40 percent. The Future Bennison sums up that vision for the future. “I seriously believe the next five years are going to be the most exciting times for us. Over the last 25 years, we have been engaged in solving large business problems, and now we feel that technology has finally caught up. With .NET we now have the technology to be able to actually do it, rather than just dream of doing it. I am quite confident that the things we have been chasing all this time will actually be within our reach within the next couple of years.”

46 47

Currently being implemented at 14 educational colleges, many Maximising Lessons in Global servicing overseas students, eMinerva will be brought on to a Australian .NET Connected Partners Education with .NET further 170 sites by June 2003. Visa, passport, attendance and

performance details are among the many records the system  Central, integrated solution for managing 800,000 While Microsoft is delivering the platform for building, hosting and deploying handles in a single repository that is easy to access and update student records. .NET-connected software solutions, partners are essential to providing the from anywhere. Students can check their details from overseas  Development time halved by .NET technologies. software that will interoperate with Web Services. These solutions enable on a browse-only portal.  200 educational and other institutions embrace eMinerva. customers to better integrate with their business partners, connect with their

“The modular nature of .NET’s object-oriented development own customers and provide the right information to their employees. Below Microsoft .NET has powered the redevelopment of a large-scale environment made it easier to carry out a rapid development is a list of companies in Australia that have completed the .NET connected student management system estimated to yield a “several approach to producing eMinerva,” Mr McNamara says. certification www.microsoft.com/net/logo/( ) and are offering products, hundredfold” return on investment for educational business software and services that share data or functionality with other applications solutions company and Microsoft partner, MXL. He said eMinerva Release 4.0 featured increased revenue potential through being available to foreign markets in their own using Web Services standards. The system, known as the eMinerva Release 4.0, is a true language, adaptable to other markets including businesses and breakthrough in technical solution delivery, according to MXL, available as a base module with additional modules for purchase. an Australian-based company with a worldwide distribution Risk was reduced through the provision of a compiled version network. The new version further boosts Australia’s thriving of all code to protect intellectual property, an industrially robust education export industry by enabling more efficient and flexible system with record-locking and database protection and a record management of up to 800,000 student records per year. status indicator to minimise risk of loss or over-write of client data. According to MXL’s technical director, Paul McNamara, the use

of .NET technologies – including Visual Studio .NET, C# and Aframe Ltd Anthem Mobile COSMOS 21+ www.aframe.com.au Technology ASP.NET – halved the development time of the project from www.cosmos21.org www.anthemsoftware.NET Aframe has developed easy-to-use 14 months to seven. The COSMOS 21+ Group is a provider applications which allow trainers, teachers Anthem Mobile Technology (AMT) of leading-edge customer loyalty and HR Managers to create and manage Mr McNamara says the “Release 4” system upgrade is 20 delivers the ability for your field team and retail electronic CRM systems the deployment of learning, training, to interact directly with your office and assessment, accreditation and survey aimed at allowing users to set up and percent faster than its predecessor and features increased office systems, removing the paper content to their trainees/employees/ administer their own fully customised trail, wherever they happen to be. AMT revenue potential, reduced risk, increased strategic value and students across the Internet, LAN/WAN loyalty program. The MyLoyalty system enables workers to use an existing or on stand-alone PCs. By automating is fully Web-enabled, allowing real-time improved efficiency for its many client institutions. telecommunications spectrum, (GPRS, the training and assessment process, loyalty transactions to be completed CDMA, WLAN and so on) to send, organisations can track and generate and allowing easy management of eMinerva automates and integrates all aspects of student receive, update and then automatically reports on training and assessment multi-site loyalty. Additional kiosk and integrate business-critical data into administration from the day they enter an institution until the time outcomes. Aframe provides the framework cashless purchase modules enhance for organisations to create and deploy any back office system from their PDA, the MyLoyalty system. With a major they receive their certificates. It also manages third-party providers attractive and engaging multimedia Laptop or Tablet device. AMT solutions focus on the use of technology to training and assessment content can be used anywhere, either “online” that deliver services, such as accommodation, to students. reduce the administration cost of without the need for advanced IT skills. or “offline”. AMT provides business e-CRM, the COSMOS 21+ Group is Applications are extremely versatile solutions for Field Service, Call Centre committed to developing the MyLoyalty and used in vocational training delivery Management, Asset Management, system to allow both large and small (competency-based assessment), school Mobile Sales, Transport and Couriers, organisations to reward customers and educational institutions, corporates for In-Store Retail Sales conducted as the and benefit from target marketing in-house training, induction and legislative representative moves around the shop initiatives. compliance programs, professional floor using PDAs, and Secure (128-bit) development programs and accreditation. wireless email.

