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Jul. 11, 2008

Microsoft said Wednesday it will ship its SQL Server 2008 next month. The software giant disclosed the news at the MWPC 2008 (Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference) in Houston.

Speaking at the show, Bob Kelly, corporate vice president of the Microsoft Server and Tools division, said that Microsoft will launch its end-to-end virtualization stack in an event for press and analysts on September 8, 2008.

The company also said it will release SQL Server 2008 Web Edition, a version of SQL Server that specifically targets Web hosting for the first time.

Microsoft says its new Web Edition will offer "highly scalable hosting at a competitive price for developers and small to medium-sized businesses."

The company had originally planned to offer only 5 editions - the free-for-download Express and Compact Editions, as well as Workgroup, Standard and Enterprise.

Microsoft first previewed SQL Server 2008 five months ago to thousands of customers and partners globally. Since then, SQL Server 2008 has been twice postponed, leaving customers to work in the meantime with the Community Technology Preview and release copies of the server's code.

Microsoft says the CTPs and RC have attracted more than 250,000 downloads. In the meantime, the company says it will release Windows Small Business Server 2008 and Windows Essential Business Server 2008 July 17 as Release Candidate 1, with Software development kits to be released July 30.

Microsoft also announced at the Conference that about 550 partners and system integrators have since enrolled in the Microsoft Software Services Incubation Center Program since its launch almost two years ago.

The final product launch for the new Windows server operating system targeting mid-sized businesses and a new version of its small-business server software is planned for the fourth quarter.

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Source: Microsoft Corp..