Click here to receive your FREE subscription to Campus Technology
News
WoW: Microsoft, Cisco Continue to Cozy Up
10/6/2008
The ongoing relationship between Cisco Systems and Microsoft has become even closer, according to recent news that the Windows Server on WAAS (WoW)-- an appliance that merges Cisco's Wide Area Applications Services with Microsoft Windows Server 2008--is available to order.
The two companies announced a product in February designed to consolidate networks and IT branch servers into a single piece of hardware called a Branch Office Box (BOB). BOB is designed to simplify branch office IT operations and a Microsoft blog said the appliance is now available to order. For its part, Cisco placed a "social media release" on its Web site citing positive customer and analyst responses to the product.
Jim Curtis, director of infrastructure for Farm Credit Services of Mid-America, was quoted in the news release that WoW, which has been working in a laboratory environment, "has met all our expectations." Mark Showers, CIO of Monsanto, said that the "collaboration between two of my top vendors is absolutely exciting as it allows me to focus on delivering value to the business while performing less integration of technology." And Steve Howarth, product manager at Cable & Wireless, confirmed that his company "extensively tested Windows Server on WAAS" and knows it's a "stable environment."
The release also included an endorsement from Peter Christy, co-founder of the Internet Research Group. Christy stated that WoW "reflects a very meaningful partnership between Cisco and Microsoft and their joint commitment to their many mutual customers."
Microsoft and Cisco are both collaborators and competitors in various markets, but the two companies released an interview statement last month in which executives promised broad interoperability support.
"It is fair to say that both companies are aggressive growth engines, so there's going to be overlap in certain markets where we are looking to help our mutual customers," stated Kathy Hill Cisco's senior vice president. "In markets where we intersect like the connected home, unified communications and security, we've made a conscious decision to take extra steps to improve the interoperability of our products for the benefit of customers."
Jim Barthold is a freelance writer based in Delanco, NJ covering a variety of technology subjects. He can be reached at jimbarthold@comcast.net.
Cite this Site
copy text (above) for proper citation
Recommended Reading
- Moodle Gets SCORM Improvements, Security Fixes
New versions of Moodle have been released, bringing the most recent stable build to 1.9.3. The latest round of updates includes a number of bug fixes and security enhancements, as well as improvements to the SCORM module.
- Free 'Morro' Antivirus To Replace Microsoft OneCare
Microsoft is rolling out a free antivirus software program for consumers that will compete with products made by Symantec and McAfee. Code-named "Morro," the AV app is expected to be available by the end of 2009.
- Microsoft Demos New SQL Server Features at PASS
Microsoft Wednesday previewed the ability to centrally manage applications and resources in the planned upgrade of SQL Server, code-named "Kilimanjaro."
- Microsoft Unveils Exchange and SharePoint as Services
Microsoft exec Stephen Elop on Monday announced two hosted solutions from Microsoft--Exchange Online and SharePoint Online--which are now available to organizations of all sizes in the United States. The software, paid for by annual subscriptions, is hosted on Microsoft's servers and supported by Microsoft's channel partners.
- 6 Ways Not To Become Rote Using Instructional Technology
There are, in my experience, six strategies to consider with any use of technology that will guard against rote use of technology and facilitate critical analysis of teaching and learning effectiveness. In this article, I'll share with you the checklist I work with and encourage others to work with in learning about and using new technology.
- Bringing Student Web "Stuff" to Campus Enterprise Systems
How can an institution incorporate Web 2.0 learning opportunities for students, and evidence of learning from those opportunities, into existing campus technologies and processes? PlugJam is providing part of the answer.
