Windows Server 2008 Delayed, Again
 Joe Wilcox
When it comes to Microsoft release dates, I don't believe in coincidence. Same day as Microsoft announced Vista Service Pack 1 timing, Windows Server 2008 RTM was delayed. |
Microsoft has now pushed back Windows Server 2008 release to manufacturing to the first quarter. Release to manufacturing had been expected by the end of this year. The change foreshadows that the new server software will not likely be broadly available for its scheduled Feb. 27, 2008 launch.
Already, Microsoft delayed SQL Server 2008 availability until later in 2008, even though the software launches with the new version of Windows Server. For businesses planning network and infrastructure upgrades with Microsoft software, this second delay is bad news. Microsoft suffers, too, as Windows Server 2008 is viewed by many analysts as a catalyst for Office 2007 and Windows Vista upgrades, and SQL Server 2008 is crucial to delivery of Microsoft's business intelligence platform.
Microsoft delivered the RTM delay news via the Windows Server Weblog.
"Windows Server 2008, which we have been saying would Release to Manufacturing by the end of the calendar year, is now slated to RTM in the first quarter of calendar year 2008," the post reads. "As one of our leading program managers, Alex Hinrichs, told me, 'it's like a brisket I it just needs a little more time to bake. And you should try his brisket!'"
Brisket? More time to bake? How about delivering on time?
I've been writing about Microsoft for more than a decade, and over the years consistent patterns of behavior are discernible. Bad news usually isn't given all at once—it's parlayed out piecemeal. Bad news also is sometimes basked in the glow of good or better news.
Windows Server 2008 delivery slippage has been ongoing. The software had been expected to be available this year, then RTM this year. Now RTM is delayed, and that raises huge doubts about whether Windows Server 2008 will be broadly available in February. My prediction: Not.
Enterprises planning Windows Server 2008 upgrades—and particularly coordinated Office 2007 and Windows Vista deployments—should reconsider their plans. Realistic availability, meaning broadly now looks like second quarter 2008.
Related Posts:
- Yes, Virginia, There is a Service Pack 1, Microsoft Watch, August 29, 2007
- Mac Office Loses Its Mojo, Microsoft Watch, August 2, 2007
- It's Official: An Unofficial Delay, Microsoft Watch, July 10, 2007
- Got IIS 7.0?, Microsoft Watch, June 27, 2008
- Uh-Oh! No Vista SP1 This Year?, Microsoft Watch, June 20, 2007
- Windows Server at the Core, Microsoft Watch, June 5, 2007
- 'Longhorn' Server Comes When?, Microsoft Watch, June 5, 2007
- 'Longhorn' Named Windows Server 2008, Microsoft Watch, May 15, 2007
- Microsoft's Big Bang is When?, Microsoft Watch, April, 26, 2007
- Viridian Delay Foreshadows What About Windows 'Longhorn' Server?, Microsoft Watch, April 12, 2007
- Windows Server Takes the Lead, Microsoft Watch, Nov. 16, 2006
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Comments (8)
I think a turkey analogy is more appropriate, but brisket is also a good way to describe the code base. Layers of saturated fat and tough, stringy meat. I'm sure the "chefs" in Redmond have seasoned it well with DRM-SG and a pinch of BS for even more flavor.
Yum!
Posted by Vegan | August 29, 2007 3:05 PM
Joe, I agree! Coincidences they are not.
... if they can't use VCSY's patent #7076521, it won't happen then either. More delays to come, softies. More delays to come.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/microsoft/?p=683
"It just won?t be this year, as originally expected."
Are you ALL really that dense and gullible?
Posted by I-Man | August 29, 2007 3:17 PM
Windows 2008 was delayed once. This is the first time. Get your facts together...
Posted by evan | August 29, 2007 3:57 PM
I guess crApple never delays anything. Oh wait.........
Posted by Scott | August 29, 2007 5:56 PM
Joe, Micrsoft have been delaying a number of its products. But you are so excited like a school kid to explore
But if you keep digging on the issue of delay as your entry of your column , the readers are expected to see your column to fill with the following entry in future :
1) Microsoft Windows 2008 delay again
2) Microsoft SQL Server 2008 delay
3) Microsoft PerformancePoint Server delay
4) Microsoft Exchange 2009 delay
5) Microsoft Windows 2011 delay
Please do not post any more of this kind of delay news, it is and it will not be excited anymore.
It is just a news, it is not a comment , we expect to read your comment on your column
Posted by Eder | August 29, 2007 9:31 PM
Eder,
Apple does not delay anything because usually they do not announce initial proejct plans unless the product is almost ready. One the announce a plan a little in advance for the next MAC OS X and it was delayed. Joe is the only reporter in the planet that thinks that windows 2008 was delayed twice.
Posted by evan | August 30, 2007 1:48 AM
I just love the way they headlined the postponement news on their blog as a "Timing Update".
Posted by Lawrence D'Oliveiro | August 31, 2007 4:31 AM
Joe,
I'm unclear why you believe that either PerformancePoint Server 2007 &/or SQL Server 2008 have slipped.
The PerformancePoint Team have regularly hit all the internal milestones for the CTP Releases. They are slightly ahead of schedule at present & expect it to be signed off before the end of this month. Need to add the usual 4-10 weeks for manufacturing to produce volumes of DVDs & get them to the world.
Similarly the SQL Server 2008 team are also on track, have consistantly shipped the CTPs (+/- 1 wk) of their timeline and have never changed their publically announced date of end H1CY 2008.
Yes they did adjust their internal schedule early 06 when they changed VP's due to Paul Flessner's retirement. But that was due to new VP Ted Kummert wanting a slightly different set of features in the product.
Yes you can debate the merits of "Launching" SQL 2008 at the March event when they know it will be 2-3 mths before they plan to finish it. Clearly launch events cost big money to run & getting people out of their office to attend is a big ask, so having people talk on Windows 2008, Visual Studio 2008 & SQL 2008 at the same event kinda makes sense.
Whether you agree with the marketing approach is not important. Was is important is that both PerformancePoint & SQL Server 2008 have not slipped & both look like they will ship on or before the dates the teams predicted over 2.5 years ago.
Posted by David Lean | September 6, 2007 10:16 PM