48 49

Electronic Enterprise Pacific – firmHQ Loyalty Magic (LM) LTDnetwork Inc Monet Technologies Transaction Developers of www.firmhq.com www.loyalty-magic.com www.ltdnetwork.com www.virtualmonet.com Technology Pty Ltd netcat CMS firmHQ Pty Ltd is one of West The Loyalty Magic .NET Value LTDnetwork is a global leader in real- Monet (an acronym for Medicine On www.ettaccess.com.au www.NETcat.biz Australia’s most successful application Proposition. By increasing profits time Web page analysis. Focusing the Net) produces a broad range of Electronic Transaction Technology Enterprise Pacific is the country’s and Web development firms. Formed from existing customers through primarily on the retail Internet modular products specifically for the (ETT) is developing a new market in largest Australian-owned content in 1998, firmHQ has built Web sites communicating relevant offers to environment, LTDnetwork is able healthcare market. Collectively, these Secure Public Internet Access services, management software (CMS) company and online applications for some the right customer segment at the to dynamically provide information products combine to create a flexible, with its unique system, HotSpot. In – we provide world-class content, of Perth’s and Australia’s leading right time, using .NET technology, regarding products being displayed on workflow-driven information system 1998, the company recognised the business process and knowledge financial, educational and resource- LM is empowering its Retail and specific Web pages. This information environment that is at the forefront growing market need for a new kind management software and through based companies. firmHQ is now a Gaming clients in a significant way in includes product name, manufacturer of emerging healthcare business of public access Internet service and our channel partners provide leading Microsoft, Macromedia and three countries. As the relationship and price details. Potential uses processes. Monet products are built ® the fact that existing offerings in this medium and large organisations Adobe specialist, with leading-edge marketing solution leader in Retail and include “push” price comparison on leading-edge technologies from ® sector were falling a long way short of with the successful implementation skills in Microsoft C#, Visual Basic, Gaming, Loyalty Magic has a proven and marketing research. An example Microsoft. Core technologies include meeting both provider and consumer of comprehensive Knowledge SQL Server for the Enterprise, .NET, track record of contributing directly to of this technology can be seen in .NET, SOAP, XML, Visual Basic and C#. requirements. The company undertook Management solutions. Enterprise ASP and Flash to name a few, with a their clients’ return on investment in LTDnetwork’s price comparison Monet provides doctors and hospitals extensive market analysis, including Pacific has customers in most private number of key industry awards as a direct marketing using distributed .NET software, “intelliChoice”. with a tailor-made suite of tools that the running of Internet cafés and set sectors and in government within result. firmHQ has built its reputation technology. Access to Loyalty Magic’s are feature-rich yet allow data to about designing, from the ground up, Australia; we are also opening our around customised Web-based and .NET technology is driving these be highly mobile. All key functions a completely new approach to public first overseas office in the UK in intranet applications, with a focus on successful campaigns and is the basis required by medical clinics are catered access computing. The company is April, 2003. exceptional functionality and creative of their success, leading to world’s for, including: Patient Appointments now establishing its HotSpot solution graphic design. Current ideas of best practice in relationship marketing. (within the Clinic and through the across Australia and New Zealand, development include leading-edge Internet), Patient Billing and Electronic with distribution in North America, Web Services, Wireless and SMS- Medical Records. Asia and Europe. based applications.

Forefront Software KAZ Leadtec Systems nSynergy – LegalNet PlanTech Positive IT Solutions Services PtyLtd www.kaz.com.au Australia Pty. Ltd. www.nsynergy.com Consulting Group Pty Ltd www.forefront.com.au www.leadtec.com.au www.plantech.com.au www.positive.com.au KAZ is a leading provider of exceptional LegalNet will establish a common Forefront Software Services Pty Ltd business and technology services to Leadtec delivers business-to-business platform in the legal industry as a The PlanTech group, based in Melbourne, Positive IT Solutions is an Australian- is a Victorian-based, Australian-owned organisations and governments. We e-commerce solutions in the areas Legal Practice Management Tool. was established in June 1997. Our owned software house with 23 have experience across a wide variety company established in early of data transformation, catalogue LegalNet allows in-house corporate products assist financial advisers years’ experience in the industry. of industries including banking, finance, 1993 in order to exploit niche synchronisation, e-business connectivity, counsel to manage and report on to manage their businesses more We specialise in the development retail, manufacturing and utilities. KAZ marketing opportunities in the content and business rule validation their practice, individual matters and, effectively, provide meaningful and and marketing of Enterprise-Level is at the forefront of business process retail banking industry. and data mining solutions. Leadtec’s importantly, their collaboration with accurate advice to their clients and assist Workforce Automation software. This outsourcing – specialising in customer infrastructure has been fully developed external law firms. LegalNet also allows at the point of sale (POS) with respect software, known as e-tivity®, is a The company’s initial focus was contact centres, document imaging and under the Microsoft .NET Framework corporate counsel to manage non- to effecting financial transactions. pure Microsoft.NET application using migrating legacy IBM teller systems. processing and claims management to streamline and enhance our service legal staff who are involved in legal Our products span areas of financial all the features of this framework From the success and knowledge and processing. Our complete portfolio capabilities and to decrease deployment matters and will become an essential services: Adviser Solutions: CRM including full utilisation of remoting. of technology services, including and operational costs to our customers. gained globally, Forefront developed risk-management tool for every in- ® infrastructure facilities management and Solution for financial advisers, Practice Positive’s e-tivity product offers the concept of a low-risk teller Working with over 500 organisations house legal team. LegalNet uses the outsourcing, managed desktop services, Management modules, Research Web-based, fully scalable, electronic replacement system.The main features through the Asia-Pacific region to deliver very latest .NET, Web services and software for Life insurance and corporate timesheets, time and attendance, application development, technical tangible business benefits by facilitating of this system were to be flexibility, peer-to-peer technologies and delivers services, consulting and education, superannuation; Distribution Solutions: award interpretation, rostering, job ease of maintenance, freedom from the development and deployment means we have all your IT needs covered. cost and time savings to both in-house Commission/Brokerage and Compliance orders, leave management and billing proprietary systems, responsiveness to of their own community strategies, We are also recognised as a leading corporate counsel and law firms. Management solutions, POS Systems, modules, all of which integrate or business needs and easy integration Leadtec’s solutions are compliant to 3WC developer of software solutions for the standards and accredited by all major SmartPOS, the only integrated framework interface with third-party accounting with existing networks and host-based finance industry through our membership Australian retailers and automotive OEMs for point of sale, and application or payroll products. Previous workforce applications. Additionally, it was to administration products and document as well as being endorsed by industry fulfilment for the following financial automation products developed by this be developed in an environment that management solutions. standard bodies such as EAN Australia products (Life Insurance, Investments, team are now successfully running in would “future proof” it. TellerGraphic™ and AANX. Finance and General Insurance). over 15,000 sites worldwide. is the result.

50 51

Prism Protocom QMASTOR Ltd Theta Technologies Transcom Ultradata www.prism-int.com Development Systems www.qmastor.com.au www.thetatechnologies.com.au Software Inc. www.ultradata.com.au www.protocom.com www.transcomsoft.com Prism is an independent software QMASTOR provides a suite of bulk Theta Technologies is a leading developer Ultradata delivers inspired vendor specialising in the development Protocom Development Systems is material management information and provider of N Tier .NET solutions Transcom’s core vision is to address technology solutions to the of 100 percent Web architected a leading developer and provider of systems that allows mining, port, for medium to large organisations, the need for a new breed of computer fi nancial services industry. business automation systems. innovative network security solutions power generation and agricultural enterprises and Federal and State software to transform, into critical Established in 1977, Ultradata has governments. Theta Technologies Founded in 1991, we have over 11 for medium to large organisations, companies to maximise their business intelligence, the vast amounts remained the key technology partner specialises in a comprehensive years’ experience in the design, enterprises and governments worldwide. profi tability through the effi cient use of of information accessible through the to a large proportion of the Asia-Pacifi c suite of .NET applications covering implementation and support of Protocom specialises in comprehensive their resources. QMASTOR’s systems Internet. The Company offers a suite fi nancial services industry ever since. Auditing, Quality Assurance Document mid- to high-end business automation password management with a unique, are integrated into the day-to-day of advanced knowledge management We have a deep understanding of the Management, Training, OH&S, Supply systems. Our product for the holistic approach. The Protocom Password running of bulk material businesses, software solutions in two key areas: industry that is refl ected in the quality Management Suite of products enhances Chain, Greenhouse, Hazard Analysis eXtensible ENterprise (X.EN), offers managing transactions throughout the 1) For the Enterprise – Colony has of our service and the success of our security, lowers administration costs and and Environmental issues. All Q-Suite a library of components to support operations, logistics and marketing been developed to add intelligent data products. Our scope or services improves employee productivity. Protocom applications are designed as paperless extended enterprise business process functions. With core competencies in management components potentially include retail banking, custodial, SecureLogin Single Sign-On, recommended systems through the implementation management including e-business bulk material movement, quality and into every desktop, server, mobile investment management, unit trust, by SC Magazine, is a key component of our exclusive electronic form design and e-commerce style activities. While supply chain management and .NET device, software application and self-managed superannuation, of the Password Management Suite. and generic data capture technology. offering full feature products in ERP2, software development, QMASTOR is operating system; 2) For Developers workfl ow and Web-related software Founded in 1989 Protocom Development Founded in 1996, Theta Technologies CRM, Finance and Workfl ow verticals, well-positioned to take advantage – Rapid Development Platform is a plus associated consulting, Systems has offi ces in North America, is headquartered in Brisbane and has our customer-focused modelling of the benefi ts of Microsoft’s Visual implementation, support, Europe, United Kingdom, South Africa representatives in all mainland capitals. framework-based system for developing approach lets the customer determine Studio .NET 2003 in adding value to developments and technical services. and Australia. For Protocom’s complete For complete product information, enterprise level applications. The RDP which elements are needed to manage our clients’ businesses. The scope of our product range allows product and application specifi cations, visit visit www.thetatechnologies.com.au or system allows the rapid adoption of their business. clients to easily adapt their technology www.protocom.com or contact us at contact us at [email protected] new technologies by supplying fi eld- www.protocom.com/contactsales ies.com.au or on + 61 733 50 5500. tested templates coded to best practice environments as they diversify into standards. new markets.

ReverseTech Superior Software Technology One Winapp Pty Ltd Wireless IP www.reversetech.com for Windows Limited www.winapp.com.au Technology www.ssw.com.au www.techone.com.au www.connectix.com.au Get .NET converted: Convert your Winapp is a highly qualifi ed software GUPTA applications to .NET and Superior Software for Windows can Technology One is recognised as one development company, specialising Wireless IP Technology is a specialist boost your customer reach and IT transform your business capabilities of Australasia’s leading software and in application development for organisation that delivers end-to- effectiveness. Reverse Tech’s unique through its knowledge and experience services companies and is focused on Microsoft Windows and the Internet end wireless software solutions that automated technology has been of Microsoft’s market-leading the design, development, implementation using Microsoft technologies. Winapp integrate seamlessly to fi nancial and proven through parsing many millions technologies. From Networking, and support of intelligent enterprise-wide is an accredited Microsoft Certifi ed ERP, Customer Management, supply of lines of GUPTA code. Let our highly developer training and developer software applications using Internet, Partner and has been successfully chain and/or product development skilled consultants take you through utilities to custom-designed software e-business and client server technologies delivering professional services systems, connecting mobile employees the managed conversion process applications, SSW solutions utilise for both corporate and government. In and applications to clients since to critical business information and particular, they deliver totally integrated, that will accelerate your applications the latest Microsoft technologies, 1992. The staff at Winapp are all processes for (real-time) immediate powerful enterprise solutions developed and staff to the leading-edge .NET including: Microsoft .NET Framework, degree qualifi ed and individually action and resolution. Our Field to meet the specifi c requirements of Framework, at a fraction of the cost of ASP .NET, Visual Basic .NET and C#, accredited by Microsoft. Clients Service, Sales Automation and vertical markets, including: Financial manual methods. Get .NET connected SQL Server and Access, Exchange include: PricewaterhouseCoopers, Customer Management products Management and Accounting, Retail, – Enquire about Compli™, Reverse Server 2000, SharePoint Portal Server the Department of Finance and are extremely innovative, utilising Wholesale and Distribution, HR Tech’s fl agship .NET connected and Networking and ISA Server. Deutsche Bank. development environments such the Management, Higher Education and solution for environmental waste SSW’s unique eXtreme Programming .NET Compact Framework. Universities and Local Government. management. Get .NET constructed Development Method ensures you get Technology One also provides large- – discuss your .NET mentoring and value for money at every stage of the scale, fi xed time, fi xed-price customised development needs with Reverse development life cycle, underpinning software development services through Tech’s experienced .NET specialists. SSW’s belief that software solutions its Project Services group as well as Call +613-9614-1760 or visit must deliver business advantages from facilities management and outsourcing www.reversetech.com the very fi rst step. support services, tailored to the specifi c needs Wireless IP Technology of each client.

52 53

Microsoft SQL Server 2000 Microsoft Exchange Server 2003

With the release of Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition and SQL Server 2000 (64-bit) includes a 64-bit database server, a 64-bit Microsoft® Exchange Server 2003 will deliver breakthrough What’s New for IT Managers

® Datacenter Edition (64-bit), Microsoft will be releasing Microsoft server agent and 64-bit analysis server for OLAP and data mining. advances in system performance and information worker IT managers will appreciate the advances in security, scalability SQL Server® 2000 Enterprise Edition (64-bit) to provide full database productivity. Building on Windows Server 2003, Exchange Customers from many scenarios will experience the performance and reliability that will both lower the costs of managing an management services for 64-bit servers. Optimised for the Intel® Server 2003 will provide new and enhanced features for both enhancements and greater scalability that SQL Server 2000 Exchange-based communications infrastructure and make it easier Itanium 2 and AMD Opteron processor to run on the 64-bit versions Information Workers and IT Managers (64-bit) will bring to their large-scale, mission-critical database to deliver mission-critical messaging and collaboration services. of the Windows Server 2003 family, SQL Server 2000 (64-bit)  applications, including: What’s New for Information Workers Next wave of server consolidation. Exchange 2000 enabled delivers exceptional performance and scalability for the most an initial wave of server consolidation through more intelligent  Large scale e-commerce applications with high levels of Information workers will be able to get their work done more demanding workloads. Microsoft’s commitment to 64-bit expands use of server and storage resources. Exchange Server 2003 concurrent users. quickly because this new version of Exchange and Microsoft the scalability options for fast-growing companies and opens a initiates a second wave of server consolidation based on:  Large data warehouses and analysis applications. Office Outlook 2003 will work together to deliver consistently new chapter in high-end database computing at a fraction of  Microsoft Windows Server 2003 services that support  Global scale Web Services that drive a high OLTP workload. efficient access to personal business information, independent the cost of UNIX-based solutions on the market today. Volume Shadow Copy service.  Database and application server consolidation. of network characteristics. Mobile device users will find it easier  Instantaneous backup and restore that removes one of Enterprise-Class Scalability  Hosting scenarios. than ever to stay up to date with the information flowing into the practical limits to the number of users supported on a Enterprise-class database software from Microsoft, SQL Server their office mailboxes. For further information, please visit www.microsoft.com/sql single server – the time it takes to back up the mail storage. 2000 (64-bit) is built to take advantage of hardware enhancements  Optimised experience with Outlook 2003. The new Outlook  Volume Shadow Copy service that enables online backup of the 64-bit platform. It offers higher levels of single-system 2003 user interface makes it faster and easier for information of Exchange Storage Groups, so there’s no need to take scalability for memory-intensive data applications, such as large- workers to optimise their email messages. Enhancements systems offline. scale e-commerce, data warehousing and analytics. With 64-bit in the way this new version and Outlook work together  Faster and more reliable synchronisation. The client-to- servers in the market today that support up to 256 GB of RAM, dramatically improve the performance of Outlook over low server communication protocol has been rewritten and SQL Server 2000 (64-bit) takes advantage of the advanced memory or fluctuating bandwidth conditions. optimised for an impressive gain in efficiency. These addressing capability to support the rapid growth of mission-critical  OWA feels more like Outlook. Information workers rely on efficiency gains help to deliver faster and consistent client applications and data support demanded by enterprises today. Outlook Web Access (OWA) to reach their personal business performance without the expense of equipping remote And with the ability to install up to 16 database engine instances on information from any computer connected to the Internet. offices with additional servers to run Exchange. a single server, Microsoft offers the best economics of managing With Exchange Server 2003, OWA will feature the same new  Outlook 2003 cache mode. Because Outlook 2003 operates multiples of these types of high-end applications. interface as Outlook 2003, providing users with a consistent primarily on its own cached copy of a user’s mailbox, fewer experience from wherever they are connecting. In addition to Database applications with memory-sensitive workloads that requests are made to the server, reducing the server load per improvements in the areas of security and performance, OWA require working data sets larger than 4 GB to be loaded in user and enabling more users to be supported per server. supports more functionality, including checking spelling, task memory will benefit from the higher memory support of the  management and protection against junk email messages. Security. A number of important improvements have been 64-bit platform. In addition, the 64-bit platform may result in  More options for mobile access and synchronisation. Mobile made to increase the security of the Exchange system across input/output savings due to larger memory buffer pools. For users will be able to gain access to their information from a several different fronts. low-end Datacenter implementations (4-processor servers or  greatly expanded set of mobile devices, thanks to support for Default settings for all system variables are selected to less), users will see a reasonable performance improvement on iMode, cHTML and WAP 2.0 micro-browsers. maximise system security. a 64-bit implementation over a 32-bit implementation. Higher

performance gains are expected for higher-scale implementations

(8- to 32-processor servers).

54 55

 OWA now uses cookie authentication and connection time-  By adding Windows Server 2003, remote procedure calls ® ® ® out processes to help eliminate the likelihood of security (RPC) over HTTPS tunnelling securely connect Outlook 2003 Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft ® breaches through unattended browsers. Additionally, OWA clients with Exchange Server 2003 without the need for a VPN. Visual Studio .NET 2003 Launch Sponsors supports sending email messages by using the S/MIME  Availability and manageability. Exchange Server 2003 will The launch of Windows Server 2003 and Visual Studio .NET integrators and independent software vendors to create security protocol. support up to eight-node clustering when running on Windows 2003 would not be a success without our best-of-breed partners. business value and solutions using Microsoft technologies.  VSAPI, the virus-scanning API, has been improved to give Server 2003, Enterprise Edition, or Windows Server 2003, The tremendous success of this launch is great testimony to Following is further information about solutions and offerings administrators more deployment options. New junk email Datacenter Edition, helping to ensure outstanding availability. the long-term Microsoft strategy of enabling partners, system our launch partners provide. message protection capabilities, including support for  Server integration. This new version will include the Exchange

connection filtering based on real-time blacklists, inbound Management Pack for Microsoft Operations Manager. In

recipient filtering and beacon-blocking, provide greater combination with Microsoft Operations Manager and the

protection from unsolicited messages. In addition, VSAPI instrumentation built into Exchange Server 2003 and Outlook

doesn’t just run on mail servers – anti-virus software can now 2003, the Management Pack automates system monitoring. Platform Partner

run on Exchange gateway and bridgehead servers as well. Easy upgrades. New tools for moving from Microsoft Windows NT and  Support for Internet Protocol security (IPSec) for securing Exchange Server 5.5 to Windows Server 2003 and Exchange Server interfaces and servers. 2003 include Active Directory directory service validation tools.

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Australian Windows Server 2003 JDP

102 103

Gold Certified Partners Beacon IT CITEC Citrix www.beaconit.com.au www.citec.com.au www.citrix.com.au

Beacon IT Australia is a member of CITEC is a national Australian-owned Citrix Systems, Inc. is a global leader Alphawest Aspect Computing Clariti Pty Ltd the Beacon Group with offices spread Information and Communications in virtual workplace software and across Asia Pacific. Beacon designs www.alphawest.com.au www.aspect.com.au www.clariti.com.au Technology (ICT) outsourcing provider services that provide access to and deploys planning and reporting with over 600 employees located applications, information, processes Alphawest is one of Australia’s Aspect Computing Pty Ltd is a With expertise in high-availability systems for leading companies across Australia. For over 35 years, and people on any device, over any premier IT solutions companies. leading global provider of Information systems, security, thin client and institutions bringing together CITEC has specialised in delivering network, anywhere, at any time. Citrix We provide systems integration Technology, software services and technologies and network technologies through strategic integrated and proven ICT solutions. makes today’s digital office completely solutions across Information products with over 2,500 employees infrastructure and support, Clariti partnerships such as Microsoft and We combine leading-edge technology, virtual -- instead of having to go to Comshare. Beacon’s experience in Management, Infrastructure and throughout Australia. Aspect is part of works closely with organisations established techniques, innovative your office, the office follows you. More providing organisations with the best Business Continuity, to business, the largest Australian-owned IT group, whose technology platforms are critical concepts and individual expertise to than 120,000 companies worldwide of breed technology, methodology government and education the KAZ Group of companies. Our to their business success. With our achieve seamless, practical business use Citrix® Solutions for the Virtual and expertise is unrivalled, with organisations. Alphawest excels ability to understand our customer’s high level of technical and commercial solutions. Supporting clients’ ICT Workplace to give users more mobility, over 35 years of experience. Today, in aligning IT systems with a business needs and deliver innovative proficiency and a successful track business requirements to produce to give IT organisations more flexibility Microsoft recognises Beacon IT for company’s business goals for the IT solutions matching those needs record in delivering quality results, a realistic and focused outcome is and reduce the cost of computing. demonstrated customer satisfaction creation of genuine business value has enabled us to build a reputation our goal is to build long-term business with previous business intelligence central to our business philosophy. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, and enjoys strong partnerships with of excellence and quality across the relationships by creating a value deployments. This distinction brings Our product offerings include Florida, Citrix is traded on the Nasdaq leading organisations Australia-wide. industry. In becoming a Microsoft Gold proposition with our clients. value to the Microsoft Gold Certified infrastructure management; business Stock MarketSM under the symbol Alphawest is Australian owned, partner, we have been recognised for Partner Program in the Business process outsourcing and applications CTXS and is part of the Standard & employs over 450 staff and has our ability to deliver sound, quality Intelligence (BI) category and makes management; information brokerage; Poor’s 500 Index. offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, solutions for our customers. it clear that Beacon IT has the skills and professional services. Melbourne, Hobart, Adelaide, Perth, and experience to provide high-quality Bunbury and Singapore. Business Intelligence solutions.

80-20 Avanade Bay Technologies ComOps Limited Custom Business Datum www.80-20.com.au www.avanade.com www.baytech.com.au www.comops.com.au Solutions www.datum.com.au www.custombizsolutions.com 80-20 Software is a leading provider Avanade is the premier global Bay Technologies is a dual Microsoft ComOps develop and implement Datum delivers innovative business of enterprise document management technology integrator for Microsoft Gold Partner specialising in the business solutions for the Microsoft Custom Biz is about solving business solutions and emergent information and search software, offering scalable solutions in the enterprise. Our Agile Operating Environment™ (AOE). platform. These systems include problems by working with our clients technologies to customers around the solutions for the management of technology infrastructure and .NET The AOE provides our customers leading-edge Business Intelligence, to determine the issues. Most projects globe. With over ten years of experience unstructured data for corporations in application development solutions the capability to permanently break e-Commerce, Enterprise Resource we take on are based on Microsoft® in the implementation of business three key areas: content management; have underpinned hundreds of the major and costly SOE upgrade Planning and Sales Force Automation. SQL Server™. intelligence and data warehousing search; and personal productivity. customer projects worldwide. Avanade cycles in favour of a progressive, Our position as a Microsoft Gold We specialise in Data Warehousing solutions, Datum is a market leader in 80-20 Leaders Online, 80-20 Document is a joint venture between Microsoft customer-driven, agile Microsoft Certified Partner allows ComOps and BI with the Microsoft tools and the deployment of Business Intelligence Manager and the 80-20 One Search and Accenture. Avanade creates infrastructure. Bay does this by to offer a valued business alliance in .NET Framework development solutions with Microsoft® SQL Server™. Suite, allow companies to profile and value for its customers by leveraging applying business process intelligence to our customers. This is achieved where our decades of OOP experience Datum’s range of services and store and then search and retrieve any Microsoft enterprise technology and to your infrastructure and extracting through the provision of innovative makes the difference. Our clients are solutions also encompass business document across an entire enterprise. designing, building and deploying the latent and powerful capabilities business performance management Corporate and Government bodies consulting, Content Management, 80-20 provides its products to over 400 customised, reliable architectures and of your Microsoft platforms. If you’re solutions and services to support the who recognise our credentials and CRM, Financial Solutions, Web-based corporations in various industries in scalable infrastructures to increase looking for a way to position and justify specialised requirements of experience. We build more browser- application integration and customised which customers include ABN Amro, ANZ profitability, improve speed-to-market the value of IT infrastructure to your each customer. based interfaces to systems (OLTP or application development. Bank, AstraZeneca, Australian Defence and accelerate growth. In addition, business rather than be seen as a cost OLAP) than fat Win32 applications Department, Koch Industries, KPMG, only Avanade is focused exclusively on overhead, consider there is a new way: these days but have plenty of ™ Telstra, U.S. Under Secretary of Defense helping customers optimise existing the Agile Operating Environment . experience in both. We analyse, and Warburg Pincus. and future Microsoft investments design, develop, test, train, deploy and across the connected enterprise. maintain as we live, breathe and train Avanade is a Microsoft Gold Certified the Software Development Life Cycle. partner for Collaborative Solutions.

104 105

DBAssociates Denver Technology Dimension Data f5 FileNet Corporation Fusion Technology www.sqllitespeed.com (Australia) Pty Ltd Australia www.f5.com.au www.filenet.com.au Group www.denver.com.au www.didata.com.au www.fusiongrp.com DBAssociates are the developers f5 is a software developer specialising FileNet Corporation can help of SQLLiteSpeed, the fastest, most Established in 1989, Denver Technology Dimension Data Australia is Australia’s in solutions that empower business, organisations make better decisions by Fusion Technology Group provides secure and cost-effective way to has built an enviable reputation in leading end-to-end systems integrator and marketing and sales managers to managing the content and processes Risk Insight and Portfolio Insight to backup your Microsoft® SQL Server™ the marketplace, specialising in provides technical expertise together with operate more efficiently. We recognise that drive their business. FileNet’s Institutional Banks around the world Database. If you use SQL Server then infrastructure, communications legendary customer service to produce that successful communication with Enterprise Content Management including Europe, Canada, US and you should invest in SQLLiteSpeed; and security consulting, support, practical and efficient business solutions. existing and potential customers (ECM) solutions allow customers Australia. Risk Insight provides loan it will save you time, money and administration and project services Dimension Data believes that Microsoft® is the lifeline of any organisation to build and sustain competitive pricing at origination based over the protect your data with 128-bit security. in Western Australia and Queensland. Windows® Server 2003 provides the and that technology can help these advantage by managing content Web using leading Credit Risk and Transurban, Bendigo Bank, Microsoft, Denver’s consulting services include fundamental infrastructure for the reliable, line-of-business managers achieve throughout their organisations, Portfolio Models – including Moodys Unisys and many more trust the enterprise infrastructure design, secure and cost-effective delivery for a more with less. f5’s solutions aim to automating and streamlining their KMV Portfolio Manager. Portfolio Insight safety of their SQL Server backups to specification, implementation and range of data and applications. To ensure deliver rich communications to end business processes and providing the provides sector-based stress testing SQLLiteSpeed as this gives them the operation. As a Microsoft Gold Partner customers maximise ongoing benefit, customers – communication that is full spectrum of connectivity needed and “SmartCalcs” and “Smart Agents”, peace of mind, knowing that their data for Enterprise Systems, Denver is an Dimension Data has taken its market- efficient, personalised and engaging. to simplify their critical and everyday uniquely powerful and innovative tools is secure and can be recovered quickly innovative and progressive IT solutions leading Managed Operating Environment We achieve this by combining decision-making. FileNet ECM for Active Portfolio Management. in the case of a disaster. provider that continually demonstrates framework and incorporated life cycle the very best in communications, solutions deliver a comprehensive For more information, please contact its ability to deliver business based services. The result is the Managed customer relationship and intelligence set of capabilities that integrate with Gabriel Tan at +61.414.295.124 or value to its clients. Services Environment – which provides a management server software into a existing information systems to provide email: [email protected] solutions framework around the life cycle cohesive platform. A cornerstone of cost-effective solutions that solve real- of Windows infrastructure from business our solution range is the new Microsoft world business problems. justification through to operational CRM server product for which we are a management thus value-adding reseller and integrator. maximising performance and realiability whilst minimising cost.

Elcom Epicor Expert Information Getronics Australia Infra Corporation KAZ Computer www.elcom.com.au www.epicor.com.au Systems Pty Ltd www.infra.com.au Services www.expertis.com.au www.getronics.com.au www.kaz.com.au The Elcom team comprises innovative Epicor is a leading provider of integrated Infra Corporation develops infraEnterprise, and experienced professionals enterprise and e-business software Expert Information Services is Getronics is an acknowledged a 100 percent Web-based Enterprise KAZ is a solutions-focused technology solutions for mid-market companies. dedicated to providing superior Australia’s leading IT service provider leader in planning, implementing Service Management solution, that services provider. Our clients benefit Epicor has over 15,000 customers and technology solutions. Working within specialising in the design, integration, and managing all aspects of ICT comprehensively covers key ITIL from our vast knowledge of technology continues to deliver end-to-end, industry- the Microsoft development framework, building and configuration of business infrastructure. With more than 100 processes, including Incident Management, and its application across many specific solutions that enable companies we create scalable and extendable Problem Management, Configuration to immediately improve business solutions utilising Microsoft .NET and offices and service locations, Getronics industries including government, solutions. Our products are developed Management, Change Management and operations and build competitive J2EE technologies. We specialise in covers every corner of Australia. pharmaceutical, manufacturing, specifically to leverage off the advantage in today’s Internet economy. building complex business systems Getronics’s offering is based upon a Service Agreement Management. The distribution, banking, insurance, efficiencies of the Microsoft platform. Epicor’s comprehensive suite of that are Web-enabled, scalable, full range of ICT services, including solution supports a full Customer Portal superannuation, financial and retail. We have a history of excellence, integrated software solutions for reliable, secure, manageable and Infrastructure management, security that includes self help, scripting and KAZ has extensive qualified expertise producing technology solutions on time Customer Relationship Management, easily integrate within an enterprise, at solutions, network and desktop knowledge bank features. Infra’s software in bringing together disparate systems and on budget. Our many high-profile Financials, Manufacturing, Supply Chain the lowest possible total cost. We use outsourcing, solutions for integrated solution has been implemented in over and managing complex projects. solutions for customers, such as e-tax Management, Professional Services technologies from leading technology voice and data, solutions for balancing 500 sites in over 20 countries. Key KAZ is a Microsoft Gold Certified Automation and Collaborative Commerce for the Australian Taxation Office, are vendors, such as Microsoft, IBM and performance and business solutions industry sectors are banking and finance, Partner for Enterprise Systems and provide the scalability and flexibility to testimony to our capability to develop Oracle, to ensure that we incorporate integration. Getronics Australia is a technology and government. The has a reputation for delivering quality support long-term growth. Epicor’s secure systems of the highest quality. the most relevant advances in Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for integration platform, based on a .NET Web Microsoft solutions for medium to solutions are complemented by a full We welcome opportunities to work with services architecture, supports strong range of services, providing single point technology into every solution we enterprise systems. large organisations. KAZ boasts a new clients on solutions that improve integration with AD and SMS. Enterprise of accountability to promote rapid return deliver. Expert’s clients include some depth of knowledge and experience in their business with a fast ROI. on investment and low total cost of of Australia’s largest corporations features including partitioning, language Microsoft® Windows® upgrades, Active ownership, now and in the future. including Telstra, National Australia support and time-zoning make Directory® design, server consolidation Bank, Australia Post, ANZ Bank, BP Oil infraEnterprise an effective solution and desktop rollouts. and Sharp Corporation. for corporations providing global service management.

106 107

Legato ManageSoft NetOptions Pty Ltd Prima Consulting Professional Quest Software www.legato.com.au Corporation www.NEToptions.com.au www.prc.com.au Advantage www.quest.com www.managesoft.com.au www.professionaladvantage.com.au LEGATO Systems Inc. offers true Our services range from customised Prima Consulting provides ICT Quest Software enables IT managers information management solutions ManageSoft delivers a powerful development through to network professional services to major Professional Advantage provides and administrators to fulfil the for customers by providing the best automated software management design and large scale deployments. business and government institutions mid-sized companies with a choice unique expectations of their software products, professional and solution for medium to large We pride ourselves on partnering within our three core Service Streams: of leading brand business systems organisations with products and support services. “LEGATO’s leadership organisations. ManageSoft cuts with clients to truly understand the – Business Intelligence (Microsoft Gold to meet their financial, distribution, services that simplify the solutions to protect, manage and corporate IT costs through best- business need, enabling us to deliver Partner), Portals and ERP+. Prima business intelligence, e-business, management and improve provide access to business-critical practice management of software a best practice solution based around is a Microsoft Technology Specialist retail and customer relationship the performance of Microsoft® information are enhanced by the assets (based on ITIL/MOF the Microsoft Solutions Framework. with particular focus on Business management requirements. The Windows®, Exchange and Active availability of Microsoft® Windows® standards) and delivers competitive We develop and maintain long-term Intelligence and Collaborative company supports these with a Directory®. Tools available from Server 2003,” said David Wright, advantage with policy-based control relationships with our clients and are solutions. Prima personnel undergo complete range of IT services, Quest include management, President and CEO Legato Systems Inc. of software deployment, licence proud to be a wholly Australian owned, continual training on new technologies including consulting, project migration, reporting, monitoring, “By working with Microsoft, LEGATO management, IT asset tracking and Microsoft managed Gold Partner. and business practices. Prima has management, training, support, analysis and diagnostics. will deliver a portfolio of products to Windows deployment for fixed and We would welcome the opportunity developed many Microsoft-based development and systems integration. provide customers with reliable and mobile computers around the globe. to work with you to deliver innovative solutions in the key business areas of Professional Advantage operates with scalable information management ManageSoft is the only software solutions based on the Microsoft CRM, financial and physical planning, separate specialist teams that provide solutions deployed on the Windows configuration management solution suite of products. business performance measurement, Epicor, Microsoft Business Solutions Server 2003 platform, creating built from the ground up on Microsoft human resource management and and SunSystems-based solutions. dependable IT infrastructures and Active Directory®. ManageSoft legal matter management. Founded in 1989, today the company fast return on investments.” Corporation is a Microsoft Gold has nearly 200 staff in its Melbourne, Certified Partner. Sydney and US offices. Through the years, Professional Advantage has won many awards from each of its vendors.

™

OBS PowerServe PRAXA SDM System Solutions Trend Micro www.obs.com.au www.powerserve.com.au www.sdm.com.au Pty Ltd www.trendmicro.com www.praxa.com.au www.syssol.com.au OBS is a leading specialist in Business PowerServe is a full service provider SDM is a Microsoft Gold Certified Trend Micro™ Incorporated is a global Praxa Limited (Praxa) is a leading to Employee Infrastructure and (FSP) of integrated, end-to-end Partner in BI. We provide Microsoft leader in antivirus and content security Australian IT professional services For more than 20 years, System applications using Microsoft products. e-business services for the global Solutions for Business via: software and services. Founded in organisation with a 21-year history Solutions has been delivering innovative We focus on helping businesses use enterprise market. Our capabilities and cost-effective telex, fax, voice and 1988, the company led the migration of providing business-critical 1. SQL Server™ database design and technology to improve communication, combine Digital Strategy, Creative mobile messaging and communications of virus protection from the desktop information technology solutions to support, data warehousing (DTS, SQL, leverage business information and Design, Technical Delivery, as well solutions with the Australian designed to the network server and the Internet financial, corporate and government Analysis Services, BI Accelerator), encourage a knowledge-sharing culture. as Managed Services. We call this and developed MESSAGEmanager. gateway – gaining a reputation for organisations. Praxa has over 10 years’ Notification Server, Business As Asia-Pacific’s first Microsoft Gold capability our Full Service Model, We have focused all our energies vision and technological innovation experience in developing solutions on Intelligence (Aladdin – a front-end BI Partner, OBS is a recognised leader in designed to meet all your business integrating MESSAGEmanager with along the way. Today, Trend Micro the Microsoft platform and has won tool at http://aladdin.sdm.com.au); combining business and technology needs. With core competencies specialises in high-performance, numerous Microsoft Partner awards. all popular ERP, CRM, Mail Mini to build quality solutions that offer focusing on the enablement of online server-based virus protection with Praxa is now a leading provider of 2. .NET and Web application and Mainframe applications such excellent value to our customers. With initiatives, our commitment is to utilise advanced management capabilities, Microsoft .NET solutions in Australia, development and Systems integration as Microsoft Exchange, SAP, JDE, great people, great ideas and specialist the best technology available to deliver ® ® scalable for any size enterprise, large recently assisting in the development (Microsoft Visual Studio .NET, MSMQ, Domino, GroupWise and SMTP expertise, OBS can help your business world-class business solutions. ® or small, as well as to home users. IDC of one of the largest .NET portals in BizTalk and Web Services) and; Mail . MESSAGEmanager users are get more from your information located around the world and include recognises Trend Micro as the global We are arguably Australia’s leading the world. Praxa has also been working 3. We install, configure and customise technology investment. many Australian customers. Today, leader in server-based anti-virus with and most successful FSP and have in the area of Business Intelligence for Project 2002, SharePoint and CMS. MESSAGEmanager is certified for dominant global market share at the professionals in four cities located five years and in 2002 was recognised Windows 2000 and is integrated with Internet Gateway. (IDC 2002 report). across two continents with further as a Microsoft Gold Partner for Microsoft CRM, Microsoft Web Services expansion expected in the near future. Business Intelligence. and runs on Windows XP and Windows Server 2003.

108

Unique World Volante WiredCity www.uniqueworld.NET www.volante.com.au www.wiredcity.com.au

Unique World specialises in helping Volante are a Large Account Reseller With over 10,000 PI Systems installed organisations leverage Web-based and an official Enterprise Software worldwide, WiredCity is the leading technology to create more productive Adviser. Authorised to sell and provider of software for enterprise ways of doing business. Areas of administer the Microsoft Open Licence performance management to the excellence include strategic planning Program, Select and Enterprise global Information Technology and of Web solutions, the integration Agreement license contracts and Professional Service Group industry. of Web Services into legacy implement the best possible Microsoft Business Agent, WiredCity’s Remote systems, Microsoft application product solutions through our highly Network Monitoring Product offers server development and custom trained and experienced software superior service for Small Medium .NET application development. team and technical engineers. The Business, Network Service Providers Unique World is a government- advantages that Volante bring to and IP Telephony Integrators. endorsed supplier and is the only organisations in the area of licensing WiredCity’s Web services enabled organisation in Australia to be have been recognised by awarding software products are used to build certified as a Microsoft Gold Certified Volante a Worldwide Microsoft enterprise-wide real-time information Partner in both E-Commerce and Certified Partner Anti-Piracy Award in management systems, integrating Collaborative Solutions. 2001 and as the Asia-Pacific finalist product life cycle management, for the same worldwide award in capacity planning, real-time diagnostic/ 2002. Nationally, Volante specialise troubleshooting and network and in building the best customised systems monitoring. Customers utilising solutions for your organisation, using WiredCity’s software include Cisco all Microsoft applications and the Systems, USA and Australia; Ericsson; technology surrounding them. and Water Corporation to name a few.

Zap Technology Gold Certified Partner Program www.zaptechnology.com Microsoft Certified Partners all have commitment and expertise in one ZAP Technology Pty Ltd (ZAPTECH) is or more specialised areas, and focus on the medium to large enterprise an Australian BI Solutions Provider. We have developed ZAP.BI Suite, customer-market. Benefits of the Gold Certified Partner Program include a reporting and analysis platform exclusive branding, enhanced licensing (for internal use, demonstration, designed to provide secure, intuitive access to Microsoft’s® SQL Server™ development and training), prioritised access to technical and marketing 2000 Analysis Services. At ZAPTECH, we embrace the concept of Light information including advanced training and special events and prioritised Analytics, supporting the majority of referrals. To find out how to become a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, users’ requirements for managed reporting and mainstream OLAP please visit www.microsoft.com/australia/partners interactivity, without the costly burden of traditional desktop OLAP tools. Our browser-based, zero-footprint technology is equally suitable for large- scale enterprise deployments and for smaller SME deployments. For a free 60-day evaluation copy of ZAP.BI Suite, please point your browser to http: //www.zaptechnology.com/demo.html Microsoft Windows Server 2003 and Microsoft Visual Studio .NET 2003 Launch Guide

©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, the Microsoft logo, the Microsoft .NET connected logo, Active Directory, ActiveX, BizTalk, DirectX, IntelliSense, J/Direct, MSDN, Outlook, SharePoint, SourceSafe, SQL Server, Visio, Visual Basic,Visual C#, Visual C++,Visual J#,Visual J++, Visual Studio, the Visual Studio .NET logo, Windows and the Windows logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Do more with less.

Paper produced with recycled fibre content. MIC5161 4/03